Fishing at Sylvan Lake, Monmouth County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Out in Monmouth County, New Jersey, sits Sylvan Lake. The sea is 1.9 miles distant. About 17 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Ground here is low by New Jersey standards. For a base, Avon-by-the-Sea sits 0.2 miles out. Staten Island is the closest city, 26 miles away. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Sylvan Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Fish documented in Monmouth County include bluegill, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Sylvan Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 75°F; by January the average is down near 31°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Sylvan Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. A marina sits 0.9 miles off, so fuel and a proper ramp are close. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Fletcher Lake is 0.9 miles distant. Check the position on Sylvan Lake before loading the car.