Raritan river/S. Bound Brook 3/15

Stopped by the falls in south bound today around lunch time to try a catch some shad. Threw a green dart but no takers. But there were a great deal of fish jumping into the falls. Not sure what they were, perhaps trout. They seemed to be there in numbers what ever they were. Also there was a tarp on both sides of the fish ladder. Curious.....fish trying to go upstream but the ladder is closed....then whats the point of the ladder? Was also wondering with all the damms coming out why dont they take out that dam as well as the duke island falls. The duke island falls were put in to back up the river to fill the canal that is none exisitant anymore....no?

[Lard Almighty]

The fish jumping up the falls could have been suckers, they usually start running this time of year.

[AndyS]

Thanx for posting, we need to find out why the fish ladder is closed .

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Thanx for posting, we need to find out why the fish ladder is closed .

Recently, the NJ Water Supply Authority spent 4 days cleaning out the ladder. Yesterday it was closed, as that is when we went down into the ladder to tidy up & clean (with Barbasol Shave Cream, of all things) the Lexan window inside & out.

Yes, we know it is an extra early run & that the shad are probably there.

NJWSA will open it today, or early next week.

We plan to start video taping the run when our 2 fisheries techs. come onboard on 3/26.