Position
39°33.9′N 75°21.4′W
Alloway Lake, in the village of Alloway in Salem County, is a winding, nearly mile-long lake of about 120 acres. After years of dam repairs it reopened to the public in 2009, and it's now managed as one of New Jersey's Lunker Bass Lakes. State surveys have turned up largemouth to 6½ pounds, and it's known for big black and white crappie too.
When to fish
- As early as the first or second week of March: largemouth begin spawning, depending on water temperature, so it's an early-season destination.
- Spring: slab crappie.
- Midsummer: the water gets very warm (surface temperatures can reach the low 90s on the shallow flats).
Where to fish
- Laydowns and overhanging brush along the banks, especially along both sides of Lakeview Drive.
- Lily pad pockets and scattered stumps.
- The flats on the arm beyond the Commissioners Pike overpass: shallow water that heats up in summer.
- The lake is stained, about 6 to 7 feet deep on average and 12 to 13 at most.
How to fish it
Bank access is very limited, so a boat, kayak or canoe is the way to fish Alloway. Work the shoreline cover for bass; gizzard shad, golden shiners and small panfish are the main forage.
Getting there
The ramp is at 26 East Canal Street; with a trailer, come in via Birch Street. Parking holds about 20 trucks with trailers. The lake is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April through September and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through March. There's a launch fee for boats, while kayaks and canoes launch free, and only electric motors are allowed. Alloway is a Lunker Bass Lake with its own bass limits; check the current Freshwater Fishing Digest.
From the water
Latest reports
No reports yet
No fishing reports have been published for Alloway Lake yet.
Field guide
What you can catch
Close by