Mercer Lake?

[catfishonthelake]

Anyone know if Mercer Lake has any ice and if doesn't, is the boat launch open in the winter?

[Almaink]

No ice.
http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/commissions/park/boat_marina.html

[jimmythegreek]

a guy I know was fishing last year on mercer and was almost ticketed by a park ranger for his motor. Hes got a ray 48v and mercer lakes rules state 12volt electric trolling motors only, pretty stupid that they enforce the voltage. What do the 24v and 36v guys do?

[saxmatt]

It was cold and calm last night so it might have locked up, I'd wait a bit if you're lookin to take a boat there. It had safe ice for a few days but they have a bunch of "Stay Off Ice" signs. I talked to a ranger there and he said there's no ice fishing there.

[catfishonthelake]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Does anyone know if they keep the launch open in winter....conditions permitting? And I have a 12V front-mount, so hopefully I won't have any issues with the rangers.

[HerringKing]

I believe its open all year. I only fish mercer in the spring for crappies and the fall for tigers. What are you targeting?

[catfishonthelake]

I believe its open all year. I only fish mercer in the spring for crappies and the fall for tigers. What are you targeting?

Muskies

[jimmythegreek]

you did mention u finally got a boat catfish, how u like it? what'd u get?

[catfishonthelake]

you did mention u finally got a boat catfish, how u like it? what'd u get?

Jimmy I got a 14-foot V-hull, Sea Nymph FM146. I love it. I only had it out for a few hours b4 Christmas, but it's perfect. It's in great condition and exactly what I was looking for. I had a nice big casting platform built on it and a fellow MI22 member gave me a great price on front mount MotorGuide. I may not get an outboard this year, but I figure I can pound Mountain, Mercer, the Furnace and Echo and hop on my buddies boat to fish Hopatcong, Greenwood and Monks.

[catfishonthelake]

A pic.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/602689_10200244331417201_300974344_n.jpg

[GetANet]

sweet!!! just need a few musky's to christen it LOL!!!

[AndyS]

OH LORD !! No muskie will be safe now, watch out !!!

Congrats on the ride.

[catfishonthelake]

Thanks guys!! Gonna see if I can't get the christening out of the way this weekend.;)

[lunkertaker]

Feast or Famine on this one. Have experienced both and more of the latter than the former. Catfish, if there are ones to be caught you will prevail.

[catfishonthelake]

Feast or Famine on this one. Have experienced both and more of the latter than the former. Catfish, if there are ones to be caught you will prevail.

Thank you for the vote of confidence!! I figure at the worst it'll be nice to toss some big baits around.

[jimmythegreek]

Im partial to lowe boats, I have a FM165s its a great boat. I would throw a 101lb on the transom and forget the outboard. U can always toss a small hp on it for the bigger lakes. Ive got a 40hp 4 stroke and barely use it, the 80lb terrova Ipilot up front will do 4mph and run all day, electric only lakes are the best fishing anyway in NJ......good luck with it bro, I see the helen&rollies sticker on it already haha

[catfishonthelake]

Im partial to lowe boats, I have a FM165s its a great boat. I would throw a 101lb on the transom and forget the outboard. U can always toss a small hp on it for the bigger lakes. Ive got a 40hp 4 stroke and barely use it, the 80lb terrova Ipilot up front will do 4mph and run all day, electric only lakes are the best fishing anyway in NJ......good luck with it bro, I see the helen&rollies sticker on it already haha

Thanks man. Yeah, I got the Rollie's sticker on there already:D , added a few more too since the pic. I'm sure I'll upgrade the electric and/or put an outboard at some point, but I'm more than happy with the way it is. The boat is very light, so unless it's crazy windy, the motor I have now is good. And you're right about the electric only lakes, out of the top 3 lakes I want to fish this year, all are electric only. Plus, I have two guys in the club that I'm good friends with. They're welcome to hop on with me for the smaller lakes and I'm sure I'll be fishing with them on the bigger ones. I'm so stoked. I have the pleasure of being able to leave work at lunch sometimes and not come back, so it'll be nice to be able to grab my boat and go look for some muskies in the afternoon.