Taylor Lake near Short Hills: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Essex County end of New Jersey holds Taylor Lake. It sits 10 miles in from the sea. The water measures roughly 15 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Short Hills sits 0.6 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Newark is the closest city, 8.7 miles away. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Taylor Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Species logged across Essex County include pumpkinseed, bluegill, largemouth bass, common carp and goldfish. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Taylor Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 74°F; the cold one sits at 28°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It holds true on Taylor Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Canoe Brook Reservoir Number 1 at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Taylor Lake as something to verify.