Fishing Manasquan Reservoir, NJ

AKA: Lake Manasquan

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 6, 2026.

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Manasquan Reservoir, NJ

Popular Fish Species

Largemouth Bass

Fishing for largemouth bass is the main draw here. Smallmouth bass are also present. Currently, largemouth bass are thriving in Manasquan Reservoir due to fertile water, and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure. Once the lake ices over, it's a good time to pursue other species.

Hybrid Striped Bass

Locals enjoy fishing for hybrid striped bass, aka wipers or sunshine bass. Hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Manasquan Reservoir, as they are plentiful and grow to bragging size. Fishing for hybrid stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and schools of hybrid striped bass are likely to be in the area. Fish finders improve your odds of locating both bait and wipers. Live bait is very very effective here, and these chubby fish can be caught in good numbers.

Black Crappie

Black crappie reside in good numbers throughout Manasquan Reservoir. In winter, ice fishing is popular. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time of day to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Crappie always like cover and structure, so seek out brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the shallow to mid depths. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

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Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, chain pickerel and tiger muskie at Manasquan Reservoir in New Jersey.

Manasquan Reservoir 770-acre reservoir with about 8 miles of shoreline, some of which is accessible for shoreline fishing-particularly along the 5-mile perimeter trail. Bass, hybrid stripers and crappie are the main draw here. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake.