The lake was un-ice-fishable, said Jim from Dow’s Boat Rentals in Lake Hopatcong. A little bit of open waters were located toward Brady Bridge, and anglers could try dropping in a fathead minnow for crappies or pickerel there. But otherwise, it’s going to be another week before the lake begins to open up to allow fishing.

Ice anglers had to trudge through lots of slushy slop at Lake Musconetcong, said Al from Meltzer’s Sporting Goods in Garfield. They were rewarded with yellow perch and pickerel, but that might’ve been all she wrote on ice fishing for the year. The Woodport section of Lake Hopatcong had held the last safe ice, but that might also be history. Trout fishers focused on the Paulinskill River, drifting pink shrimp-colored salmon eggs with a split shot on light line to nab rainbows. Fishing the faster waters at the ends of pools was key. Word had just come in about northern pike 7 to 9 pounds beginning to smack shiners in the Passaic River. Striped bass to 38 inches were also pulled in on Spro bucktails.

The trophy trout circus kept rolling on at Round Valley Reservoir, said Steve at Lebanon Bait & Sport Shop. An average of four big, 4- to 7-pound breeders a day were weighed in. Rangers Cove doled out 16- to 18-inch trout, and Tom Peck landed a 6-1/2-pound rainbow there on a Phoebe. The trout hung in 10-foot depths right close to shore, and boaters trolled very close to shore with Rapalas and orange streamer flies to connect. Throw anything orange at them, because that was the go-to color. Reports about large trout to 4 pounds also came from the South Branch of the Raritan River. Nightcrawlers drifted on the bottom banged them out. Spruce Run Reservoir’s anglers waited for the last of the ice to thaw so they could target northern pike and crappies.

The winter weather finally broke, and Skylands Angler from Clinton fished the streams for trout, and the fish cooperated, Bill Hoffman said. Waters were high and a little dirty because of snowmelt, but trout were definitely able to be plucked out. Streamers worked well, and darker colors seemed best, and Bill favored a black Wooly Bugger. Weight on the fly or line was needed to get the pattern down in the high waters. Bill’s also been enjoying some of Doug McKnight’s flies such as the Saskwatch that are meant for big rivers like the Yellowstone, because the flies will also get down and are innovative. The warmer weather should trigger bugs including blue-winged olives to hatch. If the weather holds, micro caddis hatches might begin. Lots of trout anglers filled the waters, and that was a good thing, showing that the fishing was picking up. The angling should keep improving. On other fronts, carp started to move around in the lakes and reservoirs, and Bill thinks they’re an excellent fish to target. Carp are big, strong and can be spooky. Northern pike are another big, strong fish on the menu. They can also be selective, a fun challenge to catch. In saltwater, bluefish should invade the surf in the ocean and bays in late April or early May, kicking off Bill’s surf angling trips. The cantankerous, aggressive fighters offer great sport yet can be relatively easier to entice to bite. That makes them an especially good fish for beginners. But even a veteran like Bill never grows tired of fighting a blue. Migrating striped bass should come through soon afterward in the surf. 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.

Big trout were claimed at Round Valley Reservoir, said Amy from Efinger Sporting Goods in Bound Brook. The fish to 7 pounds swiped Rapalas. The store’s annual Spring Festival runs Thursday to March 21, featuring zillions of great deals on everything in stock. That includes 40 percent off all fish-finders and GPS units, 30 percent off Rogue rods, 20 percent off Power Pro line and many more specials.