New Jersey
South Branch Raritan River — Ken Lockwood Gorge
Current River Rating
Poor · 36
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 92.5 CFS
- Gage Height
- 6.19 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:45 AM
Updated recently · Nearby USGS station 01396500 · Proxy monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
70°F
Feels like
69°F
Wind
10 mph N
Wind gust
24 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.23 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 5 AM
Overcast
Temp 67°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 9 AM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 1 PM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 5 PM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 9 PM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 1 AM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 65°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 24 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Heavy rain
High 72°F / Low 62°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.52 in
Max gust 16 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 55°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 56°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Bounded South Branch Raritan trout reach centered on the Ken Lockwood Gorge / High Bridge corridor. This is not an undifferentiated whole-river South Branch Raritan destination and not the North Branch Raritan. USGS station 01396500 near High Bridge is an acceptable proxy for this bounded fishing reach: it monitors the High Bridge gauge subreach and does not capture every gorge microhabitat nuance. Live water-temperature IV at this station is stale and not usable as current measured temperature.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at South Branch Raritan River — Ken Lockwood Gorge.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
South Branch Raritan River at Ken Lockwood Gorge is a New Jersey trout river. Completed Flow Context keeps this destination explicit-deferred (private DENY, public OFF). This repair adds fishery identity only and does not authorize Flow rollout.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Agency trout-stocked / wild-trout river target.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Agency trout-stocked or wild brook trout where the named reach supports them.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Agency trout-stocked companion species.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Ken Lockwood Gorge public trout access is documented by NJ Fish & Wildlife.
Stocking information
Confirm current official stocking on the agency stocking report. This profile does not treat occurrence as a live stocking claim.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Stocked
Brook Trout
Stocked · New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
Official sources
Verify current official seasons, limits, and special trout regulations before fishing.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Hunterdon, New Jersey
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Hunterdon
Management Category
Trout stream
Regulation Scope
Ken Lockwood Gorge / High Bridge South Branch Raritan trout reach
Regulation Summary
NJDEP trout regulations and scenic-gorge management may apply; confirm current seasons, methods, and limits.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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