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Fishing Raritan River: what the data says
Branchburg to New Brunswick: stocked trout up top, smallmouth and channel cats through the middle. The river tops out around 10 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Raritan River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 15.0), a rock pile in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Largemouth Bass fishing at Raritan River
In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Duke Island Park slack water, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Channel Catfish fishing at Raritan River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Island Farm Weir, a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Raritan River
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 10 ft. Creighton Lake Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 10 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Common Carp fishing at Raritan River
In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Duke Island Park slack water is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring common carp. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Creighton Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- South Bound Brook Lock tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- 5 Mile Lock tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- 10 Mile Lock tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Headgates Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Island Farm Weir: creek channel, around 6 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 11.9): eddy pocket, around 6 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 11.6): eddy pocket, around 6 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 13.2): eddy pocket, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Raritan River?
Raritan River is about 10 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Raritan River?
Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout, common carp on Raritan River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Raritan River?
Riffle & run (mile 15.0) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Raritan River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
East Brunswick Community Park Lake · Duhernal Lake · Mercer County Park Lake · Lake Topanemus · Spruce Run Reservoir · Weequahic Lake
See how Raritan River stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in New Jersey · best smallmouth bass lakes in New Jersey · best channel catfish lakes in New Jersey · best rainbow trout lakes in New Jersey
Browse all New Jersey fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.