Malaga Lake NJ Photography And Guide

Deep in the heart of Gloucester County lies Malaga Lake, a 100-acre hidden gem that serves as a cornerstone of recreation for Franklin Township and travelers. Named after the city of Málaga in Spain - reportedly due to the historical success of grape growing in the area - this lake offers a quiet alternative to the more crowded parks of South Jersey.

Whether you are an avid angler, a nature photographer, or a family looking for a weekend picnic spot, Malaga Lake Park provides a scenic backdrop of Atlantic White Cedars and winding waterways.

You're looking for helpful information on Malaga Lake in Franklin Township, NJ. You're likely searching for information on one of the following topics. Fishing. Photography. Recreational activities. History of Malaga Lake. This post covers all four topics.

Malaga Lake photo taken from the nature trail.

1. Fishing At Malage Lake

Containing remnants of an old cedar swamp and stumps, this lake makes it suitable for using electric motorboats, canoes, and kayaks to fish.

The three most abundant types of fish in the lake are largemouth bass, yellow perch, and pickerel.

In the warmer weather months parts of the lake are overrun by "weedy" areas. During these times the lake is famous for lily pads and vegetation, so be prepared.

Malaga Lake Video And Fishing Guide

2. Photography

Located in the northeast of the USA Malaga lake offers four different seasons for a variety of photographic opportunities year round. Bald Eagles, Great Egrets, and Osprey are known to frequent this area, and combined with the song birds, make for great photographic subjects.

The lake is also home to turtles, various waterfowl, and rare plants like the purple bladderwort and spatulate leaf sundew to photograph.

Early morning calm makes for great mirror reflection photos. Look for shots of "tea-colored" cedar water, abundant water lilies, and Atlantic white cedars.

Entrance to Malaga Park is hard to miss.
Renamed to honor Sergeant Gonzalez

Trail head sign starts the nature walk.
Trail is well marked and easy to follow

Malaga Lake Photos in Winter

Malaga Lake Native Wildflowers

Malaga Lake Ice Patterns

3. Recreation Opportunities At Malaga Lake

PLAYGROUND: The playground has age-appropriate equipment and is in excellent condition.

PICNIC AREAS: There are no pavilions, but there are grills, and close proximity of tables to the water for parties.

BOAT RAMP: The ramp was designed well to work easily for launching your small motorboat, canoe, or kayak.

HIKING: There's a nice flat hiking trail, only about a mile round trip.

4. History of Malaga Lake

Originally a millpond, the lake was formed by damming streams (Scotland Run and Malaga Branch) to power mills in the area, a common practice in South Jersey's early industrial days.

In the late 1800s it became the site of a Methodist camp meeting ground (Malaga Camp), with many cottages and community gatherings, establishing it as a recreational destination.

The land was once productive farmland before becoming a camp and eventually a public lake, with the surrounding area known for its agriculture and early glassworkers.

Today, hikers of the nature trail can still find the scattered remains of old summer homes and historic structures tucked away in the woods, giving the trails a touch of "lost history" charm.

Malaga Lake NJ Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Malaga Lake in Franklin Township New Jersey?

Malaga Lake is more than 100 acres large with different shoreline characteristics, depending on what side of the lake you visit.

Is Malaga Lake a good spot for getting good nature photos?

Yes, there is an abundance of opportunities for getting great photos of Malaga Lake and the surrounding vegetation and wildlife.

How old is Malaga Lake?

Malaga Lake is a manmade lake, being almost 100 years old.

How deep is Malaga Lake

Malaga Lake, in Gloucester County, NJ, is relatively shallow, with an average depth of a little over 5 feet. Many of the local fisherman say that 4 feet is considered as the deeper parts of the lake.

Are there bathrooms at Malaga Lake Park?

Porta-potties are on-site at the edge of the main parking lot.

How is the parking at the lake?

There are two parking lots at Malaga Lake Park. The main lot is closest to the playground equipment and large enough to fit at least 50 cars. The parking lot for the boat ramp is almost as big and has ample space for cars or trucks with trailers attached.

Where is Malaga Lake Park located"

Malaga Lake Park is located in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, near the intersection of Route 40 and Route 55.

Malaga Lake NJ Map

Additional Resources

Malaga Lake Park Trail Guide - Printable PDF

Nearby Pine Barren Photography

Another Great Recreational Sport That's Nearby To Malaga Lake

Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of TravelingPhotographer.com. Bruce shot portraits full time for over 35 years. Now he shoots more travel photography. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips and Canon Geek websites.

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