Largemouth Bass

Hopewell, New Jersey, and the surrounding Mercer County offer some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing in its many lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. While not known for trophy bass, you can find consistent action and some decent-sized fish. Spring and fall are the peak seasons. During the spring, focus on pre-spawn bass staging near shallow spawning areas like coves and weed lines. In the fall, bass will be actively feeding to prepare for winter. Lake Carnegie, a reservoir on the Millstone River, is a popular spot, but smaller local ponds can be equally productive. A good starting point is to look for submerged structure or weed edges. Local tip: many of the smaller ponds are best fished from shore or with a kayak, as boat access may be limited. Spinnerbaits and plastic worms are local favorites.