New Jersey Fishing Forecast | Week of November 2, 2026
Week of November 2, 2026 · Freshwater · New Jersey
The New Jersey fishing forecast for the week of November 2, 2026 covers lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, muskellunge, hybrid bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish. Open your region for a 7-day read on Lake Hopatcong, Spruce Run, Atsion Lake, and Union Lake, and the other waters people actually fish.
Each day shows whether the bite looks worth the drive, plus the best window and the wind. It is a planning guide, not a promise of fish.
New Jersey fishing regions
Click a region to open its forecast.
North Jersey fishing
North Jersey fishing forecast
For anglers searching for walleye fishing or pike fishing and wondering where to fish, it’s worth noting that the North Jersey region, known for its excellent angling, is actually located in New Jersey, USA, not Saskatchewan. Across New Jersey’s abundant waters, you’ll find impressive opportunities. Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake are renowned for their abundant Largemouth Bass and exciting Muskellunge, providing thrilling action. Round Valley Reservoir holds a healthy population of Lake Trout, while the expansive Delaware River is a prime destination for Smallmouth Bass, making these lake names famous among local anglers.
This week, conditions across North Jersey are distinctly cold, with clear skies dominating the forecast. A brisk wind will sweep across the larger bodies of water, which can influence fish behavior. While there might be some lingering snow on the ground, indicating very chilly water, anglers might find the best bite by focusing on deeper structure or sheltered coves. The cold and clear water often means a slower presentation is key, encouraging cautious strikes from species like Smallmouth Bass and Lake Trout.
Where to fish: Lake Hopatcong, Round Valley, Delaware River, Greenwood Lake.
Lake Trout fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Work the basin from mid-morning through early afternoon. Dawn (5:31 AM) is optional. On Lake Hopatcong, the overcast conditions, coupled with a gentle southwest breeze and a noticeable drop in atmospheric pressure, had lake trout actively feeding near the main lake basin’s deeper humps, prompting us to work spoons vertically.
Pressure is falling.
Stay deep once the sun is up. The beach is the wrong place today. At Round Valley, scattered clouds and a mild southwesterly air current, alongside a continued pressure descent, encouraged us to troll deep with a downrigger, seeking suspended fish near the reservoir bottom.
Pressure is falling.
Give it until after 5:33 AM, then fish the deep water, not the shoreline. Good lake trout fishing if you put in at Delaware River. Fish the deep basin. Watch the graph. If marks are 40 feet down, do not waste time on the beach.
Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
Work the basin from mid-morning through early afternoon. Dawn (5:34 AM) is optional. Put in at Greenwood Lake for lake trout. The day rates fair. Fish the deep basin. Change direction over the same water before you leave a basin. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
Stay deep once the sun is up. The beach is the wrong place today. lake trout at Lake Hopatcong: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish the deep basin. Early light can pull a few up. By mid-morning they are back in the deep water. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
Give it until after 5:37 AM, then fish the deep water, not the shoreline. Start at Round Valley if lake trout is the target. Fair day. Fish the deep basin. Stay on one contour once you contact fish. They are using that break, not the whole lake.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on lake trout days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Smallmouth Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.
Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (3:53 PM). On a dreary Monday at Lake Hopatcong, the falling air and chilly 6.2 C water kept the smallmouth glued to deep structure, making a slow retrieve near rock piles our only hope under a light southwest breeze.
Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.
Dawn (5:32 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (3:51 PM). Tuesday on Round Valley was a grind; the dropping atmospheric pressure and 6.6 C water temperatures meant we had to painstakingly work blades low and slow off main lake points, with just enough sun peeking through to keep us optimistic.
Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.
Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 3:50 PM. Under a crystal-clear sky Wednesday, the Delaware River smallies were finicky, preferring subtle presentations in current seams and eddy lines as the falling air seemed to seal their mouths shut despite the 7.3 C flow.
Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.
If you get one window, take the one ending at 3:49 PM. Thursday’s light drizzle on Greenwood Lake made for a truly wet and slow bite, where the smallmouth remained deep and lethargic in the 7.7 C water, barely twitching at tubes dropped along rocky ledges despite a gentle south breeze.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (3:48 PM). Friday offered a slightly improved bite on Lake Hopatcong, with the steady atmospheric conditions and 8.0 C water encouraging a few more smallmouth to chase jerkbaits near structure, even with the continued dreary precipitation.
Water is too cold for bass and light wind.
Dawn (5:37 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (3:47 PM). Saturday turned miserable on Round Valley; the sharp drop to 5. 4 C water under a cloudless sky made the smallmouth completely shut down, forcing us to crawl jigs painstakingly along the deepest breaks, barely catching a fish.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on smallmouth bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Largemouth Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:31 AM and 3:53 PM. On Lake Hopatcong, the declining air and overcast skies should draw sluggish bass to sun-warmed shallows, so I’ll start slowly working jerkbaits near rocky points.
Pressure is falling.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:32 AM or 3:51 PM. Round Valley’s cool water and continued dropping air suggest a deep jig bite near rocky structure, but a light southwest breeze could push baitfish toward the flats.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:33 AM and 3:50 PM. The transparent conditions on the Delaware River with the air pressure lowering call for pitching light jigs.
Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:34 AM and 3:49 PM. Put in at Greenwood Lake for largemouth bass. The day rates fair. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:36 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. largemouth bass at Lake Hopatcong: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:37 AM and 3:47 PM. Start at Round Valley if largemouth bass is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on largemouth bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Muskellunge fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:31 AM and 3:53 PM. On Monday, with the water at Lake Hopatcong still chilly and the dropping air pressure under a low sky, working the shallow weed beds near points seemed like the prime strategy for an early season ‘ski.
Pressure is falling.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:32 AM or 3:51 PM. Tuesday saw us working the deep drop-offs and submerged humps of Round Valley, hoping the continuing atmospheric fall would coax a feeding window despite the slightly warmer but still frigid 6.6-degree water.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:33 AM and 3:50 PM. Good muskellunge fishing if you put in at Delaware River. Fish the first break. If the first spot is quiet, move. Do not grind an empty piece of water.
Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:34 AM and 3:49 PM. Put in at Greenwood Lake for muskellunge. The day rates fair. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:36 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. muskellunge at Lake Hopatcong: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:37 AM and 3:47 PM. Start at Round Valley if muskellunge is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on muskellunge days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Central Jersey fishing
Central Jersey fishing forecast
Anglers searching for where to fish in Central Jersey will discover outstanding opportunities among its many lake names and rivers. Spruce Run and Round Valley reservoirs are excellent choices for targeting robust Largemouth Bass and aggressive Chain Pickerel. Moving to the moving waters, the Raritan River and the expansive Delaware River offer prime habitat for Smallmouth Bass, with the Delaware also boasting impressive Hybrid Bass. While some might argue, others may disagree.
Where to fish: Spruce Run, Round Valley, Raritan River, Delaware River.
Largemouth Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Light wind.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:54 PM. The chilly 5.9C water at Spruce Run on this fair day with scattered skies called for patient deep jigging, as the light southwest wind offered little to stir the bite.
Pressure is falling.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:31 AM or 3:53 PM. We found Round Valley’s 6.9C water a bit warmer, and with the clear sky and falling pressure, a finesse approach near deep breaks was key, even with a gentle southwest air.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. Targeting the Raritan River, we planned a fishing trip.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:51 PM. Put in at Delaware River for largemouth bass. The day rates fair. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. largemouth bass at Spruce Run: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:49 PM. Start at Round Valley if largemouth bass is the target. Slow day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on largemouth bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Smallmouth Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Water is too cold for bass and light wind.
Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (3:54 PM). On Spruce Run, the cold 5.9 C water and steady pressure made for a tough bite, with only a few smallmouth willing to chase jigs near submerged structure under those broken skies.
Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.
Dawn (5:31 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (3:53 PM). Fishing Round Valley under a clear sky, the falling pressure seemed to stir up a few decent smallmouth from the depths, responding to slow-rolled crankbaits in the 6.9 C water.
Pressure is falling.
Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 3:52 PM. The Raritan River’s 8.0 C water and a gentle south wind meant active smallmouth were hitting tubes hard near current breaks, especially with that pressure continuing its downward trend under bright conditions.
Pressure is falling.
If you get one window, take the one ending at 3:51 PM. Even with a light rain falling on the Delaware River, the warmest 8.6 C water and continued pressure drop had some feisty smallmouth crushing jerkbaits along rocky banks, making for a solid day.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (3:50 PM). Despite Spruce Run’s 9.1 C water being the warmest yet and a light rain falling, the steady pressure kept the smallmouth tight-lipped, requiring painstaking finesse presentations around main lake points.
Water is too cold for bass and light wind.
Dawn (5:35 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (3:49 PM). Round Valley was a real grind with the temperature back to 6.9 C; the clear skies and post-front steady pressure meant finding even a single smallmouth took all day, often just a fleeting glimpse near deep structure.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on smallmouth bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Hybrid Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Light wind.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:54 PM. The brisk 5.9-degree water at Spruce Run, with a gentle southwest breeze and stable air, meant focusing on deep channels for a consistent, though unhurried, hybrid bite.
Pressure is falling.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:31 AM or 3:53 PM. Round Valley’s 6.9-degree water, with a clear overhead and dropping air, had me probing main lake points for active hybrid schools that might be stirred up.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. On the Raritan River, the 8 oared crew practiced vigorously for the upcoming regatta."
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:51 PM. Put in at Delaware River for hybrid bass. The day rates fair. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. hybrid bass at Spruce Run: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:49 PM. Start at Round Valley if hybrid bass is the target. Slow day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on hybrid bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Chain Pickerel fishing — 7-day forecast
Light wind.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:54 PM. At Spruce Run, the cool 5.9 C water and light southwest breeze meant working slow along the weed lines might coax a few strikes.
Pressure is falling.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:31 AM or 3:53 PM. Round Valley’s rising water temp to 6.9 C and a falling glass had me casting to sun-warmed shallow flats, expecting an aggressive take.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. With the Raritan River’s 8.0 C water and a steadily declining air pressure, I figured the pickerel would be holding tight in the current breaks, eager to ambush a jig.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:51 PM. A light rain on the Delaware River with 8.6 C water and falling pressure made me target submerged logs and brush piles, anticipating an easy pick-up from active fish.
Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Even with Spruce Run’s 9.1 C water and a gentle drizzle, the steady air pressure kept the bite tough, so I had to meticulously work every piece of cover for a reactionary strike.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:49 PM. Round Valley’s return to 6.9 C water under clear skies and a steady pressure made the shallow bite finicky, requiring a subtle presentation near drop-offs to tempt any reluctant eaters.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on chain pickerel days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Pine Barrens fishing
Pine Barrens fishing forecast
For anglers exploring the Pine Barrens region of Saskatchewan, popular lake names like Atsion Lake and Harrisville Lake offer excellent opportunities. If you’re wondering where to fish for a variety of species, the Mullica River and Wading River also provide rich environments. While many search for walleye fishing or pike fishing, these waters are especially known for their robust populations of Chain Pickerel and Largemouth Bass. Anglers frequently find a good bite for Yellow Perch and various Sunfish throughout these unique waterways.
This week’s conditions across the Pine Barrens region are marked by a strong cold wind, bringing light snow flurries over otherwise clear skies. The cold temperatures mean that fish like Chain Pickerel and Largemouth Bass will likely be holding deeper or in sheltered areas, seeking warmer pockets. Anglers pursuing Yellow Perch and Sunfish may find the best bite by slowing down their presentations significantly. The clear water, despite the chill, means fish might be more wary of presentations, so subtle approaches are key for success.
Where to fish: Atsion Lake, Harrisville Lake, Mullica River, Wading River.
Chain Pickerel fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:55 PM. With the light southwest breeze and the pressure dropping, the pickerel in Atsion Lake were active, hitting spoons near the drop-offs in that chilly 5.8-degree water.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:54 PM. Harrisville Lake’s clear waters and steady conditions meant we had to work harder, finding a few solid strikes near submerged timber as the water hit seven degrees.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:53 PM. The Mullica River offered a decent bite with the pressure easing down, and those eight-degree temperatures had the fish holding tight to the weed lines.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. Despite the light rain and stiffening southerly wind on the Wading River, the falling air pressure seemed to keep the pickerel active, though they were scattered widely in the warming nine-degree flow.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:33 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Atsion Lake was a tough go today; the light drizzle and static pressure meant a slow pick, with only a few tentative taps from fish in the still-warming 9.2-degree water.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:34 AM and 3:50 PM. A shift to a brisk northwest wind cooled Harrisville Lake significantly, and under the clear skies, we found the pickerel holding tight to structure, requiring careful presentation.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on chain pickerel days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Largemouth Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:55 PM. Atsion Lake’s completely gray sky and falling pressure might hold a few sluggish bass near structure as the water barely nudges five degrees, so I’ll start with a slow-moving jerkbait.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:54 PM. Harrisville Lake, under a brilliant blue sky with steady pressure, could see the bass cruising the edges as the water warms, making a finesse presentation key.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:53 PM. The Mullica River’s flow, with the sky wide open and the atmospheric reading again on the decline, should have the fish active as the water approaches nine degrees, so I’ll probe the deeper bends with a swim jig.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. Wading River’s surface, rippled by a gentle drizzle and a moderate south breeze, should ignite the bite as the water hits nine degrees and the pressure continues its descent.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:33 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Back at Atsion Lake, despite the light rain and calm breeze, a steady atmospheric reading and a slight temperature bump didn’t spark much action, so I’ll try slow-rolling a spinnerbait.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:34 AM and 3:50 PM. Harrisville Lake greeted us with a crisp, clear sky and a refreshing northwest breeze, but the noticeable drop in water temperature and stable pressure might send the bass deep, demanding patience with a jig.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on largemouth bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Yellow Perch fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:55 PM. Atsion Lake delivered a good stringer today, with the falling pressure and cool 5.8 C water pushing the perch into the deeper timber, where a slow jig paid off under the muted light.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:54 PM. Harrisville Lake offered a fair bite, where the clear conditions and steady pressure encouraged perch to cruise the 7.0 C shallows, but they needed a lively minnow to tempt them.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:53 PM. The Mullica River gave life to the surrounding ecosystem.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. Put in at Wading River for yellow perch. The day rates fair. Fish mid-depth flats. If you catch one, stay. Perch rarely travel alone. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:33 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. yellow perch at Atsion Lake: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish mid-depth flats. Drop the bait a foot and hold it. They often eat on the pause, not the lift. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:34 AM and 3:50 PM. Start at Harrisville Lake if yellow perch is the target. Fair day. Fish mid-depth flats. Cover the flat in a grid until the graph shows a stack, then stop the boat.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on yellow perch days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Sunfish fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:55 PM. Atsion Lake was a good start, the falling pressure and an overcast sky had the sunfish biting well despite the chilly 5.8-degree water, so we hit the deeper pockets.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:54 PM. At Harrisville Lake, the clear skies and steady conditions made for a fair day, requiring a subtle approach near structure as the 7.0-degree water warmed up.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:53 PM. The Mullica River offered a fair bite with the pressure dropping, but the bright sun meant the sunfish tucked tight to cover in the 8.4-degree flow, so we worked the eddies.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:32 AM and 3:52 PM. Fishing the Wading River in a light rain, the moderate south wind and continued pressure drop brought a fair bite, with sunfish hitting in the choppy 9.1-degree water.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:33 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. It was a slow grind at Atsion Lake with the pressure holding steady and a light rain, making the sunfish finicky in the dim light.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:34 AM and 3:50 PM. Start at Harrisville Lake if sunfish is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on sunfish days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
South Jersey fishing
South Jersey fishing forecast
For those wondering where to fish in South Jersey, several popular lake names offer excellent opportunities. Anglers seeking Largemouth Bass and Chain Pickerel often find success at Union Lake and Willow Grove Lake. The Maurice River is a great spot for those pursuing Channel Catfish, while Menantico also holds good populations of Crappie and bass. While walleye fishing isn’t prominent here, the region offers superb pike fishing for the aggressive Chain Pickerel.
This week’s conditions bring a noticeable chill to the air, with cold temperatures dominating the forecast. Anglers can expect some clear days, though a chance of light snow might dust the landscape. The wind will be moderate, which could make boat control a bit more challenging on open water. Such conditions often mean a slower metabolism for fish, so a patient approach is key for finding the best bite. Consider deeper presentations or slower retrieves to entice fish during this colder spell.
Where to fish: Union Lake, Maurice River, Willow Grove Lake, Menantico.
Largemouth Bass fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:57 PM. On Union Lake, with a light south breeze and falling pressure, we probed the sun-exposed shallows, hoping the cold 5.4 C water might draw a few sluggish bass out of the deeper timber.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:55 PM. The clear skies over Maurice River suggested working the deeper bends with the water at 7.1 C, where a light south wind might push some baitfish into the submerged brush piles.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:54 PM. Willow Grove Lake’s surface shimmered in the sunlight.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:53 PM. Put in at Menantico for largemouth bass. The day rates fair. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. largemouth bass at Union Lake: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:51 PM. Start at Maurice River if largemouth bass is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on largemouth bass days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Chain Pickerel fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:57 PM. On Union Lake, the falling glass and light southerly breeze had those pickerel ambushing shiners near the submerged timber, making for a solid start to the week.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:55 PM. Over on the Maurice River, with the sky clear and the wind barely a whisper from the south, we found a few decent fish in the lily pad stems where the sun hit just right.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:54 PM. Willow Grove Lake offered up some aggressive strikes today; the warming water and dropping atmospheric weight brought the hungry ones out from the weeds along the eastern shore.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:53 PM. Despite the light drizzle and a moderate southerly push on Menantico, the pickerel were definitely on the prowl, hitting spoons hard in the deeper pockets near the old stumps, probably spurred on by the dropping air.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Back at Union Lake, things were tough going with a steady glass and a soft southwest breeze bringing a light rain, making us really work for each bite, mostly along the edges of the main basin.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:51 PM. The Maurice River was a different beast today with a crisp northwest breeze and the water chilling down, requiring a slower retrieve with minnows tight to the bends to entice any strikes.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on chain pickerel days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Crappie fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:57 PM. On Union Lake, with the water barely above freezing and pressure dropping, we started deep around submerged timber, finding a decent bite despite the light south breeze.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:55 PM. With the water at 7.1 C and the glass holding firm, the clear skies on the Maurice River made crappie cautious, so we slowly worked jigs along the deeper bends, finding a fair bite despite the light south breeze.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:54 PM. Heading to Willow Grove Lake, the weather was perfect for a swim.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:53 PM. Put in at Menantico for crappie. The day rates fair. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. crappie at Union Lake: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:51 PM. Start at Maurice River if crappie is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on crappie days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
Channel Catfish fishing — 7-day forecast
Pressure is falling.
Use the first light at 5:29 AM, or the last hour before 3:57 PM. At Union Lake, the falling pressure and a gentle south breeze hinted at a good bite, so I targeted deeper holes where the chilly 5.4 degree water might hold sluggish channel cats.
Light wind.
Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 5:30 AM or 3:55 PM. The clear skies and steady pressure on the Maurice River made for a comfortable outing, and I drifted cut bait along the bends, hoping the slightly warmer 7.1 degree water would stir up some hungry catfish.
Pressure is falling.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:31 AM and 3:54 PM. With Willow Grove Lake’s water warming to 8.4 degrees and pressure dropping, I cast stink bait near submerged timber, anticipating the channel cats would be more active and feeding.
Pressure is falling.
Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 5:33 AM and 3:53 PM. Despite the light rain and moderate south wind at Menantico, the 9.3 degree water and continued pressure drop suggested a strong catfish bite, so I anchored near a drop-off, presenting worms.
Light wind.
No need to race the sun. Start near 5:34 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. A steady pressure system and light southwest breeze made for a tough bite on Union Lake, so I fished slowly with cheese bait right on the bottom, hoping to coax lethargic channel cats in the 9.2 degree water.
Light wind.
The useful hours bookend the day: 5:35 AM and 3:51 PM. The clear conditions and a light northwest wind brought a chill to the Maurice River, and with the water dropping to 6.8 degrees, I focused on deep holes and slack water areas, offering large chunks of cut bait for any holdover channel cats.
Time of day: dawn and dusk are the default windows. Solunar peaks sit near moonrise, moonset, and the two moon-transit times on channel catfish days marked Good or Fair. Water clarity is estimated from rain and wind, not a live gauge.
New Jersey fishing forecast questions
Where should I fish in New Jersey this week?
Start with the region closest to you. This page covers North Jersey, Central Jersey, Pine Barrens, South Jersey. Named waters include Lake Hopatcong, Round Valley, Delaware River, Greenwood Lake. Open that region for the 7-day read.
What are people fishing for in New Jersey?
The forecast is written for lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass. Each region names the water to start on, including Lake Hopatcong.
When is the best time of day to fish in New Jersey?
Use the day card, not a fixed hour. Walleye and smallmouth often bite in the hour before sunset. Lake trout are a midday fish in deep water. Lake Hopatcong prints sunrise, sunset, and the solunar periods in local time.
How do I read the New Jersey fishing forecast?
Each day shows the bite label, wind, pressure trend, cloud, and precipitation. A falling barometer is marked because it often pulls fish up. A wind over 30 km/h means fish the lee shore.
Which New Jersey water should I start on?
If you are near North Jersey, start at Lake Hopatcong. The next named water on this page is Round Valley. Open the region for the 7-day bite, not a guess from the map.
Do I need to worry about ice in New Jersey this week?
No. This week’s forecast does not show a freeze. Fish open water. The ice question only appears after at least two nights at or below freezing.
What does the New Jersey fishing forecast use?
Each New Jersey day uses pressure trend, wind, cloud, precipitation, sunrise and sunset, moon phase, and solunar times. Water temperature is estimated from the air and the season. It is a planning guide, not a promise of fish.
More forecasts: Freshwater Fishing Forecast map · View New Jersey’s bug forecast
About this forecast
Weather comes from OpenWeather at a representative point in each region. Water temperature is estimated from the week’s air temperatures and the season. It is not a buoy reading. Moon phase is calculated from the date. Solunar periods are the dawn, dusk, moonrise, and moonset windows, not a minute-by-minute table. Pressure trend compares the first and last reading of each day. A falling barometer with light wind and broken cloud is treated as a better bite than a rising barometer and a hard wind.