7-day U.S. Geological Survey chart
Recent flow
Discharge
42 cfs19 cfs
Sep 5Sep 11
Latest reading: 19 cfs. Stable over about 6 hours. Chart covers Sep 5 through Sep 11; readings are provisional and may be revised.
Should I go fishing?
Check the water temperature first.
Water temperature is unconfirmed. Use a stream thermometer; stop trout fishing at 70°F or warmer, or sooner if fish show stress.
Fishing rating92
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS shows 19 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1924-2025, 102 readings) show a typical middle range of 13 cfs to 49 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationMediumWater temperature not verified; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
If you go
- Check first
- Use the Flatbrookville gauge before deciding whether to wade.
- Try
- Confirm whether you are in general trout water or the C&R section before rigging.
- Leave when
- Skip Flat Brook when water is warm enough to stress trout, when the Flatbrookville gauge is flashing runoff or very low late-summer flow, when parking or access boundaries are unclear, or when you need a bigger river that tolerates pressure better.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 19 cfs
- Stable over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this reading
- Air forecast
- 58°F
- Next 24h high
- 78.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 0%
This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.
Latest stored weather check
Clear
- Wind
- 0 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Clear
National Weather Service
Flat Brook near Flatbrookville
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
Current U.S. Geological Survey gauge: Flat Brook near Flatbrookville
Stable over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this readingObserved
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Ant PatternsFoam antView fly guide ↗
- Beetle PatternsbeetleView fly guide ↗
- Grasshopper Patternssmall hopperView fly guide ↗
- Blue-Winged Olive PatternsBWOView fly guide ↗
- Zebra MidgeView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
March to April
What to look forMidges, early stones, BWOs, stocked-trout nymphing
May to June
What to look forCaddis, sulphurs, March Browns, crane flies, light mayflies
July to SeptemberThis season
What to look forTerrestrials, tricos in slower water, ants, beetles, summer caddis
Flies to try
Also try trico spinner, dry-dropper
Fall and winterThis season
What to look forBWOs, midges, scuds, small streamers during legal trout windows
Flies to try
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Flat Brook today.
Fish it on cool stable flows when clarity is good and trout handling is safe. Low warm summer water, muddy runoff, or unclear access should push you to a different plan.
Clear and cool
Use small nymphs, dries, scuds, and careful dry-dropper rigs.
Low and clear
Lengthen leaders, downsize flies, and move slowly.
Slight stain
Try a small bugger or larger nymph near banks.
Warm summer water
Fish early or skip trout handling.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option
Wading and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Wading92/100
Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.
Bank fishingNot recommended
This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.
Floating92/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Full river report
Is Flat Brook worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for New Jersey before you go.
Flat Brook can be one of New Jersey's better trout plans when water is cool, clear, and not too low. The key is matching the reach to the rules, especially the catch-and-release section and spring stocking closure details.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Riffle
- A riffle is shallow, fast water broken by rocks.
- Blue-winged olive (BWO)
- Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Dry-dropper
- A dry-dropper rig has a floating fly with an underwater fly tied below it.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
- Pocket water
- Pocket water is a small calm spot among rocks or fast current.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowHelps
USGS shows 19 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1924-2025, 102 readings) show a typical middle range of 13 cfs to 49 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Fall and winter: BWOs, midges, scuds, and quieter C&R-style fishing where legal.
WeatherHelps
The current NWS air forecast is about 58F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 78F. Clear.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip Flat Brook when water is warm enough to stress trout, when the Flatbrookville gauge is flashing runoff or very low late-summer flow, when parking or access boundaries are unclear, or when you need a bigger river that tolerates pressure better.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use USGS 01440000 near Flatbrookville as the live trend. Stable or slowly dropping flow is the cleanest signal. Very low summer water, muddy runoff, or fast rises should shorten the plan or move the day to a different trout river.
Skip Flat Brook when water is warm enough to stress trout, when the Flatbrookville gauge is flashing runoff or very low late-summer flow, when parking or access boundaries are unclear, or when you need a bigger river that tolerates pressure better.
Choose the reach first: Roy Bridge and the catch-and-release context when you want a rule-focused trout day, Flatbrookville for the gauge and easier public planning, or Delaware Water Gap access only after confirming park and road conditions.
If Flat Brook is too low, warm, muddy, or crowded, compare the Musconetcong, Pequest, or South Branch Raritan for stronger flow support and a more durable trout plan.
Flat Brook access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.
Before you go
New Jersey trout rules include special Flat Brook and Big Flat Brook reach details. Check current trout rules and access notes before fishing.
Where to access the river
Route 206 to Roy Bridge C&R context
Core rule reach to verify before fishing.
Flatbrookville and Roy Bridge area
Important gauge and public-access planning area.
Delaware Water Gap/Walpack context
Remote access planning with park and road conditions to consider.
- NJ Fish and Wildlife lists many access points, but anglers still need to respect posted land and parking limits.
- Remote roads can be slow, and cell service may be limited.
- Brook trout conservation rules and C&R rules can be stricter than general trout expectations.
Sources and report details
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 7 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page for stocking or fish population information.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report is maintained from current regulation, access, flow, weather, and public planning sources so anglers can make better trip decisions than a raw gauge or generic overview would allow.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Quick questions
What should I check first before fishing Flat Brook?
Check the USGS Flatbrookville gauge, NJ trout rules, access list, stocking information, weather, and water temperature.
Are there special fishing rules on Flat Brook?
Yes. The Flat Brook/Big Flat Brook system has special reach rules, including catch-and-release water.
What flies should I bring for Flat Brook?
Bring the hatch-chart flies, a few confidence nymphs, and a streamer or warmwater box that matches the river's species. Then adjust for water temperature, clarity, and the insects or baitfish you actually see.
Can I wade Flat Brook?
Yes in many places at normal flows, but access and rule boundaries matter. Use official access points.
When should I skip Flat Brook?
Skip it when flows are unsafe, water is too warm for trout, emergency closures are active, or legal access for the reach is not clear.