Opening Day NJ Trout Opinions ?

[xperks22]

Yesterday I checked out a couple of my favorite spots for trout on the pompton river to see what the rain did. It looks like most rivers are ripping as we speak and very muddy. Im hoping the currents and clarity settle by Saturday but it is not looking good with more rain in the forecast. What does everyone think about opening day this year ?

[acabtp]

the more rain before or on opening day the better in my opinion.

that way the few trout that do get stocked this year will get spread around and not all just settle in the holes closest to the stocking points. anything that will help stretch out this year's limited season will help.

[briansnat]

I think I will do the same thing I've done my entire fishing life and avoid opening day anywhere. I don't like crowds. I've seen newspaper photos of 50 or so fishermen in a circle at the bottom of Saxton Falls and thought "how can that be fun?"

[Predator]

I did some exploring of the Allamuchy area this past winter and discovered Saxton Falls. Not a soul in sight or even a fish. lol… So when I got home I googled Saxton Falls and saw the pictures of fishermen standing side by side. Wow, that's insane. I said to myself, id take the fish less day over that scene any day. It's a beautiful place though and I will hit it again in the future. Also the river I plan on fishing Saturday looked un fishable as of yesterday. A rip roaring mud bath is all I saw. No chance in catching trout for me if conditions remain as is. It's still early in the week though.

[Eskimo]

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The craziness of opening day of trout season is antithetical to the quiet, natural fishing experience I normally seek when I go outdoors.

But taken on it's own merit, there are a few things I can appreciate about opening day:

-Tradition: I've fished the same pond on opening day twenty-something years. Every year, it's the first fishing I do in New Jersey

-Social: I meet the same people fishing in the same spots on opening day every year. Normally, I wouldn't tolerate other fishermen being close enough to talk to me none-the-less have their elbow in my face when we're fishing.

-Harvest: I would never kill a bass or a native trout, but these trout released into a muddy pond are stocked here with the expectation that they will be taken home.

This year might be different because some fishermen will be forced to find different ponds and rivers because the stocking has changed. Some rivers may be unfishable due to high water this weekend, also. I'll have to wait until next Saturday to see what effect this has. I expect it to be even more crowded.

I am feeling hopeful that the rainy weekend preceding opening day has cut down on some of the pre-season poaching. That's always an issue in Union County and other areas that have a lot of foreigners. (yes I said that)


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[Eskimo]

I did some exploring of the Allamuchy area this past winter and discovered Saxton Falls. Not a soul in sight or even a fish. lol… So when I got home I googled Saxton Falls and saw the pictures of fishermen standing side by side. Wow, that's insane...

Meh, it's typical for an area where stockies congregate on opening day.
I've seen small pools on the Big Flatbrook a lot more crowded than that weeks and months after opening day.

http://www.hackettstownlife.com/images/forum/2010/04/f3f90cb1e03ecede53820eeb7c50fd704b126e16.jpg

[buzzbaiter]

I haven't been out on OD since high school about 30 years ago. Fishing to me is and always will be a solo sport and not some social event. Worst day of the year for those who enjoy peaceful fishing alone. That's why I'll be over in Pa on some remote mountain stream miles from the madness.

[Predator]

a circle jerk…lol

[buzzbaiter]

That dam should be torn down as it no longer of any use other than piling up mud behind it. However its considered historic so it will stay in place.

[ithaca10]

Opening day of trout season in NJ is a tradition for us. I'm glad everyone thinks it's crowded so stay home or go to PA or NY. Try walking 100 yds up or downstream from the bridge or the stocking sign and you'll have the river to yourself.

Yes Saxton Falls is insane and always has been for the last sixty yrs that i can remember. Many yrs ago who was governor at the time would come up to wet a line at Saxton Falls.

[Jenger]

I don't think i'll be out OD, ill see if I can get some weekdays in next week :D

[Michael82929]

I dont fish opening day anymore.. actually its opening day of baseball so that will have me tied up.

Pops is on a sussex county run this am. If he told me what was true, trucks were light with what was going in the water this week.

Word of advice - I would reset expectatons for trout season this season and just be happy to get out and catch some fish. Not as many making their way into the water.

Promote catch and release this yr, the streams will need every fish available if you want to enjoy May, June and early July.

[UglyStick]

The older I get, the more and more I hate the crowds on opening day but it's a tradition so I still put up with it. It's also the day I see 100x times more violations than any other day of the year with respect to licenses, size and especially limits. I wish they had more CO's even if just for this 1 day.

Still haven't decided where to go since the rivers were raging when I scouted this past Sunday but I'll probably end up back at my usual spot on Big Flat Brook. Good luck to everyone...

[Polelock]

More rain on the way Thursday and Friday....I will make the call on Friday where we go..river, pond, or lake...

[jimmythegreek]

promote catch and release, the state shouldnt have to stock as many fish if they stayed in the rivers/holdover lakes and actually spawned naturally

[Mikeps326]

How packed do you guys think round valley will be Saturday?

[AndyS]

Depends on the weather at RV. Since the lake is open year round it's really not a crush to get in there. Some big fish were caught there today.

[acaravaglia]

I consider opening day a tradition. If I catch something other than the next guy's line, great. If not, that's ok to. I bet places will be packed seeing that we are scheduled to have nice weather Saturday.

[Ol Pedro]

No opening day morning for me. I might go in the evening to Prospertown Lake. Second day and weekday evenings work better for me .

[sportfishingusa]

Wish i knew where to go and how to catch them, i would like to go.. lol

Anyone in the local monmouth county area wanna give me a little help, i would greatly appreciate it.. I am lost when it comes to fresh water.

[NJ Dave]

Opening trout for me is Monday at 11 am. No crowds, no early start, and a little sun on the water.
I will say opening day is always a good time. Not so much the fishing but sitting around watching the maniacs two feet up each others buts tangling lines, standing in the water scaring the fish, and watching the frustration.
Its nice to walk down and away from the crowds and return with fish.
The part of opening day I miss is the parking lot bbq with my friends grilling up Portuguese chorizo sausage and fresh trout and laughing about.
Working weekends puts a damper on this.
Being my usual stream is not getting fish this year due to the disease I'm not sure my Monday will even happen.
Good luck to all and have fun.

[briansnat]

Wish i knew where to go and how to catch them, i would like to go.. lol

Anyone in the local monmouth county area wanna give me a little help, i would greatly appreciate it.. I am lost when it comes to fresh water.

This should help some.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/accesswater.htm

Or this which is up to date as of today

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2014/trout_access14_county.pdf

As for how just go out with the lightest rod and line you own and throw some small spinners or spoons.

[Eskimo]

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Look at it this way, -no matter how artifical of a fishing experience opening day feels like, at least you're not fishing in an indoor pay-lake.

In Korea, they have indoor fishing facilities stocked with carp. For a small hourly fee, you can sit there and catch-and-release stocked fish.

Now don't you feel better about opening day?


http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/05/27/sports/27fishing.600.jpg

[Almaink]

I'll hit the D&R Canal in West Trenton just like I've been doing for the last 10 or so years. Lots of room if you walk 50 yards away from the crowds. Plus most people leave after fishing about an hour or less.

[shrimpman steve]

Wish i knew where to go and how to catch them, i would like to go.. lol

Anyone in the local monmouth county area wanna give me a little help, i would greatly appreciate it.. I am lost when it comes to fresh water.

Hey big man
Anytime you want, take the 90 minute ride up to me and bring waders. I'll get u some fish!

[EJS]

Xperks22, that's a great question. Given the limited stocking geographically, numerically and time frame, I think it's going to be a real shit show! I would say strategy is go where people aren't! Don't be afraid to travel a mile up or down stream and find a hole.

Holdover trout should be present from fall stocking and with the high water you may see some spring stocking there as well!

Condition will be stained at best. I have been looking at the USGS flow data for the South Branch from middle Hunterdon County into western Somersett County. Water is up at about the 6' mark, so conditions will faster currents. River is muddy to stained right now, depending in where you look.

I would say get up early, go scout as any rainfall today/tonight could drastically change conditions for tomorrow. Look at the smaller trout stocked streams. Granted they will most likely not have a 6lb rainbow doing a backstroke in there, but will clear faster and offer sufficient stocking numbers!

[xperks22]

EJS, Thanks I will be on the Ramapo for the 8am start. Any specific colors that your prefer to use for working spinners in dirty water ?

[Chris1129]

I was going to take my 4 year old down to Spring Lake, but after reading some posts from years past about the overcrowding and the madness I think I'll pass.

Gonna stay local I think. As of now I'm thinking of attending the event at Nomehegan Park in town and try to put my son on a few trout. Also may try Milton Lake or some spots in Cranford on the Rahway River.

Do these spots get crowded? Haven't fished opening day trout since I was a kid with my Dad.

[Jigman13]

As of now I'm thinking of attending the event at Nomehegan Park in town and try to put my son on a few trout. Also may try Milton Lake or some spots in Cranford on the Rahway River.

Do these spots get crowded? Haven't fished opening day trout since I was a kid with my Dad.

Milton--yes... People actually start showing up the night before sometimes. Then it usually stays crowded until 1-2 PM. Not sure if it's chocolate milk, either. It flows pretty good through there after a good rain. I know that the Rahway River in Cranford/Winfield Park gets pretty packed too. Past few years I swung thru some spots and they were seemingly 'fished out' by noon. We had a lot less water last yr, though. You can also try the back of Rahway Park but it, too, may be crowded.

Regardless of all that, hope the kid has fun. I'm taking my five yr old out tomorrow! Looking to get him his first trout.

[Eskimo]

I was going to take my 4 year old down to Spring Lake, but after reading some posts from years past about the overcrowding and the madness I think I'll pass.

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I think opening day of trout season isn't the best day to introduce a kid to fishing, unless it's set up just for kids. Some towns have fishing derby just for kids where they stock a little pond.

In my experience, the best time to introduce a kid to fishing is when the sunfish are spawning. In four-to-six weeks you're going to see a lot of sunfish move shallow and build nests close to the shorline. If you fish a good nesting area, it will be non-stop action. Perfect for a little kid with a short attention span.


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[Chris1129]

I think opening day of trout season isn't the best day to introduce a kid to fishing, unless it's set up just for kids. Some towns have fishing derby just for kids where they stock a little pond.

In my experience, the best time to introduce a kid to fishing is when the sunfish are spawning. In four-to-six weeks you're going to see a lot of sunfish move shallow and build nests close to the shorline. If you fish a good nesting area, it will be non-stop action. Perfect for a little kid with a short attention span.


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He has been fishing before for sunnys last season in the back of nomehegan.....we will see how it goes...I picked up some worms at local pet shop. He is excited to go. Only a mile away so if all fails we head to the car!