Go Fishing in NJ!

New Jersey offers more than 400 publicly accessible lakes, ponds, and reservoirs where families can fish.

child fishing

The trout are biting! There are more than 400 public lakes, ponds and reservoirs in New Jersey where families can cast a line and see what comes back. You’ll need a fishing rod, and bait, of course, but if you’re under 16 you don’t need a fishing license, though older anglers have to have one (a seasonal license is $22.50 and you can buy it at sporting stores or local bait shops). Visit the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife website for a full list of waterways and up-to-date info. 

Bergen

Dahnert’s Lake, Garfield 

Wild Duck Pond, Saddle River County Park, Ridgewood

Saddle River County Park, Ridgewood

Essex

Grover Cleveland Park Pond, Caldwell

Verona Park Lake, Verona

Mercer

Lake Mercer, Mercer County Park, West Windsor 

Rosedale Lake, Rosedale Park, Hopewell Township

Middlesex

Manalapan Lake, Thompson Park, Monroe Township

Roosevelt Park Pond, Edison Township 

Morris

Sunrise Lake, Lewis Morris County Park, Morristown 

Saffin Pond, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Jefferson Township (Note: restrooms not nearby) 

Passaic

Barbour Pond, Garret Mountain Reservation, Paterson/Woodland Park area 

Somerset

Mettlers Pond, Powder Mill Pond, and Spooky Brook Pond, Colonial Park, East Millstone 

Union

Echo Lake (Upper and Lower), Mountainside 

Warinanco Park Pond, Roselle 

Visit the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife website for a full list of waterways 
and up-to-date fishing info. 

Where's your favorite spot to fish in NJ? Please share below!

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