Fishing Monksville Reservoir, NJ

AKA: Long Pond Ironworks Lake

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 6, 2026.

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Monksville Reservoir, NJ

Popular Fish Species

Walleye

The NJDEP, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife continues to provide great fishing for walleye in Monksville Reservoir. Walleye are often difficult to locate, but it can be rewarding when you find them. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, they stay close by schools of baitfish. They tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Muskie

Monksville Reservoir was home to the current state record muskie. Fishing for Muskellunge in Monksville Reservoir could provide a trophy fish on any given cast. Thanks to great fishery management by New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, giant musky roam these waters and are aggressive eaters. Muskie are spectacular fighters. Use a strong rod in medium to heavy action, with heavy line - 20# or heavier. Because of their sharp teeth, steel leaders are highly recommended. Muskie have a big mouth so use big baits, same baits you would use for bass but in larger sizes. Topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work well for hungry muskie. The best time of year to chase these big fish is Spring, and then again in Fall as the water temperature starts cooling.

Largemouth Bass

Fishing in Monksville Reservoir for largemouth bass can be boom or bust. Currently, largemouth bass are doing well 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.

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Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white perch, yellow perch and muskie at Monksville Reservoir in New Jersey.

Located within Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Monksville Reservoir is a 500-acre lake with a variety of fish species.

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