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New Jersey · Fishing
Old Bridge sits in Middlesex County with a handful of accessible stillwater spots that make for a low-barrier fishing outing without a long drive.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Old Bridge sits in Middlesex County with a handful of accessible stillwater spots that make for a low-barrier fishing outing without a long drive. The two lakes showing up consistently in local listings are Tennent Pond and DeVoe Lake, both of which offer lake fishing for anglers of most skill levels. Tennent Pond appears more than once in the active listings, which suggests it sees regular use and is worth prioritizing if you're visiting the area for the first time. DeVoe Lake rounds out the options as another shore-accessible lake fishery in the area. Neither of these is a remote backcountry destination — you're fishing suburban New Jersey, which means paved or gravel access, proximity to residential areas, and the kind of fishing that works well for a half-day trip or an early morning session before the rest of your day fills up. New Jersey requires a valid freshwater fishing license for anglers 16 and older, and both waters fall under standard NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations. If you're coming from out of state, pick up a non-resident license through the NJDFW website before you arrive.
Both are listed as lake fishing sites, which in central New Jersey typically means largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish are realistic targets. The available listing data doesn't specify stocked species or special designations for either water, so don't plan the trip around a specific trophy fishery — these are general warmwater lakes.
Yes. New Jersey requires a freshwater fishing license for anyone 16 or older. Residents and non-residents can purchase licenses through the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife online portal. Buy it before you show up — there's no guarantee of a nearby vendor.
Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Tennent Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Assunpink Wildlife Management Area - Assunpink Lake
~29 min drive
Easy
Camp Gateway- Brooklyn Ny
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NY.
South Branch Raritan River - Ken Lockwood Gorge
~48 min drive
Moderate
Camp Gateway - Staten Island
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NY.
Tennent Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
DeVoe Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Hooks Creek Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Dallenbach Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Lake Tarnofsky
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Treasure Lake
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NJ.
Also worth it near here
Early morning and the hour before sunset are the most productive windows for warmwater species like bass and bluegill in lake environments. Midday fishing in summer tends to slow down as water temperatures rise and fish move deeper or into shade.
A light to medium spinning setup handles most of what you'll encounter at these lakes. Soft plastics, small spinners, and live bait like nightcrawlers or wax worms cover the range of species you're likely to find. Bring a valid license, a net if you plan to keep fish, and check current NJ possession limits before you go.
Lake fishing at Tennent Pond and DeVoe Lake is a reasonable choice for newer anglers and families. Shore access at suburban lakes like these is generally straightforward, and you don't need a boat. Just confirm current access conditions locally, as parking and shoreline availability can vary by season.
