Open Water Thread.....

[catfishonthelake]

Would it be premature, optimistic or inappropriate to start and open water thread? I know it's been cold the last couple nights and going back down after the two-day warm-up, but if anyone spots a place to launch a boat (like the State Park or Lee's a LH or damn even the launch cove at Round Valley...can you give a holler?

[JimmyL]

Round Valley is open water. Stopped at the south lot yesterday.

[catfishonthelake]

Cool thx man. I may launch there next week. Not a trout fisherman just want to test some new electronics.

[AndyS]

Rivers: North, South and main stem Raritan wide open and ready to be fished !!

[mike.latham11]

there's a south lot at RV? I thought the only access was the boat and kayak launch by the rec area.

[JimmyL]

there's a south lot at RV? I thought the only access was the boat and kayak launch by the rec area.

There's a south lot. It's down the road from the boat launch.
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/docs/round%20valley%20area%20map.pdf

[catfishonthelake]

Rivers: North, South and main stem Raritan wide open and ready to be fished !!

Can I put a 14-foot aluminum V-hull in there? Are they electric only and if not, is there a horsepower limit? Where are the launches? Are there muskies in there?

[catfishonthelake]

There's a south lot. It's down the road from the boat launch.
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/docs/round%20valley%20area%20map.pdf

Is that what they call Ranger Cove?

[Hookmanski]

Can I put a 14-foot aluminum V-hull in there? Are they electric only and if not, is there a horsepower limit? Where are the launches? Are there muskies in there?

9.9 HP limit on gas motors i believe, main launch is near the kayak launch. I don't believe it has any Musky, but that place is enormous so who knows!

[catfishonthelake]

9.9 HP limit on gas motors i believe, main launch is near the kayak launch. I don't believe it has any Musky, but that place is enormous so who knows!

Familiar with RVR...I was replying to the quirky Raritan River cheerleader.

[JimmyL]

Is that what they call Ranger Cove?

I'm not sure. Hardly fish there.

[Hookmanski]

Familiar with RVR...I was replying to the quirky Raritan River cheerleader.

LOL woops! :D dont mind me!

Also, I believe the south lot referred to earlier is known as "Ranger Cove".

[FASTEDDIE29]

I would launch at Merrill creek! Give that FF a good test run on a very dynamic reservoir. Bait balls, suspended fish, drop offs, humps, depth. That place has it all. Well not Musky, LOL! South side of Monks might be open!!!

[ALS Mako]

Delaware is wide open. From the gap to belvedere at least. No ice what so ever and the flow was good as well. And there are muskie in there as well.

[Jigman13]

All the water I've seen in Middlesex county is wide open so I assume manasquan res, Carnegie and Mercer lake are all open.

[catfishonthelake]

Delaware is wide open. From the gap to belvedere at least. No ice what so ever and the flow was good as well. And there are muskie in there as well.

Sold thanks man appreciate the info.

If anyone passes by and that changes before next Wed can you update plz?

[Hookmanski]

I would launch at Merrill creek! Give that FF a good test run on a very dynamic reservoir. Bait balls, suspended fish, drop offs, humps, depth. That place has it all. Well not Musky, LOL! South side of Monks might be open!!!

I'm launching the Yak there ASAP!! Haven't fished it before, sounds like a dream place to throw a deadly nedly around :D

[reason162]

I'm launching the Yak there ASAP!! Haven't fished it before, sounds like a dream place to throw a deadly nedly around :D

I know I sound like a broken record on this, but you need dry gear until water temps come up. Follow the 120 rule: water + air temps = 120, anything less and drysuit/wetsuit/waders+drytop.

MC stays cold a lot longer than the lower lakes, and the wind there can pick up out of nowhere.

[The Hunter]

Just got home from a hike at Merrill Creek with the dog. Launch is locked up in ice. Will be a while before any launching taking place!!! Stay safe