looking for shore fishing spots in Northern NJ

[njitgrad]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

Scarlet Oak Pond in the Ramapo Reservation has very decent shore access and about the best bass fishing you'll find for public, heavy-pressured waters in northern NJ. I've caught some big fish out of there.

I would just go as early as possible as the park gets busy (mostly with walkers and hikers) in the later morning. There are two other lakes in the reservation...one is a short hike up the trail (Bear Pond or something). You can see where they are on the map of the park in the parking lot. Never been to the third.

Also, Ramapo Lake on Skyline Dr. is an awesome place to fish. More pickerel than bass, but there are some nice bass. It's about a 20-minute hike up to the lake from the parking area, but then there is a trail that goes around the hole lake with lots of shore access along the way. Some very cool spots to hang out and fish. Very pretty up there. Once again, the earlier the better as it gets busy with hikers and bikers.

I've fished for trout in the Ramapo River in the reserveration but never the adjacent Scarlet Oak Pond. May give it a shot.

So access to Ramapo Lake is a 20-minute hike? Is it well marked from the parking lot down to the lake?

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by njitgrad

I've fished for trout in the Ramapo River in the reserveration but never the adjacent Scarlet Oak Pond. May give it a shot.

So access to Ramapo Lake is a 20-minute hike? Is it well marked from the parking lot down to the lake?

It is a very well marked and obvious trail to Ramapo Lake. Follow the blue blazes from the lower Skyline Drive parking (Known on maps as MacEvoy Trail).