River Ice

[ng20corn]

Does anybody know if any trout rivers (Ken Lockwood Gorge, Pequest, Musconetcong) are free of ice enough to do any fly fishing? I live like an hour away and don't want to drive all the way there just to have a full sheet of ice over the whole thing. Thanks

[AndyS]

Many streams are locked up right now or have a ton of shelf ice on the edges, I'd wait a few weeks.

[bigfishy]

Much agreed with Andy!!! You may be able to find a fishable section or two but overall its locked up.....When it does thaw, expect chunk ice follwed by high brown water....A few weeks is a conservative guestimate on time till its fishable...Check out shannons website for accurate strem conditions
http://www.shannonsflytackle.com/

[Billfish715]

These are a few pictures I took last week along the South Branch. The rivers are low and ice covered around the edges and shallow or slow areas. There is open water but access is limited for the most part. Parking along the roads is almost non existent because of the snow. The smaller streams are about the same but some very popular stretches were frozen. It's always great to be out but be careful. The trout stocked waters close pretty soon so if you gotta go, pick a warm day when your guides won't freeze. Don't be disappointed if some of your favorite pools are frozen or the open water is very shallow. Or, cure your Jones's at the Outdoor Show in Suffern, N.Y. this weekend.