State Parks and Forests Are Now Closed

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Drossi

This likely had very little if anything to do with lack of social distancing while fishing. It was ll the people that congregated in groups to hike, bike, walk dogs, party, and socialize in the parks that got them shut down. Blanket shutdown cause they can't police them enough to have exceptions and because they can't shut the parks in the densely populated parts of the state and not expect people to drive out to other parks to resume the same activities.

agree, they were just encouraging people to go out and fish with the early trout opening. It's more of a blanket fix on those masses in parks, as you stated.

This sucks, most of the places I fish are closed, but there are still plenty of other places to fish.

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

agree, they were just encouraging people to go out and fish with the early trout opening. It's more of a blanket fix on those masses in parks, as you stated.

This sucks, most of the places I fish are closed, but there are still plenty of other places to fish.

yeah me too, i think I lost 75% of my spots. Oh well I'll have to find new ones.

[EJS]

Does anyone know if the Wildlife Management Areas or the TCAs have been posted as closed?

[Ike8120]

Some municipal stocked lakes are also closed. If people would have just followed the social distancing rules, I would still be able to fish.

[Reelron]

Tonight, 04/09/20, there will be a session of "Ask The Governor." on News channel 12, Channel 29 or 529 on Verizon, I sent my question in yesterday.

"Governor, Now that you have closed the State & County parks, would it be possible for me to fish in the Navesink from your yard? I promise Just me, I will not bring anyone else."

I guess we will see if he really pays attention or if he is more concerned about what his friends in Lakewood are doing?

[Rich_S]

I'm not asking for anyone to give up their spots, but is there a list of trout stocked waters that are accessible by residential street parking and don't require crossing a state/county park or private land? It would be nice if the NJDFW website had a list of "here's where you're actually allowed to fish", not just for informational purposes but also to print out for when the gestapo shows up.

[skippy]

Anyone know if the Newark watershed reservoirs will be open? I don't think they are part of a state or county park system. They were suppose to open on the 11th.

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by EJS

Does anyone know if the Wildlife Management Areas or the TCAs have been posted as closed?

WMA's remain open. I just came back from one,.....birdwatching, not fishing.
TCA's on WMA's will be open. RVR's main boat ramp is closed. It is owned by NJDF&W, but is not an official WMA. I imagine they closed it because it attracts not only boat and shore anglers, but many others.

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by Rich_S

I'm not asking for anyone to give up their spots, but is there a list of trout stocked waters that are accessible by residential street parking and don't require crossing a state/county park or private land? It would be nice if the NJDFW website had a list of "here's where you're actually allowed to fish", not just for informational purposes but also to print out for when the gestapo shows up.

Hi Rich, I see that you have been a member of this board for a few years, yet you have only posted a few threads or responses. This must be very important to you so you deserve a response.

The major trout streams are usually near a major highway. The Pequest River flows alongside Route 46 for quite a distance. The Musconetcong runs along Rout 57. The South Branch runs through many communities along many County and State roads including Route 31.

I guess what I'm saying is that there are many places to trout fish that are easily accessible. A Google map of the area that interests you is an asset. The NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife Freshwater Digest lists all of the trout stocked waters. You can go to their website for more information about other places that are stocked with other warm water fish.

As you drive along any of the roads that are adjacent to a river, stream, brook or pond or lake, look for the Trout Stocked Waters posters that indicated an access point to trout fishing. When you see a sign, it's most likely that trout were stocked there.

Don't overlook any bridge that crosses a trout stocked area. The bridges are good starting points if you don't know the area. You can take it from there. You'd be surprised at the number of stocked areas that go unnoticed, are seldom crowded and often filled with trout.

[DanH]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

WMA's remain open. I just came back from one,.....birdwatching, not fishing.
TCA's on WMA's will be open. RVR's main boat ramp is closed. It is owned by NJDF&W, but is not an official WMA. I imagine they closed it because it attracts not only boat and shore anglers, but many others.

Thanks Mark!
On a different topic, do you ever hear any Rooster Pheasant crowing in the spring while you are bird watching? We have been keeping a record of this for years.