Raritan river 4/24/19:

[AndyS]

When is the water ever going to clear up ? Will this year be a repeat of last years rains ? So any way got to the Headgates dam around 7am and had a bald eagle fly over heading up river, probably to the cleaner water on the South Branch. Rolled a fish in the big run below the dam and lost a decent LMB near the dam. Turned off by the heavily stained water and all the schmutz in the water from the high winds so I went for a drive. Ended up fishing the river in Highland Park after checking a spot in Piscataway. It was low tide and I only had my small stuff, I need to pack extra gear this time of year I guess.
Lots of fresh spray paint and marking up by the dam. Rumor has it 2 years and the dam is coming out. Gonna be an interesting summer with the big draw down on Round Valley. Then in 2 years they fill up RV again again, would be a perfect time for dam removal.
Trying to get up to Lehigh for a float trip but that river seems to be running at a never ending 8000 CFS !!
Lots of shad being caught in the Delaware river from what I understand.
Looks like another inch of rain Friday night ??? No word from Rutgers yet about the camera going live from the fish ladder.
I can't believe it's almost May.

[Ken Lyons]

In order to comply with the ADA they are constructing a sidewalk along Cokesbury Rd in Lebanon. It crosses a part of Rockaway Creek. I think that is at least a partial cause of the dirt in the water.

[AndyS]

Yeah, the North Branch has been more stained than the South Branch for what ever reason this year. Loads of what like killies near Highland Park in the shallows.

[Sako1]

Andy,

Where's that ramp in the last pic?

FYI, fished Duke's last night, only 1 small bow and MB for a lot of casts with different variety of spinners.

Dave.

[AndyS]

That's the boat ramp at Donaldson Park. I have seen people launch kayaks at Johnson Park and Boyd Park has a boat ramp also.

[thmyorke1]

In order to comply with the ADA they are constructing a sidewalk along Cokesbury Rd in Lebanon. It crosses a part of Rockaway Creek. I think that is at least a partial cause of the dirt in the water.

Rockaway creek? Accessibility? Hmmm those two I dont hear much about :D ... im stating it's really hard to get a spot to fish that creek. If you do find them tho they're really good small-stream fishing. One of my nicer browns I caught this winter was from one of the branches there.