Closed waters

[dakota560]

Posting this just because I think it might be helpful. Stopped by Lake Musconetcong during the week on my way to Lake Hopatcong. Musconetcong is closed to fishing until the opener. In the parking lot next to the dam near Bait and Boat, there were two guys with 4 rods fishing from shore. On the opposite side of the lake there were five people fishing from shore. Even worse, in the boat launch parking lot, there were five trailers already launched, one fishing the dam, one I could see fishing the island and three fishing some where else on the lake out of sight from where I was. Also saw two kayaks getting ready to launch.

In total, there must have been 20 people fishing closed waters. I mentioned to each of them the waters are closed and you can imagine the looks and responses that solicited. So I called 1-800-WARN DEP, spoke to a gentlemen who in turn communicated it to a CO who called me maybe 20 minutes later. Said he would swing by but the boats in the lake would be an issue since their boat wasn't accessible right then. The first guy I spoke to did however ask for the plates of the cars with the empty trailers in the parking lot so maybe they followed up through other means.

Couple points, I found only one tree posted with last years regulations, that's not helping. Maybe if F&G reads this post there's a better way to get the public involved posting these waters. But that aside, there's no way in my opinion five guys fishing bass boats and two guys fishing kayaks don't know the regulations and deserve to be fined. The one boat fishing near the dam when I told them the waters were closed did haul out. I walked one of the two guys fishing the parking lot area over to Bait and Boat to confirm with the owner it was indeed closed which she confirmed and offered up that she tells everyone who comes in it is but they fish it anyway. Those two guys packed up and left as well.

Anyone fishing it when it's closed and taking trout away from kids or anyone else fishing legally and waiting until 4/6 deserve to be fined. Places have to be posted as much of a challenge as that might be but that's my point for getting the public involved. Maybe send flyers to local bait shops or volunteers to help in that cause. If posted and someone fishes anyway, fine them $500 and guarantee they'll think twice before doing it again. I found it particularly brazen to see the five bass boats launched and two kayaks, there's no excuse there, they have to know or at least should know the regulations.

I'm not one to call DEP on people, but when they're told the waters are closed and they essentially flip you the bird DEP is going to get a call. I'm also not necessarily a fan of the pre-stocking closure but understand the need. Either way it is the law and should be equally applied and followed by everyone.

[ultimatepredator]

I agree with you. Give them a big fine and make it hurt. We the sportsman are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations whether it is posted on a tree or not. These days it is easy to do a quick Google search to find out everything and anything you need to know

[AndyS]

RAHWAY RIVER: a man wrote " they would be overwhelmed I have talked to two dozen poachers with “what the hell” most feign ignorance and leave some say I don’t care what the regs say mind your business- found one stretch with 7 dead gut hooked trout sitting on the river bottom with smeared power bait and cigarette butts on the bank - some places they should not stock until right before the opener - our send out F&G and make a lot of fine money for the state"

[dakota560]

RAHWAY RIVER: a man wrote " they would be overwhelmed I have talked to two dozen poachers with “what the hell” most feign ignorance and leave some say I don’t care what the regs say mind your business- found one stretch with 7 dead gut hooked trout sitting on the river bottom with smeared power bait and cigarette butts on the bank - some places they should not stock until right before the opener - our send out F&G and make a lot of fine money for the state"

Andy I couldn't agree more. Lot of other fish get harvested as well which others don't have a shot at. Cut up the state into regions, bring on some additional personnel for those weeks, and make the fine $500 per offense. It would pay for itself, change behavior and add additional funding to fisheries enforcement. Still think NJF&G can utilize their relationship with the public to get volunteers involved posting notices in advance of the closure. I'd do it in a heart beat. Saying that, maybe they were posted and someone took them down but the fact last years was still there makes me think they were never posted which doesn't help even if it is our responsibility to know the regulations. Just another insurance policy that make sure people comply. Still couldn't believe bass boats had the cajones to launch at such a popular spot in an area completely out in the open.

[NJSquatch]

Good job Dakota.

[thmyorke1]

Im certain no matter what is done, there will be fishing within the closures. I just hope f&w take full advantage of this fact and get loadsamoney for tickets. That way more money goes into raising trout (for the fall season :D )

[AndyS]

Found this : I've called several times because there's guys every year that stretches a net at the Big Falls in Winfield straight across the bottom of the waterfall. They keep everything and throw it in a garbage can. Turtles bass trout whatever they take it all.. call Winfield cops windshield cops say it's a county problem call the county the county says it's Cranford's problem call Cranford and they say call Fish and Game. Left several messages on the fishing game answering machine never got a call back

[Hookmanski]

So I know spruce run creek is closed for stocking, but what about the reservoir itself? Was thinking of wetting a line there for a bit later today.

[thmyorke1]

So I know spruce run creek is closed for stocking, but what about the reservoir itself? Was thinking of wetting a line there for a bit later today.

Dont count on me but it should be opened, the reservoir isnt stocked just the creek. I bet the boundary is the bridge.

[BT67]

Aren't certain lakes still open for fishing, just not for keeping trout? Figured a lake like Muskenetcong would fall under those regs no?

[NJSquatch]

Aren't certain lakes still open for fishing, just not for keeping trout? Figured a lake like Muskenetcong would fall under those regs no?

Like everything with the regs it is really confusing.

https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2019/trtregs19.pdf

During the three weeks prior to opening day, all
ponds, lakes or sections of streams are stocked
with trout, except Trophy Trout Lakes. These
waters are closed to fishing for all species from
March 18 to April 6 at 8 a.m. Exceptions: Lake
Hopatcong, Mountain Lake, Lake Shenandoah,
Lawrence Brook (section from Davidson's Mill Rd.
to Farrington Lake dam), Prospertown Lake and
Swartswood Lake are open year round to fishing.
However, all trout caught during this period (above)
must be released immediately. Seasonal and Yearround Trout Conservation Areas and designated
Holdover Trout Lakes (see pages 21–23) are
also open to fishing but are catch-and-release only
for trout. Fishing is not permitted on seasonal trout
conservation areas from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on
April 6, 2019. Round Valley and Merrill Creek
Reservoirs (Trophy Trout Lakes) are open to yearround fishing; trout may be harvested within the
regulations as shown on page 23.

Trout Stocked Waters
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2019/trout_allocation19-nodates.pdf

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/accesscnty.htm

these rules don't apply if you belong to a Private Trout Club and are fishing club water....because you know these people are entitled to do whatever the h*ll they want

[AndyS]

Why they put trout in Lake Musconetcong is beyond me.

[dakota560]

Aren't certain lakes still open for fishing, just not for keeping trout? Figured a lake like Muskenetcong would fall under those regs no?

Lake Musconetcong is closed. It's posted (albeit with a post from last year and not very well) but confirmed it with a CO as well as owner of Bait and Boat.

[AndrewT]

That was me and my dad in the bass boat fishing by the dam. Appreciate the heads up. After you called out to us, I walked around the ramp looking for signs and there was not one posted. We couldn’t find anything on the internet saying it was closed. I called the local bait shop to confirm it was in fact closed. To me, if you’re stocking AND closing a lake, it should be well marked at the ramp at the very least

[NJSquatch]

That was me and my dad in the bass boat fishing by the dam. Appreciate the heads up. After you called out to us, I walked around the ramp looking for signs and there was not one posted. We couldn’t find anything on the internet saying it was closed. I called the local bait shop to confirm it was in fact closed. To me, if you’re stocking AND closing a lake, it should be well marked at the ramp at the very least

100% agree...kinda ridiculous especially since there is an information board there...

[AndyS]

The part that makes it really strange is Lake Musconetcong is open for recreational purposes correct ? So if I want to launch my kayak or canoe and float around and take photos I can.

[Chrisper4694]

Dont count on me but it should be opened, the reservoir isnt stocked just the creek. I bet the boundary is the bridge.

correct

[Chrisper4694]

That was me and my dad in the bass boat fishing by the dam. Appreciate the heads up. After you called out to us, I walked around the ramp looking for signs and there was not one posted. We couldn’t find anything on the internet saying it was closed. I called the local bait shop to confirm it was in fact closed. To me, if you’re stocking AND closing a lake, it should be well marked at the ramp at the very least

look, the rules are confusing...this particular rule makes very little sense and you're right it should be more obvious. some poachers probably ripped down the new signs so they could play dumb and try to avoid a ticket.

I got checked 4 times this year ice fishing at places that aren't very popular at all...but this very obvious place right now not getting patrolled??? really?

this happens literally EVERY SINGLE YEAR at musconetcong...EVERY YEAR.

why is it stocked, idk. why do they close it completely, idk. unfortunately, guys like you and others that want to actually follow the rules end up being the ones that get a ticket and the foreign guys with no license get away with a bucket full haha

[dakota560]

That was me and my dad in the bass boat fishing by the dam. Appreciate the heads up. After you called out to us, I walked around the ramp looking for signs and there was not one posted. We couldn’t find anything on the internet saying it was closed. I called the local bait shop to confirm it was in fact closed. To me, if you’re stocking AND closing a lake, it should be well marked at the ramp at the very least

Andrew completely agree. There's one notice posted on the side opposite the boat ramp from last year and didn't see anything on the ramp side either. That's why trying to get the public involved posting bodies of water might be a good idea. Chris might be right, they're posted and being ripped down. I understand it's up to anglers to know the regulations but lot of times that's not the case and as others have mentioned the regulations aren't necessarily the easiest to understand even if you review them.

When I've driven by in past, if I stop I try saying something but that's a tight rope to walk. Some are appreciative as you and your father were, others take offense when I'm just trying to prevent them being ticketed which I've seen happen. It's a double edge sword. Was just surprised with the number of boats launched and people fishing the shoreline that day.

Andy to your question, I think they stock it to protect the crappie spawn! Don't think that lake is deeper than 5 feet so if you're a trout not the place you want to be stocked. Either way, glad you had no issues.

[AndyS]

If you live in the Berkeley Heights area or Fanwood area and are traveling up past Seeleys pond, keep your eyes out four guys with cast nets poaching trout. There have been several sightings of people cast netting fish in the green brook from the pond down to Rt 22.

[AndyS]

On February 27, 2019, CPOs Hausamann and Driscoll responded to an illegal fishing complaint at Lake Hopatcong, Hopatcong Borough, Sussex County. The CPOs setup surveillance and observed the ice fishermen in the area. Upon inspecting a fisherman leaving the lake, they found him to be in possession of 132 panfish. The fisherman was issued a summons for possession of 107 panfish over the daily limit. The CPOs returned a short time later and observed the same fisherman fishing and keeping additional panfish.

[dakota560]

On February 27, 2019, CPOs Hausamann and Driscoll responded to an illegal fishing complaint at Lake Hopatcong, Hopatcong Borough, Sussex County. The CPOs setup surveillance and observed the ice fishermen in the area. Upon inspecting a fisherman leaving the lake, they found him to be in possession of 132 panfish. The fisherman was issued a summons for possession of 107 panfish over the daily limit. The CPOs returned a short time later and observed the same fisherman fishing and keeping additional panfish.

Take the fish, confiscate his equipment, suspend his driving privileges for one year, suspend his fishing privileges for 5 years and fine him $25 per fish and he'll probably stop putting himself before the law, the public and the resource. If he has a second violation, give him a one year prison term in addition. Can't allow a few slobs to ruin fisheries for everyone else. No punishment is too stiff as far as I'm concerned when the violation is blatant. That report is no matter how you view it complete disregard for regulation, all anglers and the resource. 132 pan fish probably during the spawn so consider the impact of lost eggs.