Help Me Pick a North Jersey Lake

[reason162]

for my maiden kayak voyage. Live in Bergen County, looking to get out Easter Sunday, picking up the yak tomorrow (Hobie i11s). Used to fish Stone Tavern/Rising Sun/Assunpink from a canoe years back, but looking for something closer to home.

I suppose the most important thing is access for launching a kayak, if there's bass/panfish to be caught I'll consider it a bonus! Prefer a smaller lake, clear water, treelines to duck from wind, etc. Have thought about the Passaic River too, drive by it all the time never fished it. Any help appreciated, this will be my first time freshwater fishing in about a decade :)

[Mikeps326]

Shepards lake is a pretty good lake for a Kayak but Passaic river is a really good choice too but I usually go there in the summer for smallies.

[NJ Dave]

First off if this is a maiden voyage please wear a pfd. Also remember the water is still cold so if you tank without a dry suit be prepared for the worst.
Remember, you need to dress for the water temp,not the air temp.
With that said, local to Bergen co we don't have too much lake wise. Tilcon lake holding salmon or potash is lose to us. If I was to choose round Valley. Deep clear and has plenty to to catch. Watch the wind there tho. I always like the lakes up around west Milford off of skyline road.
Greenwood lake or Lake Hopatcong is another option.
Have fun, be safe.

[briansnat]

Give Green Turtle Pond a shot. I think it has a lot of what you are looking for. Small lake but big enough to keep you busy on your kayak. Easy launch and plentiful panfish and some nice bass to be had. Not too long of a drive from Bergen Cty.
http://jerseypaddling.blogspot.com/2009/10/green-turtle-pond-west-milford-nj.html

[Predator]

Round Valley is the last place I'd make my maiden voyage on a yak. Little scary don't ya think? Green Turtle is a fine suggestion.

[henro]

Round Valley is the last place I'd make my maiden voyage on a yak. Little scary don't ya think? Green Turtle is a fine suggestion.

That's what I was thinking. Enough people have died in that lake from a boat let alone a kayak.

[MattK]

How far are you willing to travel? Pompton lake wouldnt be an awful choice and depending on where in bergen you are not a long trip. Shepherd is pretty good too. If you want to travel a little further aeroflex, cranberry, jefferson lake are all pretty yak friendly right now.

[NJSquatch]

Green turtle and Shepards are what you are looking for. There won't be any boats generating wakes to contend with like at pompton lake and monksville

Check out the dep places to fish site for other locations

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm?prompt=0

Good luck

[RussH]

I have a friend who Kayaks on Sheppard Lake and seems to like it. My last experience there wasn't so great though. The trails are no longer marked and it's extremely crowded and the boat rental place had like 4 functioning row boats. knowing a bit (lot) of Spanish might help also.

[Moz]

Let us know how you make out tomorrow.

I just finished yesterday the mods on my new yak. Itching to get it out on the water as well. Round Valley my closest place to launch from but going to wait a bit on that one seeing other posters here have only reinforced the poo-inducing fear of that place when the water temps are cold. :eek:

[Bruce Litton]

Shepherd Lake is trout stocked, so I'm assuming the season's closed as of today or last weekend, though haven't read the '16 digest yet. Pike get caught Passaic this early, as this site attests. Hopatcong stays open despite trout stocking.

[Ken Lyons]

I think Oxford Furnance would be my choice for a first timer from your area. It's too small to have the wind issues that RV has and while Spruce is closer it's always much colder. Good luck.

[reason162]

Wow thank you guys for all the recommendations!

Got the yak today, and there's a ton of mods to do before I can take her fishing, so maiden voyage postponed. Will definitely check out the lakes mentioned.

No dry suit, but definitely have my PFD and will wear it. Also plan on sticking close to shore and picking a calm day...even so, don't think I'll be hitting Round Valley just yet.

Thanks again, will report back when I do make my trip!

[XXlyakattacker]

RoundValley =last place for maiden kayak voyage. They don't call it death Valley for more reason.

[dopderbeck]

Just a bit further up Waywayanda is nice

[Skunk City]

Pompton Lake is a good choice for a kayak newb. Easy access,not too big, good fishing, and not closed for Trout.