Round Valley Reservoir

Round Valley Reservoir is New Jersey's premier trophy trout water: 2,350 acres of crystal-clear water in Hunterdon County, about 180 feet deep at its deepest and the second-deepest lake in the state. Its cold depths hold a wild, self-reproducing lake trout population along with big rainbow and brown trout, and it has produced more New Jersey freshwater records than any other lake.

When to fish

• Fall through spring from shore: the classic Round Valley season. Rainbows above the legal size cruise the shorelines, lake trout move within reach, and lakers seem to bite best from shore on the coldest winter days.
• Early spring: the state stocks rainbows, and local anglers' groups add larger trout.
• Summer: the trout go deep, so you'll need a boat to reach them.
• Lake trout harvest is open year-round as of 2026.

Where to fish

• Lot 2 and the shoreline near the main launch: the easiest shore access, and a short walk opens up much more water. The rocks around the launch area have long been a popular trout spot.
• The dams: lake trout gather along the boulder-lined dams to spawn in fall.
• Deep water by boat: most lake trout are caught within about 5 feet of the bottom; trollers find them in 65 to 70 feet, and NJFW suggests starting around 70 feet in summer.
• Bass: look in water shallower than about 50 feet where weeds and rock mix.

How to fish it

The standard shore rig is a sliding sinker above a swivel and a long, light leader, fished on the bottom with a floating bait such as dough bait or a marshmallow and mealworm so it rides just off the bottom; a live shiner with a small float on the leader works the same way for lake trout. Use light line (braid tangles) and a reel with plenty of line, since a trout can run while you're not watching. In early winter, a slip float set shallow can take lake trout that rise before the first heavy snow. From a boat, jig metal jigs or small spoons, or troll just off the bottom for lakers. Shiners are the usual live bait.

Getting there

The public boat launch is run by NJ Fish and Wildlife just outside Round Valley Recreation Area; you can use it with a current fishing license or an annual boat ramp permit. Campers have their own launch inside the park. Only small motors are allowed, jet skis are banned, there are no boat rentals, and boats must leave the water when the wind reaches 25 mph. Park entry is free from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend, with a fee in summer. Round Valley is a Trophy Trout Lake with its own trout and lake trout rules, and from 2026 it's also a Lunker Bass Lake with stricter bass limits, so check the current Freshwater Fishing Digest.