Round valley bass

[Godrew1972]

I know round valley is trout spot but anyone target the bass up there?
I would love to go for some of those smallies and must be some nice LM.

[AndyS]

Welcome to the site !! How long have you lived in Central Jersey ?
" I fish Farrington lake quite a bit and rivers in North NJ for trout"

[Godrew1972]

Almost 20 years. Always went for trout just started going for bass this year.

[Hookmanski]

I haven't had too much success with the bass at RV, except for one time I took my kayak out. Caught a bunch of cookie cutter smallies on a ned rig, all around 15-16 inches. They're in there for sure, you just really have to work for them in my experience.

[logs22]

I have had good luck catching largemouth from the banks, particularly on the swimming side of the lake. I usuallly fish from the causeway separating the swimming area from the main lake (to the right of the launch when facing the water). I have actually never caught a largemouth in the main lake.

[Mark B.]

Wading the eastern shore 11/31 one year. Casting a Yo Zuri, C&R'ed a couple of trout. Hooked & lost a BIG trout. I was bummed about that. Right at dusk reeling in the Yo Zuri at the surface a few feet from me, a huge bass comes out of the water & nails it.

Biggest Largemouth that I ever caught,....2 feet in length.

[Hookmanski]

Wading the eastern shore 11/31 one year. Casting a Yo Zuri, C&R'ed a couple of trout. Hooked & lost a BIG trout. I was bummed about that. Right at dusk reeling in the Yo Zuri at the surface a few feet from me, a huge bass comes out of the water & nails it.

Biggest Largemouth that I ever caught,....2 feet in length.

Do you hike all the way out there? I'm sure that has to take awhile!

[Mark B.]

Do you hike all the way out there? I'm sure that has to take awhile!


I used to,...from the northern side at the Hunterdon Co. Parks Cushetunk Mountain Parking lot. Then, I befriended a private homeowner on Round Valley Rd. on the southern side. He lets me park there. Much shorter hike.

[thmyorke1]

I used to,...from the northern side at the Hunterdon Co. Parks Cushetunk Mountain Parking lot. Then, I befriended a private homeowner on Round Valley Rd. on the southern side. He lets me park there. Much shorter hike.

I had no idea there was a parking lot there, I was thinking you hiked from the south lot. From the Cushetunk mt preserve trail map, it shows you're not allowed to access RVR from there however. Wondering if there's fence? Guessing not?

[Mark B.]

I had no idea there was a parking lot there, I was thinking you hiked from the south lot. From the Cushetunk mt preserve trail map, it shows you're not allowed to access RVR from there however. Wondering if there's fence? Guessing not?

No fence, a few signs at the lowest saddle of Cushetunk Mtn. Located in the northern eastern corner, it is clearly visible as the lowest pass from routes 22 & 78. A well worn trail from mostly local hikers.

Once I saw a boat angler beach his boat & fish from the shore. Never saw another shoreline angler there, as it is quite a hike.

[thmyorke1]

No fence, a few signs at the lowest saddle of Cushetunk Mtn. Located in the northern eastern corner, it is clearly visible as the lowest pass from routes 22 & 78. A well worn trail from mostly local hikers.

Once I saw a boat angler beach his boat & fish from the shore. Never saw another shoreline angler there, as it is quite a hike.

Thank you, Mark. :)

[Hookmanski]

Thank you, Mark. :)

We might have to make a trip! :D

[thmyorke1]

We might have to make a trip! :D

Count me in, as long as this time it's not howling wind + sub freezing temps :D Shoot me a pm/text

[Mark B.]

Count me in, as long as this time it's not howling wind + sub freezing temps :D Shoot me a pm/text



Hike there, wade / fish for a couple of hours, hike back.

A good aerobic workout / NJ wilderness experience (rarely see another human).

I catch the most trout when the wind is out of the NW,....the stronger the better. Sometimes it is like surf fishing with the breakers.


And, do better when the res. is at, or close to, full pool.

[Hookmanski]

Hike there, wade / fish for a couple of hours, hike back.

A good aerobic workout / NJ wilderness experience (rarely see another human).

I catch the most trout when the wind is out of the NW,....the stronger the better. Sometimes it is like surf fishing with the breakers.


And, do better when the res. is at, or close to, full pool.

now i have a decision to make! try my hand at stripers again on sunday, or make a trip to the valley for some trout...decisions decisions!

[Godrew1972]

On a calm day is it worth trying to get back there with trolling motor, electric?

[Hookmanski]

On a calm day is it worth trying to get back there with trolling motor, electric?

On a calm day, absolutely. There's lots to be explored there for sure, even if you cant make it all the way to the eastern shore. I've taken the kayak out on a rough day (whitecaps in the main lake) and i took on some water but I was fine :D

[reason162]

On a calm day, absolutely. There's lots to be explored there for sure, even if you cant make it all the way to the eastern shore. I've taken the kayak out on a rough day (whitecaps in the main lake) and i took on some water but I was fine :D

It's drysuit season now if you're still launching the yak. Just a friendly PSA!

[Hookmanski]

It's drysuit season now if you're still launching the yak. Just a friendly PSA!

I appreciate it! I'm not launching that thing anywhere for awhile, especially cause its a sit on top!:D

[Godrew1972]

No yak for me, 16ft Starcraft 2 electric motors. I have a 9.9 but I never use it.

[reason162]

Before winter is out you'll probably see me out there on an inflatable surf board (with a seat and pedals) :)

[Flygaff]

I know round valley is trout spot but anyone target the bass up there?
I would love to go for some of those smallies and must be some nice LM.

Back in my RV days I would always target largemouth on the far side of the valley. My largest large mouth there was 9 1/2 pounds caught on a herring. two days before that my wife caught a 7 1/2 pound. This was when they had weeds along the back shoreline.

[Godrew1972]

9.5 and 7.5. Those are monster bass. When you target the bass was it usually with live bait?

[Flygaff]

Yes I always used live bait for the bass. When there were weed beds, I would anchor just outside of them and let the herring swim free. Used to hammer the largemouth and smallmouth this way. I hope the weeds come back. The state really screwed up RV. This place was built with federal funds for fishing. How and when did the state get involved?

[Mark B.]

Yesterday, waded the eastern shore casting the Yo Zuri. One hit, no hook ups.

A trolling boat angler said that he caught 1 Laker & a nice Brown.

Winds were light & variable.

Awaiting my new pair of neoprene waders. Then, I will venture forth under the ideal conditions for catching: Strong NW winds.

Reservoir is at 86% capacity.

[Super]

RV is loaded with bass, LM and SM. Some lunkers, too. The problem is that the lake is deep and cold and huge. The bass are really going to be hard to catch this time of the year. They're deep and the clear water makes them very skittish. But I promise you that there are quality fish in there.