Within a 75-minute drive of Newark there are 5 fishing waters in our guide: 4 bays and estuaries and 1 reservoir. The mix is 1 freshwater and 4 salt or brackish waters. Together they hold records of 20 fish species.

Closest to Newark: Upper Bay, 13 minutes away

Starting from Newark, the nearest water is Upper Bay, a estuary, at 13 min (8.3 mi). The drive time is measured to the shore access point: Lefante Way River Access, Bayonne.

Next by drive time:

Where to start: Raritan Bay

Ranked by drive time, depth data, species records and access, the first 3 for Newark are:

  • Raritan Bay (estuary): 63,799 acres, 8 fish species on record, max depth 103 ft (surveyed) and 99 ramps.
  • Long Island Sound (estuary): 801,802 acres, 9 fish species on record, max depth 383 ft (surveyed) and 354 ramps.
  • Upper Bay (estuary): 10,643 acres, 4 fish species on record, max depth 82 ft (surveyed) and 16 ramps.

Deepest nearby: Long Island Sound, 383 ft

Long Island Sound has the greatest depth on our map near here, 383 ft (surveyed). It is followed by Raritan Bay (103 ft), Upper Bay (82 ft) and Oyster Bay (81.4 ft). Maximum depths are known for 4 of the 5 waters.

Launching near Newark: 11 ramps

Public access near Newark adds up to 11 boat ramps, 20 fishing piers and 82 shore-fishing spots. Nearest to the center for launching: Broad St Bay Access, Keyport Borough on Raritan Bay, roughly 20.5 mi as the crow flies. For fishing without a boat, the closest pier is Fishing Pier on Raritan Bay, about 12 mi from the center.

What bites near Newark: Mummichog first

Mummichog turns up in more of these waters than any other fish: 4 of 5. Next come Atlantic Menhaden (3), Bluefish (2), Bay Anchovy (2) and Northern Kingfish (1).

Where to find them closest to town:

  • Mummichog and Atlantic Menhaden: Upper Bay, 13 min (8.3 mi)
  • Bluefish: Long Island Sound, 33 min (24.5 mi)
  • Bay Anchovy and Northern Kingfish: Raritan Bay, 29 min (16.9 mi)

3 campgrounds near the water

3 campgrounds sit by the waters around Newark. Nearest to the city: Camp Gateway - Staten Island (11.2 mi, by Raritan Bay), Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook (21.8 mi, by Raritan Bay) and Campgrounds (40.3 mi, by Mercer County Lake).