north jersey pike

[kmofom]

I've been lurking for a extremely long time and have to say all you guys have some great info. It's helped me come a long way. I'm usually fishing for large mouth but with my tight schedule now I would like to fish for some pike.

Im currently living between central jersey and nc with my new job so I barely have any time to fish. I'm hoping you guys could help me out with figuring out where to go. My buddy and I are planning on going up north tomorrow morning for the day to attempt to find pike.

I'm not looking for anyones secret spots just some guidance to find some. I've never really fished up that way and I know it's last minute but any help would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone is up for it I'm always down to meet new people if someone wants to come out with is. We will be fishing shorelines so no boat or kayak at the moment.

These are 2 of the 100's of largemouths I have caught this year. First and foremost all fish were catch and release and swam strongly away.

First one was around 4.5 lbs and second is 5.5lbs or so and 21.5 inches

[BottomBouncer13]

Nice hog. And beautiful color on that first one. Nice jobbbb

[BottomBouncer13]

Oh yeah and if u want to find pike fish the Passaic. As far as spots go, use Google earth. Find a bridge and take a walk. That's what I do

[Esox Luciano]

Welcome to the site, and nice Lmb! With chunky bass like that had me wondering what your personal best is?
As far as searching for pike, no need. The state stocks them in 9 different bodies of water in NJ. As for your chances on catching one, just be dedicated, you'll get em '. NJF&W lists in the freshwater digest areas that are stocked. Here is that list from most stocked, to least stocked. Hope this helps & good luck on your piking ventures!

Spruce Run Reservoir: 6,723
Budd Lake: 5,417
Farrington Lake: 2,903
Pompton River: 2,824
Passaic River: 2,579
Pompton Lake: 2,061
Cranberry Lake: 1,784
Deal Lake: 1,580
Millstone River: 1,525

[Andrushkin33]

LoL,

And if you catch one in either Farrington or Cranberry I want to see proof.

Beautiful catches by the way and welcome to the site

Andre

[XXlyakattacker]

I fish Spruce often and have yet to catch a pike. Caught tons of bass and hybrids and lots of everything else under the sun but no pike. I'm starting to think that it's a myth that they are in there.

[Jedhead]

Oh, there in there!

[tautog]

I wouldn't bother with Deal Lake.

[kmofom]

My personal best is actually the 21.5. Well now pike or trout today. I was set on trying sterling park first and walking that. Tons of fingerlings and one small bass was caught. We weren't to sure where we wanted to go next. I was thinking east but then I thought this will be the only time I can het my friend to checkout pequest river and what not.

For being such a pain on opening day trout and refusing to go anywhere up north he now wishes we did. So next time I'm in the state I will be hitting more east of the passiac and I will get one pike atleast. All in all it was a beautiful day to cast lines and take a walk.

Oh and is millstone river actually in millstone as in around six flags. If so I may attempt there tomorrow since it was 30 mins away.

Oh and thanks again for all the advice and tight lines!