<b>NEW YORK</b>

<b>Salmon River</b>

Anglers targeting steelheads on the river, running at 1,800 CFS, should pinch on heavier split shots to keep the egg sacks on the bottom in the strong flow, said Ritchie at <b>All Seasons Sports</b> in Pulaski. The fishing was okay upriver and in the Salmon’s tributaries but was slow downriver, where the currents built. Be sure to give the tributaries a try, because the steelies often hole up there.

<b>PENNSYLVANIA</b>

Flooding started to drop down on the Delaware River after the big storm a couple of weekends ago, and the lower river seemed to give up the most action, said Bill from <b>Brinkman’s Bait & Tackle</b> in Philadelphia. The waters off Station Avenue, the Frankford Arsenal and National Park held smaller stripers to 18 inches that ate up bloodworms. Catfish 15 to 22 inches were bagged in the same areas on stink baits. Larger stripers to 36 inches were taken near the Commodore Barry Bridge and even farther down near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Fishing in the Salem Canal was a good bet to catch large white perch and a few keeper stripers. Both inhaled bloodworms, squid strips, clams and chicken livers.

<b>NEW JERSEY</b>

<b>North Jersey</b>

Anglers just started to fish the Delaware River again, because the flooding began to subside, said Bill from <b>Bill’s Bait & Tackle</b> in Phillipsburg. But suckers were the only fish hooked in this section of the river so far.  The ice completely melted at Merrill Creek Reservoir, and the impoundment was just reopened to boat fishing.

Small, shallow ponds were the first to begin clearing up from recent rains, said Kevin from <b>Ramsey Outdoor</b> in Succasunna. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch and pickerel fed again. Lake Hopatcong toward the state park turned up a selection of yellow perch, chain pickerel and small largemouth bass, chasing small jigs and fathead minnows. Stream anglers could try for trout on the South Branch of the Raritan River with early black stoneflies.

Yellow perch, pickerel and crappies were on tap in the lake, said Laurie at <b>Dow’s Boat Rentals</b> in Lake Hopatcong. The shallower waters near the state park and the lake toward Brady Bridge served up most catches, and fathead minnows, Rufus Jr. Jigs and Cubby Mini-Mite Jigs worked.

Now that the ice was out on Lake Hopatcong, anglers waited for water temperatures to rise, said Mark at <b>Meltzer’s Sporting Goods</b> in Garfield. A few anglers said the lake near Brady Bridge attracted a few crappies, and fathead minnows scored them well.

Stream levels began to ease down, said Steve from <b>Lebanon Bait & Sport Shop</b>. Trouters returned to the South Branch of the Raritan River, pulling out the fish on bead-headed nymphs and small streamers. Round Valley Reservoir held rainbows and browns near the shoreline, and boaters could troll Rapala crank baits or large streamer flies to put the trout to 5 pounds in the boat. Shore casters could launch out nightcrawlers or shiners for a hit.

The trout streams ran high and fast, said Bill Hoffman from <b>Skylands Angler</b> in Clinton. So trouting was mostly on hold, and wading the streams was dangerous. But the warmer weather sparked improved fishing on the lakes on a couple of trips in the past week, and that was a good option for anglers. Northern pike got more active, and largemouth bass stirred around. Hybrid striped bass should begin to cooperate soon. Skylands Angler guides fly-fishing trips for trout on the Musconetcong and Pequest rivers and Ken Lockwood Gorge. Bill aims to teach anglers, whether beginners or advanced, how to fish the rivers, even so they can come back and catch on their own. That includes fly selection, how to fish the flies, casting lessons and all aspects. He also offers fly trips for other freshwater fish, like pike, hybrid striped bass, carp and largemouth bass. Plus he guides trips in the ocean and bay surf during the spring and fall migrations at Sandy Hook and Island Beach State Park with both conventional and fly tackle.

<b>Central Jersey</b>

While streams ebbed down to normal levels, most customers targeted trout along the shores of Round Valley Reservoir, said Bert at <b>Efinger Sporting Goods</b> in Bound Brook. The Ranger’s Cove area offered rainbows and browns willing to bite nightcrawlers and Power Baits.

Prospertown Lake, Lake Riviera and the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area lakes put up fantastic fishing for crappies, said Dennis from <b>Murphy’s Hook House</b> in Toms River. Small shiners and fathead minnows got strikes. At Lake Riviera largemouth bass and chain pickerel also jumped on crank baits. Holdover trout were angled from Spring Lake on nightcrawlers. The Trilco stretch of the Toms River was a paradise for fishing for both white and yellow perch that pounced on killies.

Crappie fishing was really turning on at Gropp’s Lake and Stone Tavern Lake, said Sean at <b>Harry’s Army and Navy</b> in Robbinsville. Small, 1/32-ounce, chartreuse hair jigs tipped with curly grubs were key, and largemouth bass and chain pickerel also smacked the jigs. Catch the shop’s Spring Fishing Sale on Saturday and Sunday. Fishing celebrity Larry Dahlberg will make an appearance.

<b>South Jersey</b>

Pickerel fishing really started to amp up, said Ed from <b>Creek Keepers</b> in Blackwood. Fathead minnows and nightcrawlers were a top choice to wallop the fish at Grenloch Lake and Blackwood Lake, and a few small, ½-pound largemouth bass were in the mix. Grenloch also produced a showing of holdover trout and a smattering of crappies. Striped bass began to feed in the lower section of the Delaware River, and bloodworms hooked them to 28 inches. The store reopened full time.

Whopper holdover trout sometimes prowled around Oak Pond, said Lou at <b>Sportsman’s Outpost</b> in Williamstown. Power Bait gobs got them to strike. Crappies woke up at Franklinville Lake, whacking grub-tailed jigs twitched under a bobber. At the Menantico Ponds chain pickerel and yellow perch swiped fathead minnows.

Striped bass fishing began on the Delaware River, said Matt from <b>Shag’s Bait & Tackle</b> in Pennsville. Shorts 18 to 20 inches were common, eating up bloodworms in the Carney’s Point and Pennsville stretches. Larger bass no doubt will be on the way. The shop’s Striper Tournament takes place this weekend for a $20 sign-up fee, and anglers must register by Friday.

White perch kept anglers busy on the Maurice and Great Egg Harbor rivers, said Steve from <b>Blackwater Sports Center</b> in Vineland. A formidable channel catfishery was going down on the Maurice River, and up to 8-pounders scarfed up stink baits and nightcrawlers. Largemouth and smallmouth bass were claimed at Union Lake, and large smallmouths were tackled at Lake Audrey on Rat-L-Traps, crank baits and drop-shotted Senkos.

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