Fishing Waterloo Lakes in Sussex County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Waterloo Lakes lies in Sussex County, New Jersey. The ground round it is rolling hill. At about 32 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. For supplies, Stanhope is 2.4 miles out. For a city, Paterson is 30 miles off. Near neighbours include: Jefferson Lake 1.1 miles away, Frenches Pond within 1.2 miles, Cranberry Lake 2.4 miles away, Deer Park Pond within 2.5 miles and Lake Tranquility 2.9 miles away. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Waterloo Lakes

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Across Sussex County, recorded fish include brook trout, brown trout and walleye. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Take Waterloo Lakes a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 71°F in July and bottom out at 25°F in January. In milder years the surface never sets. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. The season on Waterloo Lakes follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Jefferson Lake, 1.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at Waterloo Lakes as something to verify.