Reynolds Lake in Sussex County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Sussex County, New Jersey, sits Reynolds Lake. The bank is 591 feet above sea level. It covers about 15 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The town to know is Newton, 2.2 miles out. The big place round here is Paterson, 31 miles distant. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Reynolds Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Species logged across Sussex County include brook trout, brown trout and walleye. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Reynolds Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 71°F and January near 25°F on the long-run figures. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan around that when you fish Reynolds Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Hortons Pond is 2.2 miles off. For Reynolds Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.