Fishing Report For Union Lake, NJ

Current Report: Fair To Good

Union Lake has an exceptional amount of vegetation, which is ideal cover for largemouth bass. The lake has smallmouth bass as well.

FALL. Now that late Fall taking over, bass are moving out of shallow coves and shallow bays, following schools of baitfish back into 4 to 12 feet of water. Currently jerkbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, artificial worms, spoons and jigs are catching most of the bass. Many local anglers are throwing stick worms, rigged Texas style or wacky style, around the vegetation, stumps, and rocky shorelines toward the dam. Later in Fall, as deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons, jigs and drop shots are often good choices in 8 to 12 feet of water.

WINTER. Winter will isolate largemouth around slightly deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. They can be found from 10 to 22 feet deep, around main-lake channel edges, rock piles, stump fields and brush piles. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations are key to getting bites. On warmer days, especially during late afternoons, bass may move shallower to feed.

SPRING. Locals report good topwater action with buzzbaits and frogs, once the water temperature rises into the 50's. When these bass won't rise for topwater, vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits are popular, and catch a lot of fish. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water nearby spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 2 to 12 feet of water, around docks, protected flats, coves, and vegetation, preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 2 to 5 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water, around 6 to 12 feet deep. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms, jigs, worms, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they will be caught in 4 to 15 feet of water, on square-bill crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on shad, herring, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 8 to 15 feet deep. Some of the best reports seem to be from anglers fishing around weed lines, any type of shade, and submerged timber.

Current Report: Good

Crappie find the brush, stumps and vegetation in Union Lake, much to their liking. This thick cover also enhances their growth with both fertile water and cover. Locals report fishing has been good with plenty of slabs running over a pound.

FALL. Baitfish have moved out of shallow flats, coves and bays, and have drawn crappie back into deeper water again. Decent crappie are being caught while feeding heavily, in preparation for the cold Winter. Anglers report that 8 to 12 feet of water is where most bites are coming. Minnows, hair jigs, and crappie jigs, are good options during this feeding marathon. Late fall starts the migration deeper, toward winter holding areas, for both crappie and baitfish. Small flutter spoons, fished in 10 to 12 feet of water, are a good option during this transition. Good results are coming around points, creek channels, and brush piles.

WINTER. Once the shallows start cooling rapidly, crappie will migrate to deeper holding areas, mostly off shore. At this time they are typically caught using a very slow presentation, in 12 to 22 feet of water. Most are caught around along the main channel drop offs, deep brush piles, and submerged standing timber. If they are suspending in open water, they often relate to some cover, or structure change, directly below them. During warming trends, especially warm afternoons, they are drawn into 8 to 15 feet of water to feed.

SPRING. In early Spring, crappie begin staging in 5 to 15 feet of water, just outside spawning bays and shallow flats. Spring is prime time to be on the water, as crappie have moved shallow to spawn. At that time, they are typically caught in 2 to 8 feet of water. Vegetation, docks, brush and wood are where most anglers catch crappie using small crappie jigs or live minnows. After the spawn, crappie typically move outside the spawning area and hold on cover close by, in 6 to 12 feet of water. Light tackle, with 4 lb to 8 lb line, is a popular choice.

SUMMER. Water temperatures get quite warm, and crappie fishing is usually pretty good. They feed in 8 to 10 feet of water early and late in the day, until the hot Summer sun causes them to retreat to depths of 12 to 18 feet. Also, a few have embedded in the shade of slightly shallower vegetation. This is a good time to focus around brush piles, standing timber, deep lay downs, bridge pilings and deeper docks. Anglers are also locating schools of crappie hanging over deep structure and around creek channel edges, using fish-finder electronics.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Unlike crappie, yellow perch are caught primarily during the colder months, from Fall through early Spring. A healthy, stable population of yellow perch reside here, providing a steady food source for bass, pike and catfish, plus they provide fun fishing for anglers, as well as tasty table fare.

FALL. As Fall is working its way toward Winter, anglers are finding yellow perch feeding aggressively in 6 to 14 feet of water, especially around weed lines and drop offs. White perch also reside here, and both species are being caught around the edges of weedy areas. Later in the Fall, they begin migrating toward Winter holding areas, often in the deeper sections around the deeper edges of weedbeds, drop offs along flats, channel edges, and humps. Minnows, spinners, spoons and crankbaits are ideal this time of year.

WINTER. The cold of winter drives perch deeper again in search of food and stable water conditions. Areas around tributaries and inflowing creeks are ideal Winter holding spots. Perch are also being caught when they are feeding in weedy areas, in 12 to 22 of water. Good catches are being reported using minnows, spoons, underspins, and jigs tipped with nightcrawlers.

SPRING. Perch spawn in Spring when the water temperature warms to the mid 50's and mid 60's. Anglers are beginning to catch them in 2 to 6 feet of water using minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Docks, weed lines, drop offs all attract yellow perch searching for a meal. Later in Spring, they drop into 6 to 10 feet of water. Edges of flats, protected coves and weed lines along the northeast shoreline have historically delivered great stringers of perch.

SUMMER. Fat yellow perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in 8 to 18 feet of water. In early Summer, plus the first and last hours of the day ,seek them out in feeding zones, 8 to 12 feet deep. Drop-offs and in areas with submerged vegetation are key feeding spots.