State Parks and Forests Are Now Closed

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

this is going to even further concentrate fisherman. my guess is WMA's will be next.

Looks likes Monksville, Swartswood, Jefferson Lake, Cranberry Lake, D&R Canal, Hopatcong, Aeroflex, Round Valley, Spruce Run are all affected.

Full List
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksand...parkindex.html

I don't see anything about Fish and Wildlife Management Areas being affected. Some of the lakes have ramps that are operated by the State. Some of the reservoirs are privately owned and operated. I'm not sure if an area that is listed as a "recreation area" is considered a state park.

In any case, fishermen should check before they go to a place that might be closed.

[EJS]

Let the fun begin!

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

I'm not sure if an area that is listed as a "recreation area" is considered a state park.

Just spoke with the Park service and the recreation areas are closed as well.

[Hookmanski]

Lots and lots of people out there fishing cause there wasn't much else to do, it was only a matter of time...

Hopefully all this is over soon.

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by Hookmanski

Lots and lots of people out there fishing cause there wasn't much else to do, it was only a matter of time...

Hopefully all this is over soon.

I doubt it was people fishing. The parks were being used by people to gather and have social events. That became evident by the uptick in trash that was being left behind.

[logs22]

This really pisses me off! I keep my boat at Spruce Run and now I cannot even access it let alone partake in one of the few pleasures left to me during this sh*t situation!? Why close some of the largest open spaces left where people could still go and enjoy the outdoors while maintaining proper ‘social distancing’!? I can understand closing some smaller county parks but closing state parks such as Spruce Run and Round Valley is just stupid in my oppinion. Maybe they should have given some thought before issuing this order so that only those parks likely to encourage people to congregate were closed. Instead the state was just lazy and said f’ it, close them all.

[logs22]

Just received this email from Spruce Run:



How nice of them to give me until 7 pm on a workday to get my boat out of the park or else lose access to it ‘for an unknown amount of time.’ Grrrr...

[Billfish715]

Let's see now...... I can go to a supermarket a pharmacy, a Walmart, a convenience store, a drive thru, a gas station and similar places but I can't go to a park. The employees at any of these businesses are at more risk of infection than 100 people walking in a park or fishing along the shoreline of a lake or park.

People waiting in line at a Costco is more than the number of people waiting to launch their boats. Yet, the Costco or Walmart is open and the boat ramp is closed. It is ridiculous. The governor is being given information but not thinking it out very well. As a result, he puts his head in the sand and gives a blanket edict that does not allow for any exceptions. One size fits all.

[Billfish715]

Yeah, it's me again........now, the county parks are closing. In some towns, the local parks are closing tonight as well. So, if you live in Union County, for example, where do you go trout fishing that is not a part of some park system? This really complicates things more. Lots of county parks are stocked with trout. If the local parks close down, those who want to fish will crowd into the remaining open waters thereby increasing the number of fishermen and decreasing the available space to fish. This defeats the purpose. Doesn't it? How long will it be before this "non fisherman/sportsman" closes down all fishing? It's getting to be like a scene out of Deliverence. It's scary.

[bigfishy]

Just one step closer to martial law🤫