Guide To Great Trout Fishing Locations In New Jersey

All about fishing for rainbow, brook, brown and lake trout in area lakes and streams.

Trout Waters

Rockaway River and many of the major lakes including Lake Hopatcong, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, Oak Ridge Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir, Swartswood Lake and Wanaque Reservoir have one or more species of trout. Consider ice fishing for trout in winter at some of these fisheries. Many other streams, rivers and some ponds also contain trout.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Select the best trout lures and baits

Trout spinners, crankbaits and jerkbaits work well for shallow, reasonably active fish. Salmon eggs, worms and prepared baits will work at virtually all depths.

New Jersey State Record Trout

The state record rainbow trout was caught from Lake Hopatcong.

The state record brook trout was taken out of the Rockaway River.

The state record brown trout came from Round Valley Reservoir.

The state record lake trout was caught in Round Valley Reservoir.

Click here to find a list of New Jersey waters stocked with trout. Watch trout fishing videos to see trout anglers in action.

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Browns are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts.

Additional trout information

Trout Conservation
Trout Unlimited

Trout locations and info, by state.