Map(s)
 Road map (977x768). 155K size. 15.5 mi loop around the lake (GPs eXchange format) 13.1 mi loop around the lake; high water levels (GPs eXchange format)
Scenery 
Because of its unusual shape, this one of the prettiest lakes in the state, having the greatest ratio of shore line to water acreage of all the large lakes. Stay clear of the tower near the north dam, and the spillway in the southeast. In the northern branch, you will find fishermen lining the northwestern edge, followed by a stream that crosses under Van Syckles Road. When the water levels are near normal, there is a concrete slab, just below the surface, which will scratch gelcoats. (It is located at the entrance to Willoughby Brook.) The eastern side is tree-lined, with a house near the mid point. Deer are the most common land animal.
The southern branch has an island (Big Goose Island) near its western shore (northern section), and two sub branches. During a drought, or when enough water has been drained out of the reservoir, the beach around Big Goose Island is sloped enough to easily land. During the 2008 drought, the island merged with the western shore of the branch. (History: This island has been evolving since I started kayaking here, in 1997. Originally, it was just a patch of sand. I strongly regret not having captured this evolution, photographicly.)
The eastern sub branch is a spillway; stay clear of it. At the bottom of the branch, there is a small dam, with a house behind it. This is one of the first areas to freeze when it gets cold.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, stay away from the roped area of the beach. This area is for swimmers only. (Warning!!! Do not cross the buoys; you will get yelled at by the lifeguards, even if you stay far away from the swimmers.) But it is a nice haven during the off season to get a second wind.
The southwestern branch is the largest & most scenic branch, but also the shallowest. During a drought, it becomes boring fast. In the eastern subbranch, there is a tiny island near the eastern shore. If water levels are high enough, you can paddle between the island and the shore. Expect to hear gun shots, since this area backs up to a public gun range.
The map of the reservoir is deceptive: Where it indicates more reservoir, is actually reeds and a small stream. With high enough water levels, you can paddle the stream to the in-coming rapids. (This area has clear water riveling near-by Round Valley.) In Spring 2004, a dead tree was blocking this stream. Credit Aaron Prestup for ID'ing a beaver lodge in this area.
Pick your time of year to visit, carefully. May is the best, since water levels are at their peak, and if you go before Memorial Day weekend, there is no fee. September, through the fall is the worst: During the summer, water is drained. Result? Spruce Run is a mud hole. (You lose several miles of shoreline, and in some years, the entire SW branch.)
Impact of the 2002 Drought: The northern branch becomes too shallow, nearly 0.4 mi before reaching Van Syckles Road. Cannot comment on the north central branch, but it is a couple minute walk from the pavement to the water's edge. In a very bad drought situation, there is an island in the dam area, but I did not see it on my last outing. (It might have been visible at the end of the summer, before the autumn rains.)
Normally, you have to exercise some caution near the spillway in the southern branch; but not now. It is at least 20 feet from the spillway to the water's edge. The fish tail is impassable in spots, with very little to see. You would never know that the island in the west of the branch is not supposed to be there. It is flourishing, with trees taking over; the channel to the west is almost too shallow to pass through.
Totally forget the western branch. There is a tiny island in the middle of the entrance, and it appears that it is just too shallow to get into.
Fees
Off season, free. $5 on week days, $10 on weekends & federal holidays (e.g. Fri, 3-Jul-2009 was a $10 fee, because it was classified as a 'federal holiday' ... despite being on a weekday, not the actual holiday, and it being a snail mail delivery day). Even with this fee, there are long lines to get in on summer weekends, so plan accordingly.
For $50, you can purchase a NJ State Park permit, which gives you access to numerous fee-based NJ state parks for the year. The launch area at Round Valley is not a state park. (Unlike PA's system of paying by the boat, NJ's fee is a parking permit.)
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Hours of Operation
7:00 → 20:00 on weekends & 8:00 → 18:30 on weekdays, from Memorial Day weekend to the end of Labor Day weekend (i.e. when an entrance fee is being charged). Sunrise → sunset the rest of the year.
Directions
Take route 31 north, 3.5 mi past the route 78 intersection, to Van Syckles Road. Make a left at this traffic light onto Van Syckles Road. Proceed 1.5 mi to the Spruce Run park entrance, which is on the left. After paying your fee at the booth, make a left at the first intersection past the park office.
Drive to the boat launch area, where you will see restrooms on your right. Turn right here, passing the restrooms on your left, to the water's edge, where you can unload your boat. Then park your car in the gravely parking area on your right.
Parking
Gravely and unpaved, but ample. I have never had a problem.
Distance to the Launch Area
The parking area is a few car lengths from the water's edge, but it is still easier to unload the boat, then park.
Restrooms
There are restrooms at both the park office & swimming beach area, which are closed during the off season, and the boat launch area. On a trip during Independence Day weekend, the restrooms at the boat launch were not open.
Status of Launch Area
During the 2002 drought, the water's edge was nearly 200' from the edge of the pavement. During the spring, it is under a boat length from the pavement. Drop your boat off at the end of the pavement & park in the parking area. Some sand, mud, and course gravel to deal with, when launching. Fall is the worst: Expect a hike to the water's edge & watch for mud! During a drought, condsider launching from south of the boat ramps.
Wind Conditions
Despite its size, this reservoir is not as windy as Round Valley or Merrill Creek, since there are few wide open areas. Stay in the 'branches' to avoid the nasty winds.
Power Boats
Limited to 10 hp. Gas-powered boats tend to stay put once they find a good fishing spot.
Foliage
SPECTACULAR! Nothing like Lake Lenape, but still beautiful.
Rolling Practice?
Forget it! Spruce Run has become a Canadian Goose toilet.
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Road map (977x768). 155K size. 15.5 mi loop around the lake (GPs eXchange format) 13.1 mi loop around the lake; high water levels (GPs eXchange format)