Pike disappearing?

[buzzbaiter]

Snags were removed 4-6 years ago. You can see the piles(now rotting away covered in weeds). Haven't noticed any recent removals at least where I go along the Morris/Essex/Union borders. After Sandy, more trees came crashing down and created new snags. One thing for sure the weeds are worst then ever. I think weeds - like our lakes during the summer - offer the fish hiding spots and are hard to fish around/through. River seems shallower too. When the mud clears, its shocking how shallow it really is - often mere inches. The lack of deeper pools seems evident. It certainly isn't angler pressure. In about 15 hrs of fishing, have yet to see a canoe or kayak. A few bucket guys but they were near bridges and not moving around much. A few remote areas had boot prints but not many.

On the plus side, getting some decent bass and pickerel not to mention a bunch of panfish. River is certainly not lacking for fish life.

Lots of wildlife too. Spooked a turkey with here many young. She had about 20 little ones who - despite being so small - managed to fly over the river.