Any recommendations for fishing/camping trip

[basskicker]

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for spots to take a fishing/camping trip. My camp party would be 2-3 guys and we would be carting an old town canoe so ideally it is an area were we wouldn't have to hike very far with the canoe in tow. Spruce Run seems like a good option but was wondering if there are better options. Thanks.

[Andrushkin33]

Delaware water gap if you not planning on going far.

Spruce Run weekends are pretty much booked just in case that's when you want to go.

Weekdays are still available there.

Round Valley would be another option as well.

Andre

[gary305]

Don't know where your located but turkey swamp park in freehold It has about 60 campsites for tent trailer pop up etc also showers bathrooms all pretty clean Lake is about 20 acres with islands They have boat rentals for canoes rowboats paddleboats for about $6 to $8 an hour also a full day rate or you could use your own canoe about a 50 yard walk from parking lot
Has a good bass pop same for crappie some catfish

[Skunk City]

Have done multi-night Delaware River float trips from my kayak the past two summers and both have been scenic and memorable. If you are up for leaving the luxuries of running water, there are many areas along the river that are set-up as primitive camp sites. Small clearing of land and a fire ring, usually right along the river. First come, first serve. Great landscapes, great fishing and great wildlife.

[basskicker]

We are planning on roughing it for the night so no need for plumbing or electricity. Just access to fishable water and a clearing to setup camp.

The Delaware float trip is one option we were considering and were trying to figure out which stretch of river would have less rapids/etc.

Private sites like panther lake were also being considered or NJ state parks like spruce, high point state park, etc.

[Skunk City]

If you go during a period where it's been dry and the river is at summer levels, you will be pretty much aiming for the rapids to propel you a bit (better than paddling lol). We covered approx. 30 miles last year in August and rapids were always a welcomed sign.

If you go when the river is up after some rains, stay away lol.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Delaware river without a doubt.

[huntcountypussbuck]

Swartswood state park is nice. Can be lots of campers on weekends as other NJ state parks. Have yurts as well as tent\camper sites. Many Bears as well. Saw 4 bears last time out. Perfect waters for the canoe. They have a campers boat launch or your could truck the canoe over to Little swartswood lake for some Tiger Musky as well. Electric motors only on both lakes.

[Jhunter1]

Delaware river would be.my go to. Try and catch/buy some helgrimmites before hand and catch all the smallies you want. Catfish are pretty easy to come by as well.

[Jigman13]

Cedar ridge up in northwest jersey has a decent lil operation. Private ponds with big bass and nearby access to the big d. I used to go up with a group of 15-20 friends before people started having kids and getting married etc. We'd ask for the big secluded lot far away from the other camp sites and debauchery ensued! 3-4 day beer guzzling extravaganza and camp fires with 25ft flames! Lol. I was up with the birds every morning smashing bass with a few of my friends followed by budweisers and bacon. Rinse and repeat until exhaustion haha... They have a bathroom facility that worked to shower off. General store with basics... Def a good time. Ain't pretty but it was good times. One trip while up there, we hit a swap meet and bought a life sized plastic deer and made a beer bong out of it. It got abused thoroughly all wknd and wound up at a shore house that summer after being passed around like the doe whore it was hahaha... Ahhhh to be young and single again...

[thyer]

Not sure how far you want to drive but for options you can't beat the Adirondacks. You can pull a car into a primitive site next to water or close to it, or you can launch at waters edge and paddle to a campsite, you can park and hike to waters edge and then paddle, the options are endless plus it's the most remote you can get without going into Canada. Water is clean and fishing is good and it's a great place to escape the sounds of airplanes, cars city noise and lights. Plenty of paddle only areas. PM me if you would like ideas of where to go.

[ScowardNJ]

I've done a few multi night trips in the St. Regis conoe and kayak region of the ADK's. It's a paddle only region and once you get away from the campgrounds, you are in complete wilderness. A lot of the lakes are chained together by small productive streams. Covering a lot of territory requires portages. It's solid pike and smallmouth water.
The Big D is also an easy winner. As long as the wind isn't blowing up River and stale mating you, all you gotta do is crack a beer and drift.

[basskicker]

Thanks again for all of the recommendations. Since I have a 3month old at home, I was planning on keeping this trip a little more close to home. But I have been daydreaming of going to the Adirondacks in a few yrs.

I think right now we are leaning for a Delaware river trip with a fallback of swartswood or round valley if we have been getting a ton of rain before hand.

We are aiming for mid Sept

[yumasdad]

Check out WAYWAYANDA STATE PARK. Easily to get to the campsites, great fishing (for sunnies, pickerel & stockbows-no bass in there seriously do not even try!).

The campsites can get booked up quickly by the hippie dippy drum circle crowd but the rangers keep them in check.

Lots of bear there so take precautions with your food & garbage-otherwise you may find out that you are not really the top of the food chain!

[SteelCityWonder]

"One trip while up there, we hit a swap meet and bought a life sized plastic deer and made a beer bong out of it. It got abused thoroughly all wknd and wound up at a shore house that summer after being passed around like the doe whore it was hahaha" -- That is awesome.