Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

I was fishing the Raritan one evening last week for smallmouths and doing pretty well when I spotted a carcass washed ashore upstream from where I was fishing.
I thought it might be a fawn, but as I got closer I could see it was a very large fish. When I got right up on it I could see that it was a paddlefish .
I've been fishing in NJ for decades and this is the only one I've ever seen !
Is this a rare fish in NJ ? Have any of you guys ever seen one in NJ ?

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Don't think I've ever heard of one in NJ before. You should definitely report in to F&G. On the endangered species list, they're listed as vulnerable. Apparently they're almost in the same category as sturgeon regarding being over fished for their eggs. Would you happen to have a picture you can post? Very rare find.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Only thing I've seen close to that prehistoric
are sturgeon....I suppose no pic??

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

:p
Pics or it didnt happen

or tell where this is and ill check out the spot. if it was last week, there wasnt any high water to move the fish from wherever you say it was.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Where on the Raritan were you fishing ? A photo would really help, even of a carcass. The big dead fish I have seen on the river usually turn out to be White Amur, aka Grass Carp.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Sorry no pictures, I was fishing by the RT. 206 Bridge . Wasn't able to go back the very next morning, but did go the following day with my camera and plastic bags but it was no longer there. Im still using an old flip phone! lol.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Where exactly by 206. I was around there this weekend. I know the area quite well. By the powerlines? Old train bridge? Ive seen some huge ass fish around there before, once something at least 4 feet long.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

I was south of the bridge by what I guess is a pump station ! This fish was easily 4ft. long.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Yea i was literally there that weekend and would have seen it if it was still there. Guess the turtles dragged it off.

Re: Paddle Fish in Raritan
 

Sturgeon or big muskie...long way from the Mississippi River Basin to reach the Raritan!