Fishing Report For Manasquan Reservoir, NJ

By Rick Seaman

February 3, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Manasquan Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
Map
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Fishing Report Manasquan Reservoir, NJ

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Manasquan Reservoir, NJ

Largemouth Bass

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Manasquan Reservoir is loaded with standing trees, lay-downs and brush. Bass love this cover because it attracts bait and sunfish, making it a great place for bass to enjoy lunch. Locals enjoy spinnerbait fishing for these bass that are eager to eat. Tournament anglers report stick worms, rigged wacky style are a go-to bait when the bite slows down. The North Fork Timber Swamp Brook, Middle Fork Timber Swamp Brook and South Fork Timber Swamp Brook are loaded with timber, brush and vegetation, and are reportedly good spots to catch nice bass.

Hybrid Striped Bass

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good

Hybrids prefer to stay in the main lake area where water up to 40' is available. It is also where the baitfish spend a majority of their time. These wipers run in packs and can be caught on almost any lure that resembles baitfish. Jerkbaits, cast or trolled are popular here, especially in shad patterns. Swimbaits, crankbaits, spoons, live bait and cut bait are all effective here as well.

Black Crappie

Uncle Buck's Panfish Creatures Curly Tail Minnow Rigged

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good

Even though the water level has been fluctuating, locals still report crappie fishing has been fairly good in Manasquan Reservoir. Spring is the premiere time to be on the water as crappie move into shallow coves to spawn. The North Fork Timber Swamp Brook, Middle Fork Timber Swamp Brook and South Fork Timber Swamp Brook are loaded with brush, trees and vegetation, and are still a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Light tackle with 4 lb to 8 lb line is ideal.

Manasquan Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, chain pickerel and tiger muskie at Manasquan Reservoir in New Jersey.

Manasquan Reservoir 770-acre reservoir with about 8 miles of shoreline, some of which is accessible for shoreline fishing-particularly along the 5-mile perimeter trail. Bass, hybrid stripers and crappie are the main draw here.

Primary fish species residing in Manasquan Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a New Jersey Fishing License.

Manasquan Reservoir, NJ Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired bass tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".