Passaic River Fishing

[AntS]

What's up everyone, hope the beginning of the season is going well!

It's been a while since I've fished Freshwater. I've been recently sticking to Saltwater for Tuna, Fluke, Shark and Stripers but nothing draws me in to Freshwater again like a good 20+lb carp on 8-lb test.

Behind Memorial Pool in Fair Lawn used to be extremely eventful, but through the past couple years, I've noticed activity has dropped, as well as minimal activity near Marcal Bridge in Elmwood Park.

That's why I'm looking for any and everywhere for guidance. Those two-hour long fights on an Ultralight are much more exciting sometimes than a triple digit Thresher on a St Croix Legend.

[MudCat08]

Carp fishing is awesome. I think they are without a doubt one of the most fun freshwater fish to catch!
That said the biggest I've found was a 10lb+ in Hackensack river on a nightcrawler (I usually fish with corn.) My goal is to some day catch a 30lb one somewhere in NJ.

I doubt i can help you with exact location considering i haven't found carp that big yet, but general areas that will have big ones should be Spruce Run Reservoir, Monksville Res, Greenwood Lake, Hackensack River, Delaware River, Raritan River, Millstone river, Passaic River tidal section or above the Dundee Dam.
Not sure if you're looking for areas only on Passaic river.
Show us some carp when you catch them!

[logs22]

I was just fishing the Passaic River last week and saw lots of very large carp on the upstream side of the Passaic Ave. Bridge in Short Hills/Chatham (close to Canoe Brook Res. #1). You can park right next to bridge on the side of the road. I spoke with another angler there and he said he bowfishes for carp in that spot.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Spent more then a few of days of my misguided youth fishing for carp and have to agree, one of best fighting and fun fish to target....

Welcome to the site and I know there are more then a few Carp guys here who do very well so hopefully they can help you.

[AntS]

Appreciate the insight guys. It's been a while but I've caught a few 20-30lbers over the course of a few years. Unfortunately, it looks like the Fair Lawn/EP/Hawthorne areas have diminished. I'll definitely try upriver though!

[AntS]

I was just fishing the Passaic River last week and saw lots of very large carp on the upstream side of the Passaic Ave. Bridge in Short Hills/Chatham (close to Canoe Brook Res. #1). You can park right next to bridge on the side of the road. I spoke with another angler there and he said he bowfishes for carp in that spot.

If I can ask, what time of the day did you spot them? I was thinking about going today but mid-day fishing sucks no matter where you go.

[Skunk City]

A few years ago we held our NJF Pike-a-thon at the Elmwood Park section of the river. Horrible idea, considering the Carp were spawning at that time. Throughout the day (which nobody caught ANYTHING), hundreds of Carp could be seen in small groups splashing at the surface, EVERYWHERE. So no, the population has definitely not taken a hit there. Put the time in and you will get them!

[AntS]

A few years ago we held our NJF Pike-a-thon at the Elmwood Park section of the river. Horrible idea, considering the Carp were spawning at that time. Throughout the day (which nobody caught ANYTHING), hundreds of Carp could be seen in small groups splashing at the surface, EVERYWHERE. So no, the population has definitely not taken a hit there. Put the time in and you will get them!

Thanks for the tip. I used to put a kayak in over there and fish for bass behind the houses closer to Fair Lawn. Bass were everywhere. At least 200 in 3-4 hours on white curly tails.

[ScowardNJ]

I see some monsters in the Hackensack River in the River Edge/New Milford areas. The river is tidal but maybe try pre-baiting some of the slow current areas for those pigs.

[logs22]

If I can ask, what time of the day did you spot them? I was thinking about going today but mid-day fishing sucks no matter where you go.


It was actually mid-afternoon when I was fishing. As usual the river was brown and muddy but there was a tree down across the river that I walked out on and from that vantage point I saw a number of very large carp circling in the pool you see upstream from the bridge. Good luck!

[briansnat]

When I was a kid I used to catch some huge carp next to the Union Ave bridge between Passaic and Rutherford. No reason to think they aren't still there. At the time the river was so polluted that I would try not to even handle the fish. I would get them on shore, cut the line and tie on a new hook. The river is much cleaner now.

I don't enjoy fishing for carp these days though I know they provide a legendary fight. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is my associating them with polluted water and generally unappealing places to fish or perhaps because they seem so butt ugly to me, or a combination of all three.

[logs22]

I don't enjoy fishing for carp these days though I know they provide a legendary fight. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is my associating them with polluted water and generally unappealing places to fish or perhaps because they seem so butt ugly to me, or a combination of all three.

HA, I feel exactly the same way! Couldn't have said it better.

[Riz]

that Elmwood park section is fine. occasionally ill drop my boat in their for bass or pike. no shortage of carp. definatly one of the most underated fish id say. in my youth we use to catch them in saddle river in Rochelle park and lodi. that was 30 years back though.

[Fred E. Goose]

Anybody know if the Fairlawn or Elmwood Park spots allow trailer parking? I've fished both from land and have seen kayaks launched and rowboats launched off the back of pickup trucks, but never saw any trailers parked at either. I didn't want to find out the hard way if they'd ticket you for parking a trailer at either. Anyone know?

[Esox Luciano]

No worries about trailer parking there Fred. I'm always around there and you'll be alright.

[Fred E. Goose]

No worries about trailer parking there Fred. I'm always around there and you'll be alright.

Thanks Esox!

[23cardinal]

Can launch from Lincoln park or camp lane too. Didn't see any this time, but pompton lake is still packed