Passaic 6/12

[basspilot]

Hit the river today in search of life in the rip roaring chocolate milk we call the Passaic River. Worked the banks in an area I never fished before and found some great water which ill definitely have to hit up from the yak when the water lowers a bit. Anyway managed to fight off the mighty skunk with a dink smallmouth on a white swim bait. Funny thing though while driving along the river I saw a larger boat at the elmwood park boat launch which I swore looked like a F&G yellow truck and boat, but could be wrong. Anyone know I'm just curious?

[Mjh609]

I can't wait to hit the Passaic this year. I think I'll wait until the water levels return to normal and I start to hear some better reports( it's a hike for me). Quick question for the hardcore Passaic guys, do you find there are more pike east or west of twin bridges? The few times I've been there its all been twin bridges and west.

[tjc76]

nice work basspilot. I was gonna hit the river today, but didn't have the bawlz. I just looked at the little falls gauge, it looks like it has crested, but forecast calls for another 3 foot rise in gauge height:eek: looks like i won't hit the river for at least a week:(

[Skunk City]

I can't wait to hit the Passaic this year. I think I'll wait until the water levels return to normal and I start to hear some better reports( it's a hike for me). Quick question for the hardcore Passaic guys, do you find there are more pike east or west of twin bridges? The few times I've been there its all been twin bridges and west.

Upstream and downstream, they are everywhere. Have had banner days as far upstream as Bloomfield Ave and as downstream as Newark. The characteristics of the river change from area to area from skinny secluded river to wide and urban. Two Bridges is a good area to start though. Explore a bit and you'll find fish there.

[Skunk City]

Hit the river today in search of life in the rip roaring chocolate milk we call the Passaic River. Worked the banks in an area I never fished before and found some great water which ill definitely have to hit up from the yak when the water lowers a bit. Anyway managed to fight off the mighty skunk with a dink smallmouth on a white swim bait. Funny thing though while driving along the river I saw a larger boat at the elmwood park boat launch which I swore looked like a F&G yellow truck and boat, but could be wrong. Anyone know I'm just curious?

Could be the survey boat, it was there for a bit in the early spring.

[Shameless14]

While were on it, how is the pike/smallmouth fishing in the Great Piece Meadows section of the river? Would it possible/safe to take a 15ft/25hp boat out on it? What about a kayak? Thanks.

[Mjh609]

Upstream and downstream, they are everywhere. Have had banner days as far upstream as Bloomfield Ave and as downstream as Newark. The characteristics of the river change from area to area from skinny secluded river to wide and urban. Two Bridges is a good area to start though. Explore a bit and you'll find fish there.


Yeah I've been up twice so far. Caught them around two bridges and upstream around Bloomfield ave from shore. Threw the boat in last time and only picked out one earlier this year around eagle rock boat ramp. I think next time I'll launch in Elwood park and explore that section.

[Mjh609]

While were on it, how is the pike/smallmouth fishing in the Great Piece Meadows section of the river? Would it possible/safe to take a 15ft/25hp boat out on it? What about a kayak? Thanks.

You have to find a boat launch to get there. That's the problem. I was out on a 16' tracker and launched at eagle rock ave. problem is, you can't get up river that far in a boat that size. We went over and under some large obstacles dragging the bottom of the boat at some spots. We take our boat through some things that would turn most people away but even we couldn't get through. We didn't even make it to Bloomfield ave. If you launch there bring a chainsaw because there are some large trees laying across the river, and watch your trolling motor because some are right under the surface.

There is a boat ramp on camp lane but m not sure if the land is owned by the house that's about 100 yards away. Not to mention its in the woods and if you leave your truck unattended it may or may not be a problem.

[basspilot]

There's pike and smallies throughtout the river I believe there was a link somewhere on the forums where they stock the pike. Like skunk said though you can pick them up in almost every stretch of the river. As far as bout launches its tough but with the water up maybe you'll be able to get into parts of the river right now you usually couldn't during "normal" river summer conditions.

[Fish n Jeep]

We take our boat through some things that would turn most people away but even we couldn't get through.

You sound like me, exploring the skinniest water I can find.

[Mjh609]

You sound like me, exploring the skinniest water I can find.


I swear while everyone is fishing the main part of the lake we are scraping bottom somewhere pulling bass out of a foot of scum. Everywhere we go we take a little mud home on the bottom of the boat haha.

[ithaca10]

You have to find a boat launch to get there. That's the problem. I was out on a 16' tracker and launched at eagle rock ave. problem is, you can't get up river that far in a boat that size. We went over and under some large obstacles dragging the bottom of the boat at some spots. We take our boat through some things that would turn most people away but even we couldn't get through. We didn't even make it to Bloomfield ave. If you launch there bring a chainsaw because there are some large trees laying across the river, and watch your trolling motor because some are right under the surface.

There is a boat ramp on camp lane but m not sure if the land is owned by the house that's about 100 yards away. Not to mention its in the woods and if you leave your truck unattended it may or may not be a problem.

I was under the impression the town closed the ramp at Camp Lane?

[420*NightCrawler]

I was under the impression the town closed the ramp at Camp Lane?

Anyone know if this is true, or the legality of launching from there and parking? I just found it looking at satellite pics/map and am searching out trying to figure how 'safe' the place is.

[basspilot]

I was there last month and there is signs stating that it is for emergency equipment only or something to that matter. I belive fairfield PD is listed on that sign so I guess you could always give them a call and see what they say. What are you trying to launch there because if its small such as a kayak or canoe there are other places where you could drrop in to avoid that.

[420*NightCrawler]

Thanks. I did a search here on the website and found out the same info- no longer allowed to launch there. Someone needs to take down that sign at night.:rolleyes:

I was looking to launch a 14' rowboat w/electric motor and go up into GPM part of the passaic river. I guess I'll have to borrow my friend's non-fishing style yak if I want to get up into there. I prefer to stand in a rowboat and get a better view down into the water from above, but I'll do what I gotta do to get where I wanna get, and get the fish I wanna get.