Fishing Sunrise Lake in Morris County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Sunrise Lake is set in Morris County, New Jersey. It sits 21 miles in from the sea. For a base, Mendham sits 3 miles out. The big place round here is Elizabeth, 19 miles distant. Also worth knowing: Clyde Potts Reservoir some 2.4 miles off, Mount Kemble Lake 3.3 miles away, Spring Lake some 3.4 miles off, Cromwell Lake 3.6 miles away and Speedwell Lake some 3.6 miles off. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Sunrise Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Across Morris County, recorded fish include brown trout, brook trout, northern pike, bluegill and rainbow trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Sunrise Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 27°F to 72°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan around that when you fish Sunrise Lake. Wind direction changes which bank is worth fishing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Parking is close: a car park sits 140 yards from the bank. Fishing from a pier is possible 90 yards away. Mapping shows a picnic spot within half a mile. There is a toilet block some 110 yards out. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Clyde Potts Reservoir, 2.4 miles out. Treat Sunrise Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.