Rainbow Lake Fishing in Cumberland County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Rainbow Lake sits in Cumberland County, out in New Jersey. The coast is 15 miles away. It runs to roughly 76 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The whole outline is near 1.4 miles, and most of it is walkable. Size puts it in the front rank of our Cumberland County list. The closest town, Rosenhayn, is 1.3 miles away. It is 32 miles to Philadelphia, the nearest city. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Rainbow Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Cumberland County records list largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel and yellow perch among the fish reported. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Fish Rainbow Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 76°F in July and bottom out at 32°F in January. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Rainbow Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Thundergust Lake sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. For Rainbow Lake in particular, ask before you travel.