passaic river baitfish
 

checked out a new spot on the river tonight, too hot and water was way too shallow. it was however, filled with small baitfish (about 4-6") flashing their sides. considered throwing out a cast net just to ID them as I believe it's legal in rivers and streams in NJ. any ideas on what they were? shiners?

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

Cast net is only illegal in trout stocked waters.

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

and freshwater lakes or beyond 8' diameter elsewhere but any ideas what the "shiners" may be?

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

probably golden shiners or chubs

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

this part of the river is upstream from the area that is posted as trout stocked water, does the no cast net/stocking rule apply to the whole river or just the posted areas?

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

Some of the river above the trout-stocked section is designated wild trout stream, which DEFINITELY would not allow a cast net. Check the boundaries in the compendium.

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

yeah i second that.. prob chubs or shiners..

i think chub

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

I know the water has been pretty low and clear lately, but when I was in the kayak on tuesday, I literally saw hundreds of Sunnies of all sizes on spawning beds. Some were just hanging out, some chasing each other, even some chasing my big Pike lures lol. Could be the fish you guys mentioned above, but just something else to consider...

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

When I was out yesterday I saw a ton of sunfish also. But I would have to say they were Chubs. I no someone who catches them with a little piece of worm and then live lines them. Pike love them I am not one to fish with live bait. Artificial all the way!!!!

Re: passaic river baitfish
 

I managed to catch a couple of baitfish out of the Passaic last week. I thought they were carp?