Spruce Run Reservoir

Spruce Run Reservoir is a 1,290-acre reservoir in the hills of Hunterdon County, the third-largest in New Jersey, surrounded by the state's Spruce Run Recreation Area. It is one of the most varied big-fish waters in the state. The state stocks it with northern pike and hybrid striped bass, it's a top pick for a trophy pike, and its largemouth and smallmouth bass grow big: largemouth over 5 pounds and smallmouth over 4 are common, though most are released and never reported.

When to fish

• March and April: northern pike, some up to 10 pounds, move toward the creek mouths to spawn and can be caught from shore.
• April into May: the same creek mouths produce crappie over 2 pounds, largemouth, the odd hybrid and trout that drop out of the stocked tributaries.
• May and June: hybrids cruise close to shore in coves and are prime for trolling.
• June and July mornings: hybrids and smallmouth push schools of herring to the surface.
• Fall: big brown trout gather off the creek mouths before running up to spawn, and bass move to deep drop-offs late in the season.

Where to fish

• The mouths of Spruce Run Creek, Black Brook and Mulhockaway Creek: the best shore spots, especially early spring and fall. The stump-lined flats in the northern fingers where these creeks come in are good for largemouth and crappie.
• Flats of 10 to 12 feet that drop into deep water: where hybrids and smallmouth corner herring on summer mornings; approach quietly.
• Deep water in the southern and central lake: where hybrids are trolled, and in fall, main-lake points and drop-offs.
• Coves and shorelines with fallen trees: largemouth cover.
• Water deeper than about 15 feet runs low on oxygen in summer, so most fish stay above it.

How to fish it

For hybrids in May and June, flatline-troll minnow plugs along the shoreline lanes, often around 14 feet deep, at about 2.5 to 3 mph. When herring are breaking on summer mornings, cast lipless crankbaits or blade baits into the school and let them sink. For largemouth, drag a weightless plastic worm across shallow flats and around fallen trees, or work topwater plugs early, late and on cloudy days. In late fall, jigs on deep drop-offs take bass holding near the bottom. Big carp are caught from shore all around the lake.

Getting there

All boats launch from the recreation area's launch, which has a car-top launch and a trailer ramp with docks. Only small motors are allowed, jet skis are banned, and canoes and kayaks work well when it isn't windy. A warning light at the launch flashes when winds reach 25 mph, and all boats must then leave the water. The entrance is at 68 Van Syckles Road in Clinton, and there's an entrance fee from Memorial Day through Labor Day.