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. Then when I got older we did some musky fishing there. This 48-inch muskie, caught by Cory Ramsey, created quite a bit of excitement at Smith Mountain Lake. The park is four miles off Exit 24 . Similarly, in trolling, so called speed trolling can be productive. Mountain Lake gets its name from Jenny Jump Mountain overlooking its glacial 122 acres. Cast large in-line spinners over residual weeds, or during a calm evening after a warm day, tease bass by subtly twitching a Senko rigged Wacky. 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. Mountain Lake Buttzville S,M&P 116 N S . in 1990 when he caught this 29-pound tiger muskie. (source: NJ DEP), The New Jersey state record channel catfish caught by Howard Hudson in 1978 in Lake Hopatcong. The river flows 42 miles south and west, from Lake Hopatcong to the Delaware River. Northern Pike: 24 inches. Usually I generally shy away from wetting a line for a few days right after a cold-front moves in, but this time of year, I take advantage of any window of opportunity when I can to fish. If you are fishing a body of water where depth drops off sharply, then the target zone might only be 20 or 30 feet from the shoreline. 330 Passaic Street. DOD Lake He caught it on a homemade bucktail jig. Packages Include: Guided Day Fishing, Boat. Muskie Fishing Adventure on the Mountain. Focus on Fishing: Muskellunge 2 combined. Cave Run Lake Kentucky's Hot Spot For Muskie . The state record smallmouth bass, caught by Carol Marciniak at the Round Valley Reservoir. If you ready to plan your Tennessee Musky adventure give us a call. Echo Lake Reservoir contains a strain of muskellunge known as the Leech Lake strain. Outsize plugs and spinners prove effective, and Hamilton pointed out that some use trout for bait when ice fishing. Echo Lake Reservoir So remember: "Let 'em go and let 'em grow!". The muskies are smaller and more numerous in Mountain Lake. She added, Weve been overstocking the lake. Once temperatures push into the 50s, focus your efforts on the 5- to 10-foot flats. Nice place for Bass anytime and Trout early. The leaves are turning color, the nights are getting cooler and the Muskies are fired up! I believe that a wire leader is a must and shouldnt impede the action of your lures; these fish are typically not leader shy either. 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. Trophy Musky Waters: Mountain & Echo Lake reservoirs Tiger Musky & Muskellunge: Muskellunge 40 inches CHAIN PICKEREL AND REDFIN PICKEREL Same thing with walleye. Also, an often overlooked tiger muskie fishery is found in the Mohawk River/Barge Canal from Rome downstream to Lock 16. Collins River Musky. That 40-plus inch fish was caught in a wind sheltered cove, during a warm rain, in one foot of water, after sunset, casting parallel to the shoreline from a finger dock. This lake a a public boat ramp, picnic area, disabled access, shore fishing access, restrooms, and allows power boats. JavaScript is disabled. Credit: Daily Record. Click to enlarge View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. We either rented or I brought my Jon boat. 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 . Sign in to follow this . hb```">6,af`0pi`g+Y LUWw>SVnIh`@ZktN^qz3S1`r-jPGC:*5"Z`W66,6!,-X*t9H!Pyt Lake Hopatcong. And, believe it or not, eels make their way up the Delaware from the Atlantic Ocean, many times well up into the Paulins Kill and Musconetcong. Spit Fire Triple Barrel Buckshot Alabama Rig. Restored c.1754 stone ironmaster's home associated with c.1741 Oxford Furnace.is open first and second Sundays, 1-4pm, for tours through Colonial and Victorian rooms with costumed docents. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Neals caught this monster musky through the ice at Monksville Reservoir in January, 1997. . In the Southwest part of Idaho the best place to find Tiger muskies is Dog Creek Reservoir near Gooding or Carey Lake. on his own scale in May 2012. Tuna Time Off the Delaware Coast, Finding Fluke: The Other Reef Structure, WMIT Turns 50! Bob Eisele's state record lunker was taken from Menantico Sand Wash Pond in Cumberland County in 1980. Ron Jacobson has worked at the Hackettstown Hatchery for fifteen years. Beyond that age growth slows with many variables coming into play, including available forage base and sex (males are always smaller than females). Timonty Jako of Monroe Township holds his state record white catfish caught on August 14, 2004 in Dallenbach Pond, East Brunswick. Lake trout were introduced into the state in 1977 when the state stocked them in the reservoir. (source: NJ DEP). 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. It would be shameful not to mention the 55-inch, 47-pound muskie that was found by fishermen in 1996. Can you use gas engine? 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. Simply because it`s the middle of October and there are only a matter of several weeks before it`s time to pack the `Yak away for the year. Tiger Muskie/ Muskie? Cave Run Muskie Guide Service & The Muskie Lodge 10752 Highway 1274 Wellington, KY 40387 Ph: (606) 776-6567 tonygrantoutdoors@gmail.com The fish weighed an astounding 55 lbs. However, a warm rain will raise water temperature nicely and often increase fish activity. (photo courtesy of the Jopko family). $425,000. Started by limit-out, March 30, 2006. Fly lengths should vary between 3 and 6 inches. 15 inches. 24 | 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest Buy your license or permit online at January 2012 NJFishandWildlife.com. lolmost lakes were like that. Known as the fish of 10,000 casts, muskellunge in New Jersey do not stick by that standard and are routinely caught with less effort. 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. Yet this all can change during the magic time beginning at sunset and continuing until last light. As I retrieved my lure and started my 8 literally a foot from the `Yak, this magnificent Esox followed my lure! 10. 8 oz., surpassing the previous record set in 2008 by Homer Tye by one pound, one ounce. We have had a few Musky close to the 50-pound mark caught and released but Musky that big are rare anywhere. Located in Liberty Township, Warren County, its maximum depth is 38 feet, mean depth 17 feet. %%EOF Candice Olson Bathroom| New Jersey, United States 35 Logged catches. This section of the river is composed of long slow pools interconnected by shallow riffles and rapids. (source: NJ DEP). 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. . WhenMuskellunge can be caught throughout the year, even through the ice in fact, thecurrent state recordwas caught just that way. As a rule, the most productive time is between sunset and dark, although on overcast days, fish might become more active even earlier. Whereas Andrew has pedals in his kayaks so he can maneuver more readily in windy conditions. A slight uptick in water temperature may also help to turn muskellunge on to striking. Good luck fishing and see you soon at New River Trail State Park. October 29, 2020 They will provide cover for sunfish and should bolster that population. The muskie struck so close the `Yak that I never even had to turn the handle on the reel! Repainting Kitchen Cabinets White| A deceiver streamer pattern works well while a weighted Clouser minnow can provide additional depth penetration. Fishing Mountain Lake, NJ on 2/28/2023 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from 12:00AM to 12:00AM. Glider rides, glider instruction, gift certificates. We will continue to post stories, profiles and scheduled events and hope you'll subscribe (for free!) The deepest point of Tilcon Lake is 50 feet deep. In many waters, 30- to 40-inch specimens are common. You'll receive our weekly e-news "This Week in the New Jersey Skylands" which will keep you up to date on special events, new profiles, stories, and things to do. Tiger Muskie, as you would guess from their name, are agressive predatory fish. I've fished the lake hard for 39 years, and have caught 2, and my bro-n-law 1. 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. MORE INFORMATION 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. Bowfin! All the laws (when applicable) as set forth in the most recent summary of the New Jersey Fishing Laws must be observed at all times. If any of these areas contain downed timber, they are particularly attractive to fish. There are special events throughout the year as well as programs for schools. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the muskelunge that Capt. Statewide (exceptions below) Tiger Musky & Muskellunge: 40 inches. My strategy is usually to paddle up-wind and drift back along spots that I want to target. | business Six-hundred-thousand of them, to be more precise, each born and bred at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center which lies on a 5,000-acre state Wildlife Management Area between Route 46 and Pequest Road in Oxford. The majority of muskie fishing takes place during daylight hours, with the afternoon considered the most productive time of day. Merrill Creek, the county's largest impoundment, which reaches depths of two-hundred feet, already contains an impressive population . Mountain Lake is a reservoir located just 3.5 miles from Oxford, in Warren County, in the state of New Jersey, United States, near Pequest, NJ. We returned home to Bedminster. 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. Striped Bass Catch & Release Mortality, Mako Madness: A Deep Dive Into The 22 Mako Moratorium, Fish For The Future: NJ Catch, Strip & Release, Thinking Of Tautog: One Chapter Ends, Another Begins. Weed beds are consistent areas throughout the summer. Tijuana Garage Menu| Red Carpet Motel| I bowfished it before and always saw giant muskys..[up]. Muskellunge Information (Includes Stocking Summaries) Mountain Lake The Fisherman. So my pattern was a combination between a figure 8 and a sort of U-sweep which I did on almost every retrieve. before it was a muskie lake i trout fished their it was a great trout lake and they killed it would go in july august and get decent browns on live bait. In many waters, 30- to 40-inch specimens are common. A forum community dedicated to New Jerseys hunters and enthusiasts. Jun 9, 2010. Matts, about three-and-a-half, perhaps slightly heavier than a smallmouth he had caught on Lake Hopatcong. Shallow weedy areas of lakes warm up first in the spring and are a good bet for early season. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. Spring muskie will seek out shallow water coves that are protected from the wind. Chapter 22 Muskies Inc. Offset shank, extra wide gap, or hybrid style hooks will work equally well. (source NJ DEP), Andrew Du-Jack holds his state record brook trout caught on May 1, 1995, in the Rockaway River. Caught a handful over the years but that's all. As I drove around the lake, I noticed a familiar white SUV in the area I normally parked. This elusive fish is seldom abundant, and in lakes one adult fish per acre is considered a good fishery. 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. Hamilton says this means the public is protected against ingesting Tricane, technically named MS222, although Mountain Lake isnt used for broodstock. Good fishing locations are straightforward and fairly easy to locate. Quiet yet lake convenient; Muskie Fishing Packages. Sunny days help to increase water temperatures but fish dont typically like to strike until sunset or after. (source: NJ DEP), There are two categories of records for striped bass, one each for salt and fresh water. Thanks to the efforts of Muskies Inc. NJ, a non-profit conservation organization and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game, quality muskie fishing can be found in many Garden State waters. Weve even supplied six neighboring states with fish, including New York which has thirteen hatcheries of their own, explains hatchery superintendent Craig Lemon. The Buckhannon Pool catch-and-release area has a dense muskie population. Both largemouth and smallmouth live here, but largemouth get the most attention and seven-pound fish will show up each year in bass tournament bags. While Tennessee has a few more musky waters up it's sleeve it's hard to pass up any of the waters listed above. The fish surpassed the previous record taken from the Delaware River in 2001 by 14 pounds, 8 ounces. 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. mountain lake nj musky fishingwilliamson county sports complex. 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%? Chasing trophy muskie in the spring is totally within reach, especially given most of us already own much of the equipment that is needed. Matt Janiszewski caught this monster carp he registered at 53 lbs. There is a strong catch-and-release ethic among the muskie fishing fraternity. Of course, neighboring states like New York and Pennsylvania also host excellent muskie fisheries. Lake Trout, Walleye, Bass, and Rainbow Trout are also on the cards. Greenwood Lake 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. These fish are beastly strong so take your time and enjoy the fight. 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. March 20-May 20 are Catch & Release only for Echo Lake Reservoir, Mercer Lake, Mountain Lake, Monksville Reservoir. Expect muskies in the 30- to 35-inch range, though some fish over 40 inches do show up. If you want to target musky it is still a great place to fish. 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. Keep informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey and get a year-round supply of great things to see and do! Chandelier In Master Bedroom| You'll be able to reel in Bass, Perch, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout, as well as Lake Trout. Low Country House Plans With Wrap Around Porch| Mountain lake used to be one of the best largemouth bass lakes in Northern NJ. Low Country House Plans With Wrap Around Porch, National Furniture Liquidators El Paso Texas. 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. 1) Fishing In New Jersery:Lake Hopatcong. Muskie and their hybrid tiger muskie cousins have been called the fish of 10,000 casts due to the patience and determination required to catch them. Without a doubt, the elusive muskellunge is the king of freshwater predators and the ultimate trophy. Good Friends. I never knew that it held muskies. Speaking of tigers..Fisherman Bob Neals appears to have stopped for a little ice fishing on his way home from Princeton Tiger mascott tryouts. Its only over for a month; so cheer up, gear up and prepare for April togging! We quit stocking lake trout because natural reproduction had taken over so we had some room and started bring the salmon back here to raise bigger to fourteen inches, says Lemon. Freshwater Fishing . Classic red and white is very productive although many other color variations will work as well, again with an eye on matching the hatch. You May be surprised at the awesome lake musky Fisheries Virginia holds, many of which are diamonds in the rough ! New Jersey's stocking sizes and rates are recommended by Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries regional biologists to create and maintain fisheries. The ANSP estimated the fish to be 18 to 25 years old and decided to keep the skeleton for display in its museum. Over the years DWR staff shifted to collecting . anyone ever fish it i know they have tournaments there and its listed as a trophy musky lake. This story was first published: Spring, 1999, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Winter Tactics For The Delaware River Angler. | dep Hunting Tales with Ken Grab your gun this will be fun! Shad have also recently been spied in the Musconetcong, where dam removal has cleared their path through the ripe riffles of spring. Occasional trophies >30 lbs. Hope you enjoy the video - of course, catch . The importance of timing cant be overstated Think shad fishing, catfishing, or even targeting dawn and dusk stripers all are extremely dependent upon light levels and hitting the correct time windows. Dont be afraid to maneuver your lure in a figure eight pattern a couple of times at the very end of the retrieve, keeping your rod tip in the water. On May 2, 2009, William "Bumbo" Lewis of Jackson, NJ, landed this state record white crappie. New Jersey's other muskellunge lakes contain several strains, including Leech Lake, Chataqua (N.Y.) and Pymatuning (Pa.). Other productive areas are rocky points, ledges, outcroppings, and fallen and standing timber. While we fished for several hours thereafter, no more Muskies made it in the `Yaks. 150 Hamilton said, Scott Collenburg, another biologist, sampled all the lakes we stock muskies in. Overall activity increases and with it the chance of getting a strike increase. In New Jersey? Two of the three I knew from Instagram as I follow their excursions.