New Jersey Fishing Reports

Ice was yet to form on the lake for ice fishing, but angling for lake trout and yellow perch was hot and heavy on the open waters, said Luke from Fish307.com at Lake George. The lakers to 40 inches were trolled on size-44 Sutton Spoons, and the perch were taken in 25- to 35-foot depths in areas such as Dunham’s Bay and around Dome Island on ice-fishing jigs tipped with small bits of worms. Landlocked salmon could also be found in the top 20 feet of the water column on trolled or cast Speedy Shiner lures in orange with black dots.

Salmon River

The river’s flow was up, compared with the 335 CFS that was common for some time, and snow lay on the ground, and more was on the way, said Victor from Altmar’s Fish and Ride NY, a rental rancher for anglers. But the steelhead season shaped up to be better than salmon season was earlier this fall, and anglers now averaged 10 steelheads per trip, and some big bruisers to 16 pounds were tackled at times. The river at Route 2A, Pineville and Altmar were best, and the fish were more active after waters warmed after the early mornings. Trout beads fished under floats, egg patterns and worms got the most hook ups. Any colors of the beads and eggs seemed to work.

Steelhead fishing picked up, said Dave from All Seasons Sports in Pulaski. Average daily catches increased to five to ten fish per angler, and some true monsters to 15 pounds were wrestled in. The Sportsman’s Pool and the High Bridge area were two great steelhead hangouts, and late mornings were best, and glow-roe egg sacks and trout beads were top choices.

PENNSYLVANIA

Dredge Harbor was the most consistent area to find fish on the local Delaware River, said Helen from Brinkman’s Bait & Tackle in Philadelphia. Largemouth bass, yellow perch and a few crappies honed in on leadhead jigs tipped with fathead minnows. Walleyes were on the hunt farther up the river at New Hope and Bulls Island, willing to inhale fathead minnows and nightcrawlers. Trouting was top notch at Pennypack Creek on baby nightcrawlers and Power Baits.

NEW JERSEY

North Jersey

Trout fishing was consistently good on the Pequest and Musconetcong rivers, said Brendan at Ramsey Outdoor in Succasunna. Bigger trout to 24 inches pounded Roostertails and fathead minnows. A formidable walleye feed was on at Lake Hopatcong, and 8- to 9-pounders were hung on Rapala X-Raps cast off the points. There might not be as many numbers around, Brendan said, but the ones feeding were quality in size.

Largemouth bass fishing was surprisingly active at Lake Hopatcong, said Mark from Meltzer’s Sporting Goods in Garfield. The 15- to 20-foot edges off Raccoon Island were a hot area to cast out Keitech jigs for a tug. The Pompton Lakes also sustained a bigmouth chew. Hopatcong also held plenty of yellow perch that chased down fathead minnows sent out on float rigs. The Brady Bridge area of the lake was a perch magnet lately. Trout fishing was solid on the Ramapo and Wanaque rivers, and baby nightcrawlers claimed the fish to 4 pounds.

Shoreline brown trout fishing was great at Round Valley Reservoir, said Steve from Lebanon Bait & Sport Shop. Rangers Cove dished up 2- to 3-pounders and also 2- to 4-pound lake trout for bank casters throwing shiners out with a simple split shot. Remember that lake trout season reopened with a three-fish bag limit on 15- to 20-inchers and a one-fish limit on 24-inchers or larger. Stream anglers played rainbow trout to 4 pounds on the deeper pools of the South Branch of the Raritan River on baby nightcrawlers.

Central Jersey

Trouters were happy with the catches at the South Branch of the Raritan and Pequest rivers, said Bert from Efinger Sporting Goods in Bound Brook. Most of the anglers scored with Power Baits and baby nightcrawlers. Round Valley Reservoir’s shoreline around the boat launch gave up rainbow trout. Be sure to check out the holiday sale at the store for 30 percent off selected fly reels and discounts on most tackle.

Customers tried for trout at Lake Shenandoah, said Dennis from Murphy’s Hook House in Toms River. On days with westerly winds, fishing near the boat launch was best, and on easterly winds, the dam area produced the most. Bobber rigs with nightcrawlers flung between the weeds got the strikes. Chain pickerel were a source of steady fights for those swimming killies at Lake Horicon and in the Trilco stretch of the Toms River.

Skim ice made casting for largemouth bass and pickerel tough, said Frank from Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville. But when the afternoon temps melted off the layer, anglers could grab the bass at Lake Assunpink and the pickerel at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area lakes. Shiners got both to bite.

Lake Assunpink served up largemouth bass and pickerel, said Carl from the Sportsmen’s Center in Bordentown. Shiners suspended under slip floats among the stumps and stick piles scored hits from both. Activity with smallmouth bass and walleyes could be located on the Delaware River from Trenton on north. They both attacked 2-inch Mister Twisters in white and chartreuse bounced on the bottom.

South Jersey

Largemouth bass fishing absolutely lit up in the area, said Rick from Big Timber Bait & Tackle in Brooklawn. The small ponds along Route 73 and the Medford and Marlton ponds held not only numbers but bucketmouths to 7 and 8 pounds. Shiners drew their attention. Trout to 4 pounds were steadily reported caught after the winter stocking, and a variety of spots including Grenloch Lake, Haddon Lake, Hammonton Lake and Grenwich Lake all held big hook jaws.

Customers headed to Iona Lake to have at it with chain pickerel, said Lou from the Sportsman’s Outpost in Williamstown. Shiners fished under floats worked the best to hook up, and try to fish around the weed mats or stick piles to better target them.

Largemouth bassing was hit or miss, said Steve from Blackwater Sports Center in Vineland. But whenever the weather pattern seemed to stabilize for a three-day period or more, the bass were on the prowl. Parvin Lake and Sunset Lake were two top bass spots, and Rat-L-Traps were a good choice. But at Union Lake top-water poppers and drop-shotted Senkos did the job better on largemouths and also smallmouths. Now that the waters cooled, suspending jerk baits will also be the lure of choice to hook into a largemouth. Trout fishing was steady in the Maurice River, and Roostertails caught the fish to 4 pounds.