White Lake

White Lake is a 69-acre, spring-fed lake in Hardwick Township, Warren County, named for the white marl (clay and shell) on its bottom. It's one of New Jersey's six Holdover Trout Lakes, deep enough at about 44 feet for stocked trout to survive year-round. Since there's no shore fishing, it sees less pressure than most trout lakes, which makes it a good choice for a kayak or canoe.

When to fish

• Spring: trout stocking, and holdover trout any time of year.
• After May: largemouth bass and pickerel take over as the main action.

Where to fish

• To the right of the boat launch: a local tip for the best action.
• Weedbeds: from the shallows down to about 20 feet, full of pickerel and some largemouth.
• Wood pilings rising from about 15 feet of water: a known largemouth spot.
• Hard marl drop-offs: where smallmouth bass hold.
• The shallow flat at the back of the lake.

How to fish it

For trout, anchor floating dough bait just off the bottom with an egg sinker or split shot, or cast and troll small spoons and spinners at different depths (the trout don't always hug the bottom). For bass, plastic worms catch fish all day; fish topwater early and late, and try jerkbaits or spinnerbaits just ahead of a front or in the rain. Bass average around 2 pounds, and 3-pounders are common.

Getting there

The launch is small with a floating dock and may not suit trailered boats; electric motors are allowed. There's no fishing from shore. It's a Holdover Trout Lake with its own trout rules; check the current Freshwater Fishing Digest.