Fishing Union Lake, NJ

AKA: Union Lake Wildlife Management Area

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 6, 2026.

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Union Lake, NJ

Popular Fish Species

Largemouth Bass

Union Lake offers fishing for largemouth bass, and it is considered one of the top bass lakes in the state. Currently, largemouth bass are thriving here 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.

Black Crappie

Fishing for black crappie is very popular here. In winter, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of crappie. Union Lake maintains a plentiful population of black crappie, which are fat and healthy this year. 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.

Yellow Perch

Union Lake continues to offer exciting fishing for yellow perch, especially in winter when ice fishing. They make for an excellent fish fry, are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake, and they are fun to catch. In winter ice fishing is quite popular. Fishing for yellow perch is quite simple. Their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. They tend to gather in small groups and hang out around structure and cover, or along drop-offs. Use light line, a small hook, and sinker. Bait the hook with minnows, worms or small plastics. Using a bobber helps set the proper depth.

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Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white perch, yellow perch and chain pickerel at Union Lake in New Jersey.

Union Lake is a 900-acre lake in the south-central part of the state. Anglers can check out about 10 miles of shoreline.

Fishing report for Union Lake