D&R Canal Muskies?

[Skunk City]

Got the week off from work next week and looking to try some new waters. On my list of potential destinations is the D&R Canal. Target species would be the elusive Esox. I know the canal is stocked every year with them, but being that it is a pretty long stretch of water, any areas known to produce these toothy critters more than others? I will be in the kayak, so spot access won't be an issue. Any info is welcomed by this North Jersey boy leaving his comfort zone lol. As always, PMs work well. Thanks guys.

[catfishonthelake]

PM sent Rob.

[Gatto1227]

Never had any muskie encounters on the canal and that used to be the only place I fished. Plenty of pickerel but no muskie. But hey you were 1 for 1 on the raritan so who knows lol. They are supposedly in there.

[NJD Bassman]

Hey skunk. You should check this out. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fish_muskie.htm
At the bottom has a map of where they stock and you can also see how many they have been putting in the past 5 or so yrs. They have been stocking them in what's called the "10 mile stretch". I know they also have stocked tigers into the canal, off of amwell rd, but I haven't heard of anyone catching one. I know cause I happened to be walking back to my car n fish & game where dumping them in. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fish_tigers.htm . They didn't put many in but the average length was 20inches last year. Also the millstone river runs along side part of the canal and is stocked with pike. You kill it on the PR, so maybe you would have some better luck finding them, though I think it might be easier finding Bigfoot than a millstone pike

[Almaink]

This past spring while trout fishing in the D&R feeder canal in West Trenton I noticed a large wake moving upstream along the bank towards me. It looked like an alligator's wake from a distance, and I was trying to figure out what it was. I didn't take long to find out though as it swam right by me and I was shocked to see it was a huge Musky! All I had was a UL trout rod with 4# test with a night crawler, I tossed it at him just to see what he would do and he made a move for it but missed, then he kept on going upstream under the bridge. I'd guess he was at lest 4 feet long maybe bigger hard to tell because it happen so quick. I'd heard stories about huge Muskies in there feeding on the stocked trout but this was the first time I ever saw one up close and personal. I know one thing, if you hooked into one of these in the canal you better have heavy line and a stoat pole! I've caught some large carp in there that without help I would never have been able to pull out because of the steepness of the banks. Good luck in your search.

[Fishinfire]

Although not plentiful, they are there. I got a small tiger in early spring and a decent full strain on fathers day this year. But were not being targeted specifically. Was actually LM Bass fishing those days. Full strain was caught in Somerset and the Tiger was caught in South Bound Brook. Both from shore. Was out in the kayak yesterday and the submerged weed beds are in full swing.

Good luck and tight lines to ya!