LAKE ASSUNPINK
One of the top perennial bass-producing waters in the central part of New Jersey is Lake Assunpink. This lake annually produces some of the best catches of good-sized bass in the state. Despite drought conditions, anglers enjoyed good bassing last season and should this year, too. Bass in the 6- and 7-pound class were weighed in at several local tackle shops. Bass tournaments on the lake produced good results for anglers.
Ask anyone who fishes Lake Assunpink on a regular basis as to why it was productive when most of its better known counterparts were not and you'll likely to get 10 different answers. There were, however, a few factors that Lake Assunpink has in its favor. Lake Assunpink's waters come from a drainage system of the same name. Unlike most other drainages that were severely affected by the drought, water levels, while lower, remained relatively stable at Assunpink.
The large number of springs that seep into the lake also helps keep its water a few degrees cooler than most other lakes. Assunpink is often wind- swept even under the slightest breeze. This produces good oxygen levels, which allows bass to cope with the higher water temperatures.
The lake's 225 acres of surface water are largely shallow and the lake has silted in considerably since it was built. The lake's backwaters contain heavy vegetation during the summer and this produces excellent surface plugging action. Even though its waters are much shallower than the other lakes we discussed, Lake Assunpink still has plenty of open water and 10-foot-plus water where plastic baits will provide you with good bass-fishing action. In particular, the old streambed that is still visible on a depthfinder produces some excellent numbers of bass on jig-and-pig and jig-and-plastic worm combinations.
Unlike the other lakes detailed here, Assunpink does not have a smallmouth population. The lake's maximum depth is about 15 feet, with an electric motor-only rule. One of the drawbacks the lake has is its boat launch, which is a dirt ramp. Anglers with larger boats can have a problem launching, especially under low-water conditions. Shoreline access is ample, as is the parking.
