Furnace Lake

Furnace Lake, in Oxford, Warren County, is only 53 acres but fishes far above its size. It's the smallest lake New Jersey stocks with pure-strain muskellunge, and state surveys have turned up muskies near 50 inches. Largemouth of 3 to 5 pounds are common, and crappie, pickerel, channel catfish, stocked trout, perch and sunfish round out the catch. Anglers heading for bigger nearby waters often drive right past it.

When to fish

• Spring: trout stockings, and prime bass fishing. May and June are the best months for muskies.
• Summer: slower, but still productive.
• Fall: another strong period for bass and panfish.
• Winter: good ice fishing for pickerel, perch, crappie and sunfish, with the occasional big muskie.

Where to fish

• Riprap on the east side: rocky structure.
• Weed edges, submerged weeds and sunken trees: bass, pickerel and crappie cover.
• The deeper middle: the lake reaches about 35 feet and averages 17 to 18, with good oxygen and forage for muskies and big catfish.
• The shoreline and a small dock: good bank access.

How to fish it

Muskies eat sunfish, suckers, perch and even the stocked trout; big plugs, large spinners and live bait all catch them. Channel catfish are stocked every year at or just above keeper size, and every few years the state adds retired hatchery breeders of up to 15 pounds.

Getting there

Furnace Lake is a few miles north of Washington, off Route 31 via Route 625. There's generous parking including trailer spaces and a paved ramp, and only electric motors are allowed. Muskies have special regulations; check the current Freshwater Fishing Digest.