The other record is the 21-pound, 6-ounce brown trout taken by Lenny Saccente in 1988.

Round Valley is a unique body of water, in that it has no natural sources of water and no tributary streams. Its water is pumped into the reservoir from the South Branch of the Raritan River south of Clinton.

Over the years, this has caused a lack of turnover in the reservoir’s depths and a lack of nutrients in the reservoir’s water. This in turn has created problems in both the forage and trout populations.

Lack of plankton in the reservoir’s water and the growth problems it has created has caused the state to place special regulations on the reservoir. Anglers are allowed to take one lake trout at 15 inches from Jan. 1 through Sept. 15. From Dec. 1 through 31, there is a 20-inch size limit and a one-fish bag limit.

One thing that Round Valley has going for it is the Round Valley Trout Association (RVTA). Since the DFW has been in financial trouble for quite some time, it’s had to rely on volunteer organizations and sportsmen for help with its programs.

The RVTA not only stocks trout in the reservoir, but has also stocked alewives in recent years. This organization works closely with the state to acquire data on trout numbers in the reservoir to help with supplemental stockings.

Trout fishing in the reservoir is a two-tier fishery. Rainbows and browns are usually caught from the surface to 40 feet down, while lake trout can be taken anywhere from the surface down to 100 feet and more.

A lot of the better fishing for rainbows and browns is done at night with lights. Anglers will suspend lamps over the water, which will attract baitfish and rainbows. This tactic often produces fast action once the trout go on the feed.

Flatline trolling is another way a good number of rainbow and brown trout get taken. Stick baits and deep-diving swimming plugs are slow-trolled, producing some good action once the trout are located on sonar. Most of this type of fishing is done in the late summer and early fall.

During spring, a good number of the trout are taken from the shoreline, where they are prime targets for fly- and bait-fishermen.

In addition to the excellent trout fishing that the reservoir has to offer, some heavy-duty smallmouth fishing is possible. In fact, the state’s record smallmouth hails from the Round Valley Reservoir.

LAKE HOPATCONG
The state’s biggest natural lake not only owns the record for the biggest rainbow trout in the state, it also has an interesting history to go along with it when it comes to trout fishing.