Recreation Area Fishing near Oakland, New Jersey

• Overview

  Look for Recreation Area in the Bergen County part of New Jersey. It sits at 220 feet above sea level. Oakland lies 0.7 miles from the water. Haskell follows at 1.9 miles, then Pompton Lakes at 2 miles. Alternatives close at hand: Ramapo Lake some 1 mile off, Crystal Lake 1.2 miles away, Pompton Lakes some 1.5 miles off, Mirror Lake 1.5 miles away and Hoppers Lake some 1.7 miles off. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Recreation Area

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Bergen County include bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown trout, largemouth bass and common carp. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Treat Recreation Area as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 27°F in January up to 73°F in July. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It holds true on Recreation Area more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is a slipway on the shore, 30 yards from the water we list. A parking area is marked roughly 110 yards out. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. Potash Lake Recreation Area covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Ramapo Lake, 1 mile away. Nothing here settles the position at Recreation Area for certain.