Merrill Creek, the county's largest impoundment, which reaches depths of two-hundred feet, already contains an impressive population . Along the way to the Delaware River it flows through Lake Musconetcong and then the southeastern side of the Pohatcong Mountain ridge. Cave Run Lake is one of the top 10 destinations to catch a trophy muskellunge. They start out small The same can be true for muskies; focus on that magic time. Statewide. Tijuana Garage Menu| Or he's just dressed in awesome 90's era hunting camo. By fall 2021 they should be 16-18 inches, approximately 24 inches by fall 2022, and 30 inches after . Switch things up by also using chartreuse and white variations, both straight and jointed versions. the PA Fish and Boat Commission recently changed to only holdover Spring stocking to grow a bigger fish) we are stocking muskies in both spring and fall. Musky Shop is a retailer of Musky Fishing Tackle and Equipment. Cover and structure includes points, rocky areas, coves, shoreline riprap, brush, and channel mouths. Located on 120 acres of preserved farm in Warren County, the rehabilitation center provides treatment to orphaned, sick or injured wildlife including fawns, raccoon, skunks, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks and other small mammals. During the spring and early summer, the river fishes well for trout. Penn-Jersey Chapter 50 Muskies Inc. division of fish & wildlife: home This potential state-record muskie was found floating dead on the lake. In New Jersey, the state record was caught by Bob Neals at Monksville Reservoir in January, 1997, and weighed in at 42 pounds, 13 ounces. Gamefish like to move along the steepest drop-offs in cold water, where they dont have to burn many calories to rise from depths to shallows if a rise in temperatures occasions some activity. 116 Shore Rd. Natural bait, artificial flies and lures catch fish year round. The growing abundance of shad in spring reminds us again how fortunate we are to have in our midst the largest free flowing river in the East, one that has eagerly responded to conservation and clean up efforts. Besides the nimble rainbow, plenty brookies and browns still swim those big rivers which flow through a progression from rugged terrain to the north and west to the gentle farmland of the east and south. You can review the latest newsletter here, and of course you'll be able to unsubscribe anytime. Of course, neighboring states like New York and Pennsylvania also host excellent muskie fisheries. Fishing In Warren County New Jersey. A wire leader with a clip on the terminal end will provide the fly with additional action. Penn-Jersey Chapter 50 Muskies Inc. Staff from the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery recently completed this year's stocking of fall fingerling (10") and yearling (12") muskellunge in nine waters: The Fall Fingerlings were hatched April 1, 2020, growing to 10 inches in 6.5 months. The fish weighed an astounding 55 lbs. It would be shameful not to mention the 55-inch, 47-pound muskie that was found by fishermen in 1996. The muskie struck so close the `Yak that I never even had to turn the handle on the reel! Unlike some other states (e.g. | search, Copyright State of New Jersey, 1996-2020 Department of Environmental Protection P.O. This 48-inch muskie, caught by Cory Ramsey, created quite a bit of excitement at Smith Mountain Lake. Unlike some other states (e.g. You can review the latest newsletter here, and of course you'll be able to unsubscribe anytime. Deep trolling the cooler waters near points and drop-offs in late summer and early fall is also productive. Followers 0. A photograph or a graphite replica makes an excellent trophy and remembrance of your fish. Warren County is flanked by the river valleys of the Musconetcong and Delaware, and traversed by the Paulins Kill and Pequest. Muskie on! home | about Swamp fishing for Snakeheads in South Jersey, Night Time Kayaking for Flatheads on the Delaware River. Most muskie fishermen choose a medium-heavy casting rod with a level wind reel. Shallow weedy areas of lakes warm up first in the spring and are a good bet for early season. on his own scale in May 2012. She says muskies might feed on them among weeds where herring spawn during spring. A North Carolina angler got a welcomed surprise last month when he hooked into a gigantic musky while fishing on Fontana Lake near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.. I asked, So everyone`s leaving? Andrew said, Yea we`ve been here since 6am, had a couple follows and these guys caught one.We`re going to head over to Oxford I replied, Ohhhhok. In no way does thathipsterlife.com claim ownership or responsibility for such items, and you should seek legal consent for any use of such materials from its owner. Re; NJ Kayaking Course. Listed here are public boat launch ramps and boat landings, free to the public. Used to trout fish it as a kid during the stocking season. Beyond that age growth slows with many variables coming into play, including available forage base and sex (males are always smaller than females). Sunday concerts on the manor lawn are a favorite during the summer. The state-licensed sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, supported entirely by volunteers and public donations. Description for Mountain Lake, Warren County, New Jersey. Trout Stocking Raised with pride at NJ Fish & Wildlife's Pequest Trout Hatchery. However, more recently established fisheries inLake Hopatcong, Mercer Lake and Mountain Lake are coming on strong. Maybe I'll try for Musky. But the Delawares kindest gift from the ocean is shad, when each spring millions of fish enter the Delaware Bay to begin the long and arduous upstream swim to their fresh water origins where they will spawn. For prize largemouth bass, Delaware Lake in Knowlton Township is one of only three lakes in the state designated as lunker bass lakes, where there a fifteen-inch minimum size regulation assures the availability of more quality-sized fish. i . Mountain Lake is in Warren County. Lake X Lures Xtoad Shallow. Pickerel are present among the flourishing varieties of aquatic vegetation, too. New Jersey, United States 35 Logged catches. The warming water increases the muskie's metabolic activity and has them on the lookout for their favorite prey. That's several pounds over the state record. Trailer Hitch Receiver Accessories| The annual Open House and Fishermans Flea Market is the perfect tune-up for fishing season, with all kinds of outdoor activities, demonstrations and instruction. If those times won't work . Great early fall fish from a kayak - nothing like a good size muskie on medium light tackle in the lily pads !! They kind of float on top of the water, just swimming with their mouths open. While we fished for several hours thereafter, no more Muskies made it in the `Yaks. Lawrence Jopko, then 14 years old, was fishing for catfish with his uncle in the Delaware River near Washington crossing in 1990 when he caught the NJ State record tiger muskie. We will continue to post stories, profiles and scheduled events and hope you'll subscribe (for free!) For a real adventure, try the fly rod! VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The fish measured 48 inches in length with a 28.5 inch girth. Tuna Time Off the Delaware Coast, Finding Fluke: The Other Reef Structure, WMIT Turns 50! Bill Schmidt was fishing in Culvers Lake in 1999 when he caught a 16-pound, 4-ounce hybrid striped bass. limit-out Member; BST Users All rights reserved (About Us). Learn those variables and look for conditions when as many of them are in play at the same time and you can score with far less than a thousand casts. The fish was 42" long and had a girth of 32". 973-428-2500. That turned out to be the one and only Musky Ive ever caught in my life forty-four inches long!, Muskie tackle is specialized; lures can cost $30-40 each, and the rigs are heavy duty. Js Carpet Cleaning| Classic red and white is very productive although many other color variations will work as well, again with an eye on matching the hatch. New River Trail is located at 176 Orphanage Drive, Foster Falls, VA 24360. All our current programs began with eggs from New York and Pennsylvania, so were giving back now. The hatchery also sends northern pike to Massachusetts, while they have provided landlocked salmon for an exciting new venture. Recent TWRA Reports shed more light on this unique body of water. In either case, be sure to keep your drag nice and loose, and if you do hook up dont muscle the fish. Cranberry Lake has a reputation for its quality brook trout fishing, stocking 20,000 brook trout annually. The month of August is always productive for smallmouths, although we have not always caught big ones. Strip the fly in with a constant and erratic retrieve. In this photo, David J. Payne of Plainfield, shows off his record-setting 6-pound, 13 ounce American eel caught in Round Valley Reservoir on June 4, 2005. Jersey muskies moon phases and electronic sounds the fisherman njdep division of fish wildlife warmwater fishing in new we have it all photos 2019 star herald biggest starherald west virginia report from chase gibson musky hunter fall muskyouting wvdnr partners with . This lake a a public boat ramp, picnic area, disabled access, shore fishing access, restrooms, and allows power boats. Pequest began operations in 1981, when trout production was transferred from the Charles O. Hayford Hatchery in Hackettstown, the only other state-run hatchery in New Jersey. Trophy Musky Waters: Mountain & Echo Lake reservoirs Tiger Musky & Muskellunge: Muskellunge 40 inches CHAIN PICKEREL AND REDFIN PICKEREL As I wrestled with the mighty Esox, I yelled to the guys, I could use a little help please! with that, they quickly jolted over to me. I wrangled up this really nice 37 inch Muskie fishing out of my `Yak up at Mountain Lake. The lake covers 929 acres and is located near Meadville in Crawford county. One key to muskie fishing is the retrieve. YouTube, Permit Coordination & Environmental Review/EO215, Pesticides, Waste & Underground Storage Tank, Equal Opportunity and Contract Assistance, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Unit, Permit Coordination & Environmental Review, Science, Research and Environmental Health. Home Depot Parts And Accessories| Facebook Muskies get caught year round, whether from weedbeds and along deep edges of weedlines during warm months, or through the ice. With the exception of those grown by private facilities, every stocked fish in the state was born and raised in clean, fresh water from Warren County ground. Although there is no hard and fast rule, the veteran muskie angler frequently employs a fast retrieve. In October 2017, TWRA stocked 600 musky in Parksville Reservoir with an average size of 13 inches. This monster cat must've tasted great blackened with some cajun seasoning. Greenwood Lake. 532 But rather than take the fish for an official weigh needed for an official record, he chose to release the egg-laden fish so it could live on and reproduce. October 14, 2018 kenabeam. Low Country House Plans With Wrap Around Porch| (source: NJ DEP), There are two categories of records for striped bass, one each for salt and fresh water. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. View fishing report Hamilton noted that during recent electroshock samplings, sunfisha musky forage stapleare lacking in number and small. Fishing is relatively consistent from late spring to mid-fall, with September and October considered two of the best months. During the fall, these flats remain productive, and as the weeds die off in October, action while casting spinnerbaits can be arm-yanking any time of day. We will continue to post stories, profiles and scheduled events and hope you'll subscribe (for free!) Went there once last yearhad a musky follow a bass- sized crankbait back to the boat and follow three turns of the figure-eight movementwhen it looked like he was hitting it, I set the hook prematurely and missed. Olive NJ and was once a small pond in the middle of a sand and gravel pit. Collins River Musky. Stick baits by the likes of Rapala or Yo-Zuri are a good choice. The trout was 23 inches in length with a girth of 17 inches. Greenwood Lake It seems counterintuitive but your lure selection is much less important than all of the other variables involved. Keep in mind that fishing when multiple variable conditions are in play is much more important than the amount of time you put in, or how many casts you make. Spit Fire Triple Barrel Buckshot Alabama Rig. Shoreline stretches on both sides of the lake feature steep weedy drop-offs where muskies take refuge along the bottom edge of the green stuff, possibly snatching a sucker on occasion, and rushing up from below upon sunfish highlighted above. This has greatly increased the opportunity for everyone to experience the thrill of seeing a muskie engulf your lure at boatside. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. as an active member. Similarly, in trolling, so called speed trolling can be productive. These are the things you'll need to know before you hit the Shore, the shoreline or the bank. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, gear, troubleshooting, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! New Jersey's stocking sizes and rates are recommended by Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries regional biologists to create and maintain fisheries. . Fishing Regulations for Mountain Lakes Fish Season Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish, crappie and yellow perch) Open All Year Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass May 1, 2021 to March 6, 2022 Muskellunge and hybrids May 29, 2021 to December 31, 2021 Northern pike May 1, 2021 to March 6, 2022. In Region 4, Canadarago Lake is once again stocked with tigers. You'll be able to reel in Bass, Perch, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout, as well as Lake Trout. A slight uptick in water temperature may also help to turn muskellunge on to striking. Also try an extremely slow retrieve from time to time. The steepest is to the left of the launch ramp. There is a strong catch-and-release ethic among the muskie fishing fraternity. Musky Trout Hatchery,LLC Fish Delivered or Picked-up at our Scenic Hatchery in Warren County 279 Bloomsbury Road, Asbury, NJ 08802 150 The leaves are turning color, the nights are getting cooler and the Muskies are fired up! Ryker Lake. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The fresh water record is held by John Christian, who was fishing from the shore of the Great Egg Harbor River in Mays Landing on April 26, 2002, when he caught the record bass. This section of the river is composed of long slow pools interconnected by shallow riffles and rapids. 274 Depue St Belvidere Nj 07823 Zillow (source: NJ DEP), John Viglione of Ringwood made his way onto the state record fish list in 2009 by landing a state record Northern Pike. Echo Lake Reservoir contains a strain of muskellunge known as the Leech Lake strain. (source NJ DEP), Andrew Du-Jack holds his state record brook trout caught on May 1, 1995, in the Rockaway River. The muskellunge is the largest member of the pike family, a highly prized sportfish and a true trophy. March Bass Madness gets underway again along the sod banks and sedges in the Garden State. When the state DNR conducted its muskie tagging study it collected muskies, by way of electrofishing, at the rate of one every 12 minutes. (source: NJ DEP), The New Jersey state record channel catfish caught by Howard Hudson in 1978 in Lake Hopatcong. Most anglers in New Jersey abide by an unwritten law of catch and release for muskies, but in any case, Mountain Lake does have a March 20 to May 20 closure on harvest. Share your photos and stories in the comment or email me at bdonohue@njadvancemedia.com for possible inclusion in this gallery. Both of us broke records here in our home state instead of in Maine. Catching a trophy muskellunge - or muskie - is one of the greatest thrills that can be experienced by any freshwater angler. Once you have made the same cast twice, focus on casting to new pieces of water. One productive method to entice a strike is to swirl the lure around in the water in a figure eight along side the boat at the end of the retrieve. And if we find a new print format for the Skylands Visitor magazine, youre on the mailing list! John was fishing in Pompton Lake, Passaic County when he reeled in the lunker, eclipsing the old record caught 32 years earlier in Spruce Run Reservoir by 6.5 ounces. The hatchery is open year-round for visitation, although the best time to see the actual fish-raising operation is from October through May, when the nursery building is open. 866-347-4836, Jersey Muskies: It Shouldnt Take A Thousand Casts, First States First: Delawares Summer Flounder Fishing, BDV Spotlight: The Winds Of War At A.C. Reef, Patriots Pier: Fishing At Naval Weapons Station Earle, May 2 Kickoff: Hunting Skinny Water Flatties, Northeast Striped Bass Study: Late 21 Tally & Early 22 Returns, Why 9%? As I pulled in the lot, I recognized my good friend Andrew Hunter Yutko with a few other guys loading up their kayaks. 10. In many waters, 30- to 40-inch specimens are common. Ron remembers, To thank us for the work we do, they took some of us from the hatchery out in two groups to Furnace and Mountain Lakes. I went to Mountain and cast a huge lure for 3 hours until my arm was just about worn out. Chubs, suckers, carp, and eels are all part of the muskie's diet. A Next Gen Offshore Classic, Summer Surf: Fly Casting for Cownose Rays, Tuna Terminal: Offshore Rigging Perfection, Pot Hopping Mahi: Offshore Action Hits Close to Home, Jetty Work: The Ins and Outs of Rock Hopping. I used to bass fish there 4-5 times a week, in the late 80 and early 90's and it held some nice bass. Today, many musky . Fall Fingerlings (10") No matter how large the body of water that you are fishing, 90% of the fish will occupy depths of approximately 1 to 3 feet in these coves. And If it wasn`t for fishing, I would never have had the pleasure of calling Andrew and Javier.just that. Brown trout include both freshwater populations and fish that move from fresh to saltwater. 8 oz. Merrill Creek, the countys largest impoundment, which reaches depths of two-hundred feet, already contains an impressive population of finned monsters, including the deep-running gigantic lake trout, big brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass. The Fall Fingerlings were hatched April 1, 2020, growing to 10 inches in 6.5 months. Nice place for Bass anytime and Trout early. I retrieved the jointed lure slowly, working the drop-off, then finishing up with my version of a figure 8 in a kayak. Since shad do not eat during their migration, no one knows why they strike lures floated in their midst. Retrieve these steadily and as slowly as possible while still maintaining the side to side action of the lure. Furnace Lake in Oxford. Sinai, NY 11766 2016 Mazda 5 Accessories| Call (606) 776-6567. . The park is four miles off Exit 24 . | government Up to that point, I had never ever caught a Muskie on the Figure 8 and it was absolutely thrilling! W, Mt. The ANSP estimated the fish to be 18 to 25 years old and decided to keep the skeleton for display in its museum. On the other hand, if you can identify shallow water flats, especially those that are wind protected, you may be able to stay in the zone for hundreds of feet from the shoreline. Matts, about three-and-a-half, perhaps slightly heavier than a smallmouth he had caught on Lake Hopatcong. Reel them in as slowly as possible while still keeping the blades spinning. MORE INFORMATION The experience I had catching my first muskie is a case in point. The majority of muskie fishing takes place during daylight hours, with the afternoon considered the most productive time of day. In terms of pursuing muskies in New Jersey, opportunities abound. Giant muskies, crappies, walleye, trout . Northern Pike, Tiger Musky, Muskellunge* Northern Pike. Bowfin! The forecast called for a rather hot and balmy day this past Thursday, but the weather was suppose to drastically take a nose-dive on Friday night.. and it certainly did. Related Gallery: 37 posts in this topic. Get our newsletter, This Week in the NJ Skylands, with updates, special offers and good ideas! 973-365-5525. Muskies? Muskellunge: 10-12" (14,854) Cooper River Park (173) DOD Lake (228) Echo Lake Reservoir (532) Furnace Lake (100) Greenwood Lake (3,640) Lake Hopatcong (2,685) Lake Musconetcong (658 Tiger Musky only) Little Swartswood Known mostly for muskies, the lake is also a largemouth bass hotspot, and according to Pat Hamilton, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologist, Pequest River watershed, black crappies here are well-established. Hamilton says this means the public is protected against ingesting Tricane, technically named MS222, although Mountain Lake isnt used for broodstock. Monksville Reservoir. Related Sportsmens OrganizationChapter 22 Muskies Inc.Penn-Jersey Chapter Muskies Inc.Knee Deep ClubMuskies, Inc.(national), Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2020(pdf, 85kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2019(pdf, 65kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2018(pdf, 75kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2017(pdf, 90kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2016(pdf, 27kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2015(pdf, 23kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2014(pdf, 24kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2013(pdf, 16kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2012(pdf, 11kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2011(pdf, 11kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2010(pdf, 14kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2009(pdf, 12kb)Muskellunge Stocking Summary, 2008(pdf, 10kb), return toFantastic Fishing in New Jersey, Twitter Mountain Lake Nj Musky Fishing. I was using a Gold Mepps "Musky Killer" that morning when the big E. All Hackettstown Hatchery fish are fed live forage before they are stocked so they acclimate to feeding in the wild. Tiger Muskie/ Muskie? We are using a few pike in mountain lakes in south-central Idaho to reduce brook trout numbers, but we really don't want them to be harvested (some lakes have less than 10 pike stocked). I've fished the lake hard for 39 years, and have caught 2, and my bro-n-law 1. Our 2014 family vacation on Long Pond, Mount Desert Island, Maine, seemed to promise better smallmouth bass than any my son and I had caught, but although we paddled and cast likely locations along the lakes seven-mile length, no bass weighed more than any we had caught in New Jersey during previous summers. 3 bds; 2 ba; 1,478 sqft - House for sale. 1) Fishing In New Jersery:Lake Hopatcong. Repainting Kitchen Cabinets White| The lake does produce a fair number of musky but more northern pike. As soon as we started stocking them, the anglers started catching them. Warren County anglers can now hunt salmon averaging eighteen inches in Tilcon Lake, near the Musconetcong River at Waterloo Village, and perhaps Merrill Creek Reservoir later this year. I never knew that it held muskies. This extensive area of Federally owned land offers access for shore-bound anglers as well. Mountain lake used to be one of the best largemouth bass lakes in Northern NJ. Furnace Lake Google Translate is an online service for which the user pays nothing to obtain a purported language translation. The fish is proudly displayed in the . Using the visible clue of other anglers, you can also then see what structure is in that immediate area on your GPS/sonar unit or map, and start probing the deep water while respecting the space of the other fishermen in the area. Early April water is cold, high, and fast, but even the most severe conditions cannot deny dedicated fishers their place streamside on a Saturday morning in early April , when a fresh and feisty generation of stocked rainbow trout become fair game. If any of these areas contain downed timber, they are particularly attractive to fish. One of NJ's premier muskie fisheries can be found on the Delaware River from the Delaware Water Gap north to the State line at Port Jervis, New York. A 14-pound catfish. The irony! Ice Fishing In New Jersey. Chris Hoffman of Hamilton Township was fishing for largemouth bass in the Delaware River in Trenton on July 4, 2011 when he caught a new state record bowfin. Mountain Lake Buttzville S,M&P 116 N S . (source: NJ DEP), There are two separate records kept for carp in New Jersey: one for fish caught by rod and reel and another in the archery division. Cave Run Muskie Guide Service & The Muskie Lodge 10752 Highway 1274 Wellington, KY 40387 Ph: (606) 776-6567 tonygrantoutdoors@gmail.com It is a cool water lake with an average depth of 15 with holes up to 60 deep. And if you really want to see some big fish, stay tuned for our upcoming gallery of record saltwater fish coming soon to nj.com. Convert Gas To Wood Burning Fireplace| How To Set A Living Room Ideas| Other productive areas are rocky points, ledges, outcroppings, and fallen and standing timber. | business Jasko was fishing with a simple bobber, hook and nightcrawler when he landed the fish from his boat on 14-pound test line. 440 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<3C32272EC4F16F47A4A8BBF55E9588E4><0AE7467E98DD604381C7651FDF03B458>]/Index[396 109]/Info 395 0 R/Length 175/Prev 1296706/Root 397 0 R/Size 505/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream While many lures will do the trick, there are a few go to patterns that are the most consistently effective. -Read Full Disclaimer. Muskellunge, however, was one fish he had no experience with until recently. I began working the outer edge of a weed-bed that had a drop-off with my Believer Lure. The Fisherman 4 - City of Passaic Department of Recreation. Sterile (unable to reproduce) Tiger Muskie have been introduced in mountain lakes to remove Brook Trout. When water temperatures are still in the 40s, muskies will be staging in 10 to 15 feet of water near the spawning grounds. as an active member. Some stretches contain deep holes, gravel bars, weedbeds, islands, and tributary stream. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. Click to enlarge As I pushed off in the water, I took notice of the way the wind was blowing. This photo shows Adam Faatz of Hawthorne, NJ with his state record in the archery category caught at Greenwood Lake on May 19, 2014. hb```">6,af`0pi`g+Y LUWw>SVnIh`@ZktN^qz3S1`r-jPGC:*5"Z`W66,6!,-X*t9H!Pyt