Waleyes & Pike

[Blackfish Doug]

Hey guys I wanted to try to get these 2 species off my bucket list. I live in central NJ I'm looking for area to fish for these critters. I don't own a boat but I'm willing to rent or even jump on charter if somebody's looking for a extra. I fish either Mondays or Thursdays if my schedule fits yours post or PM me. I promise I won't bring my blackfish gear or green crabs but those crayfish seem close.

[Eskimo]

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I don't think you'll need a charter boat to catch pike or walleye.

They're actually not uncommon in central and north Jersey. It's just a matter of putting in the time, learning the techniques, and a bit of luck.

This past summer I caught my first pike. I got some approximate locations and advice on which lure were effective from the good people of NJfishing and set aside some time on the weekend to get out on the water and cast my lures.



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[jimmythegreek]

hit the river(s) for pike and throw big plugs or spinnerbaits once it warms up, if you do a search for passaic river u will see tons of posts with details on lures and tactics.

walleye can be found in many rivers, the most stocked location in our area is the delaware, but not an easy fishery. Otherwise u would hit GW, SW or LH and theres also a reservoir by permit that holds them. eyeballs start hitting soon but they are C+R till may, I catch many from land u just have to put ur time in.

[briansnat]

Here is a map of pike stocked waters in NJ.

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/images/fishing/map_pike.jpg

[Blackfish Doug]

Thanks guys for the advice with this winter we had I'm getting cabin fever. The Salt water fishery has been really hit hard by this winter. I think things that I like to fish for wont be good for quite a while. I just hope things warm up for everybody. I know it effects fresh water as well but fresh water warms up a lot quicker then salt water does. I have been reading all the advice on this board it has been great.

[Bassload]

That pike map shows that Deal Lake has Pike. Has anyone ever had any luck landing a pike from there? Also was wondering how bad of a hit it took from Sandy seeing how close it is the ocean?

[Hoop79d]

The lake was inundated. Though the salinity levels have returned to acceptable levels, just needs some time. There's a write-up on the affected coastal lakes in the freshwater digest. You can also find a map of contours on the state site for reference.

[420*NightCrawler]

I'm not a walleye fisherman although I've caught a few, but as far as pike, 99% of my catches have been on #4 silver spinnerbaits or top lures like Jitterbugs or fake frogs/lizards on weedless hook setups. They're almost always hanging in the weeds or along the edges, and sometimes surprisingly shallow. Run a spinnerbait along the edges of the weeds and floating or weedless lures thru the masses of weeds. I've also had the most luck in late May thru June. I typically fish them in lakes, so the guys that pick them up in the rivers may have different approaches, but I doubt they vary that much. I'm in NNJ and have never fished central Jersey waters, so I can't help with what's in your area, but the fish will definitely hit the same baits. You can definitely catch these guys from the shoreline easily as well. Just look for water that carries pike and find yourself some weeds to cast. Each cast is a cast closer to catching one. My go to spinnerbait is the Blue Fox Vibrax #4, silver with a white bucktail. I tie in 2 strands of red thread with the white bucktail as well.

[kmaty]

Farmington has pike but are very difficult to come by i usually get 1 a yr

[Jigman13]

Farmington has pike but are very difficult to come by i usually get 1 a yr

I'm dying to get one there. Gonna start chucking stripers plugs in there soon lol... In brook trout pattern! I think I may have found an area that'll yield an elusive esox from there! Thousands a yr are stocked and they're seemingly rare...

[kmaty]

Yea i have a exclusive spot all nets they got all over the place wait till i go pull all those nets you guys will poop your pants with all the picts il be posting!

[Jigman13]

What do you mean nets? Guys set up illegal nets over there??

[Skunk City]

Yea i have a exclusive spot all nets they got all over the place wait till i go pull all those nets you guys will poop your pants with all the picts il be posting!

For the state's broodstock?

[Jigman13]

For the state's broodstock?

Ahh... that's prob it Rob. A guy was telling me the other day when I was fishing that the state pulls some slobs outta there for the broodstock prog. I just didnt put 2 and 2 together.

[kmaty]

Notreally sure what there for i got the cold shoulder when asked but kinda not thinking out side the box lets set nets and then stock 15ft away ahhhh dahhhh!..

[Jigman13]

Notreally sure what there for i got the cold shoulder when asked but kinda not thinking out side the box lets set nets and then stock 15ft away ahhhh dahhhh!..

hahaha!

[kmaty]

I can hear it now record amount of trout netted in survey at xxx lake!!!

[bulletbob]

Doug, in Jersey with no boat your best bet for Walleyes is the Delaware River.. Use jigs.. Plain old Twisters work fine, Gulp is good as well.. The MAIN thing you must remember is this.. Walleyes do NOT like light,,, start fishing as soon as its light enough to see the water, and end by 9 am... Evenings start an hour maybe 2 before sunset until after dark... Pools between riffles, deep rocky bottom, areas with big boulders , structure, will hold Walleyes.. In rivers, most walleyes are near bottom, keep that in mind.. Jigs always work better in rivers for me, although walleyes can be taken on anything, spinners, plugs,baitm etc.. Fish jigs near bottom at dawn and dusk and you will catch some for sure this year..
For Pike, you need go no further than the Passaic River...
It has become the premier Pike fishery on the east coast from what I can see..
Some of the far nothern areas in NY state have better numbers, but we have a LOT of hammer handles up here, as there is a ton of tourist/guide/tournament/trophy pressure here even on the big rivers and lakes.. Lots of locals take them to eat as well.
The average size of Pike out of the Passiac is extremely impressive.. Put your time in, and throw big lures, or better yet, good size live bait, and you'll catch Pike as well..... bob

[phil]

I'm dying to get one there. Gonna start chucking stripers plugs in there soon lol... In brook trout pattern! I think I may have found an area that'll yield an elusive esox from there! Thousands a yr are stocked and they're seemingly rare...

i had one years ago from shore on a shiner come loose when i was at rutgers mid 90's. it was either a ~30" possible state record pickerel or a pike, either way ill never forget that fish. nothing like fishing for dink bass with old 8# mono on a kmart 2 piece rod and losing the fish of a lifetime. im going to try and hit the ressy soon...