Fishing Sycamore Lake in Salem County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Sycamore Lake stands in Salem County, New Jersey. It sits 9.3 miles in from the sea. Surface area runs to about 18 acres — small enough to read in one session. Alloway at 1.5 miles is the nearest place to stop. Philadelphia sits 29 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Sycamore Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Fish documented in Salem County include bluegill, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass, chain pickerel and redbreast sunfish. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Treat Sycamore Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 76°F, while January sits near 32°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Sycamore Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is a car park 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. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Alloway Lake sits 1.2 miles off and takes the overflow. For Sycamore Lake in particular, ask before you travel.