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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass in New Jersey are non-native but well-established species that provide exceptional fishing opportunities, particularly in the northern regions of the state. These bronze-colored fighters are widely distributed in northern New Jersey.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Bronze-colored fighters.
  • State record 7-pound, 2-ounce fish was caught in 1990.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Widely distributed in northern New Jersey lakes and rivers.
  • In central New Jersey, they're found in Manasquan Reservoir, while southern New Jersey opportunities are limited primarily to Union Lake and Lake Audrey.

Key Locations

  • Round Valley Reservoir (where the state record 7-pound, 2-ounce fish was caught in 1990), Oak Ridge Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, Swartswood Lake, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Upper Delaware River, South Branch Raritan River, Paulinskill, Wallkill, Pequest, Musconetcong, Manasquan Reservoir, Union Lake, and Lake Audrey (a specialized smallmouth fishery created through habitat enhancement).

Specific Spots

  • In lakes, they relate to weedlines, current breaks, rocky points, humps, sandy flats, and ledges, often suspending in open water to feed on alewives where present.
  • In rivers, they seek current breaks created by rocks, fallen trees, bridge abutments, and aquatic vegetation.
  • Focus on the deepest available water in any given stretch.

Smallmouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Smallmouth Bass in New Jersey?

Crawfish imitators such as tubes and jigs, soft plastic stickbaits (especially Senko-style worms), spinnerbaits, topwater lures, crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits. Live bait options include large shiners, killies, and crayfish.

What flies work for Smallmouth Bass in New Jersey?

Poppers (Double Barrel Poppers, Boogle Bullets in chartreuse), hair frogs, swimming frogs, streamers like the Murdich Minnow, Swimming Jimmy, and crayfish imitations such as Whitlock's Near Nuff Crayfish.

When is the best time to fish for Smallmouth Bass in New Jersey?

Best fishing from spring through fall, with peak periods in June-August and October-November. Spring and early summer fish can be found in shallow water. Fall fishing can be exceptional when schools form and feed aggressively.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in New Jersey?

Work soft plastic stickbaits around shallow cover. Target deep holes, current breaks, rocky substrates in rivers. Focus on areas with 2+ feet of water depth around structure. Look for bass positioned behind current breaks.

What do Smallmouth Bass eat?

Opportunistic predators that feed heavily on crayfish (their primary forage), along with minnows, small shad, perch, aquatic and terrestrial insects, hellgrammites in quality streams, and occasionally amphibians.

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