New to New Jersey fishing

[jonjon85]

Hi guys. I've done a bit of reading on here and various other websites,but can't seem to find a lot of concrete information on what fish species live where.
I'm relatively new to New Jersey so I'm not familiar with the area and I don't really get the chance to go out exploring the various rivers and lakes.
I took my wife and her nine year old brother fishing this past Saturday and they both had a decent time catching various sunfish and a couple of perch. All in all we caught around sixty fish,not bad for their first times. Thing is next time we go I'd like to fish for something a little more exciting.I don't want them getting bored of catching the same few fish. I was thinking of fishing for catfish, specifically bullheads. Does anyone know of any lakes containing a decent population of them in the north of Jersey?
I apologize in advance for the long muddled post. I'd just like my brother in law to grow up with the kinds of memories I have of sitting by the lake/river and not knowing what I catch next.

[jmurr711]

welcome aboard dude, most of the local ponds & lakes have bullheads & channel cats. The delaware river has great catfishing especially at night for bullheads & channel cats, theres even been flatheads caught. also NJ has awesome pickerel fishing all ear long in the NJ Pine barren cedar water lakes & a pickerel with its ferocity is always neat for kids. good luck man

[acabtp]

welcome to the site!! http://www.njfishing.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gifhttp://www.njfishing.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

here are a few links to help get you started
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fish_warmwater.htm - lots of info on all of NJ's warmwater fish, including habitat preferences, etc
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fish_bullhead.htm - the bullhead page
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fish_ch_cat.htm - once you guys have your bullhead routine down, might want to move up to channel cats, much larger
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm - list of public fishing locations w/ access points

that ought to get you going. not sure what part of the state you're in, but if you fill out your location in your profile you'll get some more localized recommendations.

[Eskimo]

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Where area do you live in and how far are you willing to travel to go fishing?



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[briansnat]

In addition to the links above, these tell you what fish are in which bodies of water.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2003/plcpnds03.pdf

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2003/plcstrms03.pdf

[jonjon85]

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Where area do you live in and how far are you willing to travel to go fishing?



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Thanks for the quick replies guys, I appreciate it :)

I live in Bergen county,I'd prefer to stay in the northern counties,but going a little central shouldn't be a problem.

[Skunk City]

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

[briansnat]

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

And eating them gives your skin a healthy green glow. ;)

[jonjon85]

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

The Hackensack isn't far,finding a decent spot could be tricky. I guess I need to go for a walk :p

[Rybazłapać]

Welcome and along with the locations the experts have given the NJ Fish and Game app breaks Jersey down into 3 sections, north, central, and south. It gives species in the waters. Checking the stocking lists can also help from there. Good luck and have fun.

[Skunk City]

The Hackensack isn't far,finding a decent spot could be tricky. I guess I need to go for a walk :p

Being in Wood-Ridge, you are 15 minutes or less from a ton of parks with direct access to the river. From Secaucus up to River Edge, I can think of at least 5 public parks that I have caught fish from. Many boat ramps, including floating docks to set up from. Send me a PM, I will point you in the right direction.

I spent half of my childhood on North Ave in Wood-Ridge. Welcome to the area.

[ScowardNJ]

Welcome to the site! Take a look at the Passaic River also. All kinds of stuff swimming in the river. Carp, pike, cats, smallies, etc...

[420*NightCrawler]

I fish the northern part of the state as well (bass, pike, pickerel). I usually hit Harriman state park in NY, Ramapo lake by Skyline Dr in Oakland (a 15 minute hike uphill to the lake), or Monksville reservoir (a hard lake to fish). Other places I hit are Blue lake in Sterling Forest and sometimes Shepherd's lake, a few miles from there. Greenwood lake is pretty good too, but I don't know any shore spots, and I've only fished there from a boat. Lots of guys on here fish the Passaic river for Pike as well. There's a few parts not far from Bergen County.

[jonjon85]

Thank you for all the helpful posts guys. Hopefully I can put your advice to good use soon.
I do all my fishing from the shore,but if I find I'm too limited I may rent a boat.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Welcome to the site dude!!! Lots and lots of info can be found here. Using you PM feature can get you all the info you need to know. Also, doing a search of a species your looking for can lead you in the right direction. TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[bigboy5522]

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

I tried the Hackensack river at least 5 times the past 2 weeks in Carlstadt and did not catch one catfish. What do you use for bait?

[njflyfisher]

I tried the Hackensack river at least 5 times the past 2 weeks in Carlstadt and did not catch one catfish. What do you use for bait?

i fished hackensack a couple time caught some big cats. what did you catch?

[bigboy5522]

just one eel