Early spring/ mercer County lake

[gtijoe]

I'm new to the area and I'm really curious if anyone does well at mercer Co lake after the ice melts? Interested in the possible crappie and perch bites from shore. I can't wait for this cold to pass.

[Joeblowv1]

Mercer is considered "highly pressured," and a dead sea by some.

I went a few times late summer/early fall last year with my Kayak and got one singular bite across around 3-4 trips. I wouldn't say I'm a "great" fisherman though, I tend to have pretty bad luck lol.

I remember catching a few smallmouth/bluegill and a perch there when I was around 17 (around 10 years ago) from the shore when I was bored on summer break

Curious to see if anyone else has any input though.

[Bizzles13]

Better off scrolling around on google maps or download fishbrain for other places to fish. Lots of less pressured places to fish in this area. Don't overlook the big D and all it's tributaries/creeks.

If you do end up trying out MCL come in from the north side (S. Post Rd) to avoid some of the crowd.

Good Luck, Tight Lines.

[Godrew1972]

there are definitely some nice big fish in there, but i find it to be very hit or miss.
We had a few great days there with numbers and quality, but many more days just getting 1 or 2.
its worth a try at least, if its not good it still beats going to work

[FASTEDDIE29]

Carnegie lake, Millstone river and the D&R canal are close by and should’ve a better option. Can’t go wrong with nite crawlers or shiners under bobbers in the early spring. Let us know how you do!

[Joeblowv1]

Carnegie lake is definitely on my list to check out. I drove by not that long ago and it was bigger than I had thought. I tend to shy away from Princeton though as the people can be a bit....snobbish?

I got my yak late last year (Pandemic made kayaks unobtanium and of course I decided I wanted one at just the wrong time) like after labor day late. As such I only got about 6-8 trips out or so.

Went to lake mercer - 2-3 times, Prospertown once, Assunpink once, Manasquan reservoir once. Needless to say I came up empty handed as I'm getting my feet wet with Kayak fishing so to speak.

If I had to pick a favorite, Prospertown is pretty nice, not too far from me (about 25 mins) and has some good variety of depths/lots of little coves/not too crowded. My uncle has said he pulls some decent size pickerel out of there from time to time.

Lake Mercer gets pretty busy, lots of people meandering in front of my truck while I'm trying to back up to drop my boat, people in their own worlds/in the way while you're trying to get in/out of the water, etc. etc. If I go back I'll definitely check out the "north" / post road side.

[Jigman13]

Manasquan Res offers some of the best variety south of Middlesex County--large and smallmouth bass, crappie, hybrid striped bass, tiger muskies and so on. It's been a very long time since I've fished there. The park hours were always a deterrent for my father and I years ago. We wanted to be on the water before sun-up. That place did not cater to such desire or motivated fisherman lol.

[Joeblowv1]

There is a ~ 7$ boat fee per kayak every time you go to Manasquan. Didn't seem very well enforced, but I don't like getting in trouble either.

Its 50$ for a season pass to launch.

Just as an FYI if that impacts your decision

[fishermanv]

Better off scrolling around on google maps or download fishbrain for other places to fish. Lots of less pressured places to fish in this area. Don't overlook the big D and all it's tributaries/creeks.

If you do end up trying out MCL come in from the north side (S. Post Rd) to avoid some of the crowd.

Good Luck, Tight Lines.

Fishbrain.. anyone find this app useful - the locations seem so ridiculously off, is it just me?

[thmyorke1]

Fishbrain.. anyone find this app useful - the locations seem so ridiculously off, is it just me?

it's just a rumor since i dont use it or other fishing apps, but it's likely guys are posting quality fish in different spots than they're actually catching to keep their hot spots/waters from being popular.

[reason162]

Fishbrain.. anyone find this app useful - the locations seem so ridiculously off, is it just me?

The internet has ruined fishing lol

[Ol Pedro]

I'm new to the area and I'm really curious if anyone does well at mercer Co lake after the ice melts? Interested in the possible crappie and perch bites from shore. I can't wait for this cold to pass.

Used to catch Crappie casting to the docks at Mercer early. Prospertown is still recovering from the drawdown. Around now the crappie should start to chew around now around Roller coaster point. There's a dirt access road between the main lot and six flags that will take you to another ramp/parking lot directly across from the roller coaster. Shiners and crappie jigs off the point. If you use your kayak drift between the points until you locate them. There are tons of trees in the channels. Caught bass on plastics from late March on.

[Joeblowv1]

Used to catch Crappie casting to the docks at Mercer early. Prospertown is still recovering from the drawdown. Around now the crappie should start to chew around now around Roller coaster point. There's a dirt access road between the main lot and six flags that will take you to another ramp/parking lot directly across from the roller coaster. Shiners and crappie jigs off the point. If you use your kayak drift between the points until you locate them. There are tons of trees in the channels. Caught bass on plastics from late March on.

Not OP but have been following as I live in Trenton and am always looking for guidance. Appreciate the tips, went to Prospertown in my Kayak late last season (September-ish) and enjoyed it, but due to the timing the water was a bit overgrown with weeds. Lake was a good balance of size and not too-too crowded.

Will Keep that spot in mind for some shore fishing if I want to wet a line before getting the boats out (water temps obviously still low for me - a rookie kayaker) sounds like there will be bites one way or another starting very soon!

[Jigman13]

The internet has ruined fishing lol

Hahahaha...

[IrishAngler]

I fish Prospertown quite a bit. Same with the three lakes in Assunpink WMA. Rapala's Original Floating Minnows work great - esp late Mar and into April when the spawn begins. Work them slow....twitch once or twice and then let them sit for few seconds, then repeat. Bass and pickerel love them..and a few crappie will rise up for the offering too. throw a suspending minnow for the crappie, too.

good luck!

[gtijoe]

Are there area to fish at assunpink? Which lake has the best shore fishing access?