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.
Trout Species In The State
Rainbow trout
World record: 42 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 13 lbs 0 oz
Brook trout
World record: 14 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 7 lbs 3 oz
Brown trout
World record: 40 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 21 lbs 6 oz
Lake trout
World record: 72 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 32 lbs 8 oz
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.
The habits of trout.
Trout are considered some of the most difficult fish to fool. Once you locate New Jersey waters with a population of trout, the challenge becomes identifying trout flies and lures that will trigger strikes. Visit the trout fishing page to learn more about the habitat each of the trouts prefer.
NEW JERSEY

