Sunset Lake, New Jersey: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in Monmouth County, New Jersey, sits Sunset Lake. The water sits 20 feet up. At 13 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is low-lying compared with other New Jersey water we list. Asbury Park sits 0.5 miles from the bank. It is 24 miles to Staten Island, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sunset Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Fish documented in Monmouth County include bluegill, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and white perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Sunset Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 75°F at the top of summer and 31°F at the bottom of winter. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It holds true on Sunset Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Deal Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Sunset Lake carry more weight than any list.