Northeast
South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge)
Live Conditions
South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge) — At High Bridge, NJ (gauge unverified)
Live Conditions
South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge) — At Stanton, NJ (gauge unverified)
7-Day Flow
↑ Rising
24-Hr Pressure
29.83 inHg · → High/stable
Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory
Water temperature is at or above 65°F. At these temperatures trout are physiologically stressed and have a higher post-release mortality rate. Consider waiting for cooler conditions — early morning or evening — or choosing a tailwater with regulated temperatures.
Local Weather
Normal conditions
Today
🌧️Rain showers
84° / 67°
1.8"
Tomorrow
☁️Overcast
82° / 62°
Wed
🌦️Drizzle
84° / 69°
0.04"
Thu
⛈️Thunderstorm
92° / 73°
0.18"
Rain in forecast — expect rising, off-color water in 12–24 hrs.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
2
Time of Day
Using: 107 CFS · 69.8°F · Terrestrials peak. Caddis. Wild fish hold in cool gorge pools.
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge) conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge) · August · Late Summer
🟡 Approaching — within 5°F of trigger range
Select month
Terrestrials peak. Caddis. Wild fish hold in cool gorge pools.
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
About South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge)
The crown jewel of New Jersey fly fishing — the Ken Lockwood Gorge section in Hunterdon County offers a dramatic, roadless canyon of freestone water holding wild and stocked brown and rainbow trout. Designated fly-fishing only with catch-and-release through much of the gorge, it fishes best at low-to-moderate flows with dry flies and nymphs. It draws serious anglers from across the Mid-Atlantic for its combination of wild fish, scenery, and quality regulations.
Regulations
Fly-fishing only in the Ken Lockwood Gorge (approx. 2.5 miles). Catch-and-release only for trout within the gorge. Standard NJ trout season applies outside the gorge. Check current NJDEP regulations for special season dates and size/creel limits. NOTE: USGS gauges 01396500 and 01397000 are unverified — flow data may be stale or unavailable; check with local outfitters as backup.
Learn More
Guides to help you fish South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge) with more confidence.
New Jersey Fishing Regulations for Fly Anglers
NJ freshwater fishing license, the separate Trout Stamp required statewide, the second Saturday in April opener, the Ken Lockwood Gorge fly-only…
Trout Species of New Jersey
NJ's wild brown trout fishery — the Ken Lockwood Gorge on the South Branch Raritan, the limestone-influenced Musconetcong, the Black/Lamington gorge…
How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)
That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…