Shongum Lake in Morris County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Shongum Lake lies in Morris County, New Jersey. The ground round it is farm and woodlot. The water covers some 70 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 1.7 miles keeps the choices simple. It ranks high for size among our Morris County listings. Start from Randolph, 2.2 miles down the road. Paterson is the closest city, 20 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Shongum Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Morris County records list brown trout, brook trout, northern pike and bluegill among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Shongum Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 26°F to 72°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. The season on Shongum Lake follows the weather closely. Spring warms the shallows first, so start there.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is a slipway on the shore, half a mile from the water we list. The closest car park is 0.9 miles away, so pack accordingly. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. This sits inside Hidden Valley Park, so read the reserve notices first. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The position on Shongum Lake is worth confirming on the day.