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
↓ Falling
24-Hr Pressure
29.51 inHg · → High/stable
Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory
Water temperature is at or above 68°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
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
☁️Overcast
83° / 54°
Tomorrow
🌧️Rain
67° / 53°
0.52"
Thu
🌦️Drizzle
61° / 49°
0.09"
Fri
☁️Overcast
57° / 43°
0.01"
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?
One call. Specific to today's exact conditions on the South Branch Raritan River (Ken Lockwood Gorge).
5.4
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) · May · Late Spring
🟡 Approaching — within 5°F of trigger range
Select month
HENDRICKSON peak. Caddis. MARCH BROWN. Sulphurs (size 16-18). Wild trout in gorge active.
🟢 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.