NJ Landlock Record

[Billfish715]

I saw this picture in a Facebook post. I understand that it being considered as a new state record landlock salmon. I don't know the backstory but Wow, that is one heck-of-a fish. For it to have been caught in NJ is even more impressive.

Kudos to the angler and to the NJDFW for their stocking program and visionary plans.

[dakota560]

Absolutely beautiful fish! Like I posted in the other thread, won't be long before a 15 lb. is caught in NJ. Don't know how big that fish is but it's a beast. Had one last year that jumped clear of the water when it hit, had him half way in and like nothing he peeled 50-60 ft of line in about 5 seconds and got me wrapped around something on the bottom. These fish are eating machines, stong as they come with that large tail and have significant growth rates in deep cold water lakes with sufficient forage.

Exactly why in my opinion, and I know there's people who don't agree with this, in the three bodies of water other than Merrill with a 12" size minimum it should be changed to either 15" like Merrill or all 4 impoundments increased to 17". This fishery if managed properly could become the best trophy fishery in the state.

Congrats to the angler on truly a catch of a lifetime!

[bulletbob]

wow, thats a 10+ fish by the look of it.
Even up here in our massive 40 mile long lakes, that is a once in a lifetime trophy.
My best is maybe 9 pounds and it was smaller than this one.
Thats an old male, and I have NO idea how it survived to get to that size in the high pressure small waters of NJ... Kudo's to the NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife.. What they have done with the limited fresh water resources they work with in NJ is just beyond amazing.

[Jigman13]

What lake was that caught? Theyll get gargantuan in Merrill.

[dakota560]

MC

[bigfishy]

Gr8 catch being a record!! Cant tell how big really...tail doesn't look huge compared to his fingers...if its pushed out further it could pass fer 12lb..I'll say 7-8ish maybe...not knowing at all what the record was

[Wilson]

This is the CURRENT record.


The New Jersey DFW has certified the catch of a new state record freshwater fish! This Landlocked Salmon replaced a record which stood for 67 years and is the first record salmon since stocking began in 2006.

Runelvy Rodriguez of Northvale, New Jersey, reeled in the record Landlocked Salmon on June 2, 2018. The fish weighed in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces, eclipsing the previous state record of 8 pounds set in 1951! The fish measured 25.75″ in length and had a girth of 15″. Runelevy was fishing off a boat on Lake Aeroflex when she reeled in the fish. The fish hit while Runelevy was trolling. She was using an Okuma rod and reel. A spoon served as the lure.

[Jigman13]

Didn't they just start LL stocking in MC like 3 or 4 yrs ago? That's a terrifying growth rate lol. Mahi-like.

[dakota560]

Correct MC was the last of the four added to the program and stocking started 3-4 years ago......supposedly. They're absolutely a gorgeous fish. Tremendous fishery, kudos to F&G for developing it.

[bigfishy]

Didn't they just start LL stocking in MC like 3 or 4 yrs ago? That's a terrifying growth rate lol. Mahi-like.

My thoughts exactly....those of us that fish it know when they started stocking and have caught some every season and seen the growth rate.....maybe they put a few in that started at 20+".... only the stockers know

[Billfish715]

It’s always a possibility that a few larger fish were stocked. My interest is in any population surveys that might indicate any natural reproduction in any of those impoundments. Does anyone have any information?

[Billfish715]

This is the CURRENT record.


The New Jersey DFW has certified the catch of a new state record freshwater fish! This Landlocked Salmon replaced a record which stood for 67 years and is the first record salmon since stocking began in 2006.

Runelvy Rodriguez of Northvale, New Jersey, reeled in the record Landlocked Salmon on June 2, 2018. The fish weighed in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces, eclipsing the previous state record of 8 pounds set in 1951! The fish measured 25.75″ in length and had a girth of 15″. Runelevy was fishing off a boat on Lake Aeroflex when she reeled in the fish. The fish hit while Runelevy was trolling. She was using an Okuma rod and reel. A spoon served as the lure.
anglers.


This is what is posted under her picture. Notice where it was caught.
Runelvy Rodriguez landed an 8-pound, 5-ounce salmon in 2018 while fishing Lake Tilcon, breaking the longstanding New Jersey salmon record in place since 1951.

[dakota560]

Current state record was definitely taken from Aeroflex. As far as natural reproduction, I've seen small females cleaned on shore which were loaded with eggs. Landlocks need rivers and streams with gravel beds to spawn. Females start spawning anywhere between age 4-6. Gravel beds have to be loose enough to allow eggs to be buried 4-12 inches. Not sure that any of the four impoundments stocked in NJ have that type of habitat to support natural reproduction unfortunately. Would be awesome if they could.

[dakota560]

It’s always a possibility that a few larger fish were stocked. My interest is in any population surveys that might indicate any natural reproduction in any of those impoundments. Does anyone have any information?

To my knowledge Bill there's no information out there supporting natural reproduction with Atlantics taking place in this State. New England states, yes. New Jersey, none I'm aware of.

[Jigman13]

I'd be cautious about over stocking them. They thought lakers wouldnt reproduce and look what they did to round valley.

It's a nice novelty but it would royally suck to see alewife populations plummet in the lakes they're currently being stocked in.

Nature ultimately finds a way...

[reason162]

I'd be cautious about over stocking them. They thought lakers wouldnt reproduce and look what they did to round valley.

It's a nice novelty but it would royally suck to see alewife populations plummet in the lakes they're currently being stocked in.

Nature ultimately finds a way...

I am not a fan of the landlocks in certain fisheries. They definitely change the bass bite esp in the Summer/Fall, and esp on lakes that are balanced and healthy to begin with.

[fishingbuddies]

Holy cr@p! Makes my 1.5lb look like a minnow.

[Jigman13]

I am not a fan of the landlocks in certain fisheries. They definitely change the bass bite esp in the Summer/Fall, and esp on lakes that are balanced and healthy to begin with.

Interesting, Roger. I guess you've been sticking with the sweetwater, huh? Wheres the videos?!?! Emerge was epic!

[bulletbob]

They won't spawn...
They don't even reproduce in the huge lakes with large feeder streams we have here in NY...They won't reproduce in NJ either, no matter how excellent the spawning conditions might be, for the same reason as here,,, They eat landlocked alewives as their primary food source.. They contain something called thiaminase- which inhibits thiamine production which is essential to egg viability... Same thing happens to lake trout,, LOADED with dead eggs.. We get natural spawning lakers in the lakes without a lot of alewives up here.. Cayuga does have some reproduction of lakers but its only about 10%,,, The same thing that keeps these salmonids alive, kills their reproductive process.. Remember landlocks are a fish that are supposed to be anadromous fish that spawn in flowing clear cold well oxygenated waters,and then grow in marine environments with a widely varied diet. Lock them up in a lake where they swim in circles gorging on fatty easy to get alewives, and they become a very different fish, with different habits and health issues than they would have in a more suitable natural environment... They are always less strong and greasy tasting when eaten than the lakers, browns and rainbows they live alongside in these lakes....bob

[reason162]

Interesting, Roger. I guess you've been sticking with the sweetwater, huh? Wheres the videos?!?! Emerge was epic!

Haha thanks Jeremy!

I might drop a couple in the dead of winter...but man after the pressure I've seen this past year, not even sure about that haha - giving people ideas right now is a bad move!

[Flygaff]

What lake was that caught? Theyll get gargantuan in Merrill.

I was at Merrill Creek yesterday and the Ranger told me about the fish that was caught there

[Billfish715]

I was at Merrill Creek yesterday and the Ranger told me about the fish that was caught there

That’s one of the things that is so good about this site. The members are on point and keep things current and accurate. There are lots of things going on in the fishing world ( especially in NJ ) that would go unnoticed or unknown except for the information that is presented here.

[Billfish715]

This link has a lot of information about which to consider. One such nugget was the date when landlocked salmon were introduced into Merrill. Another is to note that there did not seem to be any breeder fish that were sent from Massachusetts along with the fry that were sent and are being raised here. So, if that fish was not a breeder when it was stocked, it really grew fast and big in a hurry. I think the salmon were not stocked into MC until 2018. Tilcon had bigger fish on average stocked there and sooner than at MC. That might be a real sleeper to watch. Of course, we never know how many of these put-and-take salmon are harvested and how much they have grown unless someone reports a trophy-sized one. Everyone is very tight lipped about how many salmon they have creeled.

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/salmon.htm

[Jigman13]

Haha thanks Jeremy!

I might drop a couple in the dead of winter...but man after the pressure I've seen this past year, not even sure about that haha - giving people ideas right now is a bad move!

I gotcha. That sucks. Everyone wants an internet hand out these days vs putting in the work!

[bulletbob]

They grow very quickly in lakes with a lot of alewives, and stay much smaller and skinnier in lakes without them, which is pretty much just common sense..

They are active all year unlike some other fish, and are chow hounds, and pack size and weight on quickly... Only problem I think NJ might have is sheer numbers... They can only take so much pressure as they are aggressive willing biters, and a LOT of them are cleaned out of lakes as soon as they reach legal size.. Up here a few 10 pounders are caught every year, but these lakes are huge, insanely deep, and the fish have a lot of room to avoid hooks...

The smaller, less deep easier to fish lakes in NJ will probably have a harder time getting the fish to trophy size simply because a lot of them will be eaten before they can grow to a trophy size.. Its only a general guideline but up here, the bigger and deeper the lake, the bigger the Landlocks get... bob

[go_fish]

I wonder if they could stock smelt in lakes with the landlocks? Maybe this would be a bad idea?

[Jigman13]

I wonder if they could stock smelt in lakes with the landlocks? Maybe this would be a bad idea?

Introducing more fish into a body of water to supplement an introduced predatory species should analyzed with EXTREME caution. Last thing you want is a collapse in the already established species b/c the bait you've introduced found smallmouth and largemouth bass eggs very, very tasty.

[bulletbob]

Introducing more fish into a body of water to supplement an introduced predatory species should analyzed with EXTREME caution. Last thing you want is a collapse in the already established species b/c the bait you've introduced found smallmouth and largemouth bass eggs very, very tasty.

They would be badly out maneuvered by the Alewives.
They don't mix well when landlocked, and the Smelt fry are devoured en masse by the Alewives/Herring/Sawbellies.. Wherever Alwives become established in a landlocked environment, the have the potential to out compete everything else that lives there, and only free roaming and voracious predators keep the numbers down... Problem is, if the alewives collapse the predators do as well.... They are a boon and a curse depending on who you ask and when you ask it...

[dakota560]

I'm sure NJFG is well aware of what's happening in this fishery. The assumption they made in Round Valley that lake trout weren't reproducing in my opinion won't be repeated with Atlantics. The reproduction process of a lake trout and Atlantic Salmon is completely different and lack of habitat alone will prevent natural reproduction. There's no proof Atlantics will spawn in any of these bodies of water and if what Bob mentioned about Thiaminase is true and prevents eggs from being fertile, there's zero chance for reproduction in addition to the habitat issue mentioned. Just a side note, Thiaminase from the consumption of herring is what caused the huge Steelhead die off 5-6 years back in lake Ontario, it effects trout very differently than salmon.

Last Fall, the four impoundments received in total 4,325 salmon. 2,100 went in Wawayanda alone leaving a combined 2,200 for Tilcon, Aeroflex and Merrill. Aeroflex got 800, Tilcon about 750 and MC 650. At a 2 bag limit of 12" in all three and 15" at Merrill, most of these fish get taken out in a hurry. Especially in years with safe ice, they get pounded through the ice. Go to anyone and see how many get taken out on stringers. Most guys fishing for these atlantics drift herring, many fish are gut hooked and won't survive the release. Then factor in natural mortality. I've spoken to more than a half dozen people who caught large pickerel and or bass with small Atlantics sticking out of their mouth when they landed them.

Don't think the numbers we're talking about will have an impact whatsoever in any of the four impoundments involved considering the numbers stocked and size limits in place. Either way I'm sure NJFG is all over this and well aware of the balance needed in these bodies of water. I for one hope they continue this program with the proper checks and balances and trophy Atlantics become a part of the diverse fisheries we have in the state.

[reason162]

At a 2 bag limit of 12" in all three and 15" at Merrill, most of these fish get taken out in a hurry.

At least at one of these lakes I see no one taking salmon, in fact everyone I talk to/interact with on the water releases salmon bc of the perceived rarity etc.

If the salmon are largely catch/release, then whether they spawn becomes a moot point - hundreds stocked each year adds up. I can tell you the first year I never saw a salmon while bass fishing, 2nd year I caught 3, but the last 2 years...they were a pretty regular bycatch. And when the water temps fall in Sept/Oct/Nov, the bass start slowing down, while the salmon are operating at peak energy breaking up the herring schools. This definitely has changed the Fall patterns for bass, and I have my doubts as to the DEP holding a crystal ball on the future for some of these lakes, esp the one the state record came out of - it's about as healthy and balanced a fishery we have in NJ...I see no reason to f with it lol.

Having said all that, I still release the salmon I catch - they are very cool fish indeed.

https://i.imgur.com/WsC5x18.png

[Esox Luciano]

https://i.imgur.com/WsC5x18.png

That's a nice one too! Props for the release👊.

[Jigman13]

Thats a DOPE pic Roger.

[dakota560]

At least at one of these lakes I see no one taking salmon, in fact everyone I talk to/interact with on the water releases salmon bc of the perceived rarity etc.

If the salmon are largely catch/release, then whether they spawn becomes a moot point - hundreds stocked each year adds up. I can tell you the first year I never saw a salmon while bass fishing, 2nd year I caught 3, but the last 2 years...they were a pretty regular bycatch. And when the water temps fall in Sept/Oct/Nov, the bass start slowing down, while the salmon are operating at peak energy breaking up the herring schools. This definitely has changed the Fall patterns for bass, and I have my doubts as to the DEP holding a crystal ball on the future for some of these lakes, esp the one the state record came out of - it's about as healthy and balanced a fishery we have in NJ...I see no reason to f with it lol.



You're catching more because they're stocking more when they introduced the fall stocking program in 2018 the result of discontinuing raising Lake Trout for Merrill Creek due to natural reproduction occurring there and dedicating that space at the hatchery to rear more Atlantics.

This isn't a new fishery, Wawayanda and Aeroflex have been stocked since 2006. Tilcon was added to the program in 2014 and Merrill in 2018. Have the indigenous or existing species in any of these impoundments been decimated?

We live in a state with arguably one of the most diverse and successful fisheries management programs in the country. Have some faith, NJ has a proven track record. Aeroflex has been stocked with Atlantics for 15 years so they've been part of that healthy and well balanced fishery you refer to. Don't think there's any reason or known adverse effects at this point to sound an alarm.

[reason162]

YThis isn't a new fishery, Wawayanda and Aeroflex have been stocked since 2006. Tilcon was added to the program in 2014

None of those lakes have smallies. They are going after the same forage. And if you talk to people who fished Tilcon since before the salmon stocking, that lake is a dramatically different bass fishery since.

For the most part lakers and smallies attack herring at different depths, but not so salmon, which can feed down 50ft one second and up on top the next. With lakers we got lucky and they found a balance at MC - with salmon, who knows.

Between the insane pressure from covid and social media spot burning anything and everything, I think NJ was too hasty with the MC decision. Then again this is speaking as a bass guy...I really couldn't care less about stocked salmon or trout.

[dakota560]

Roger I've heard the same regarding a drop off in bass but not convinced it's due to the introduction of landlocks. There's a ton of herring in that lake, can see the massive schools on your recorder or even fishing from shore.

For the last few years, we've had safe ice during the winter. What impact is the bucket brigade having on the bass population during the winter. At the same time, CO's have been trying to catch a group of idiots cast netting fish the last few years, including bass, from shore and last I've heard they haven't been successful. What's that impact?

My point with Tilcon is the fall off in bass in my opinion isn't due to lack of herring which is hugely abundant and I doubt landlocks are eating the bass or fry. As you said, they're keyed in on herring. That lake up until some years ago was never fished, now as mentioned with social media it's a zoo. During winters with safe ice there'll be 60 guys ice fishing it on the weekend. Lot of landlocks taken and have seen a lot of bass on stringers coming out of there as well. You can't have that kind of pressure on a relatively small body of water and think it won't have consequences. Are landlocks contributing, I can't say definitively yes or no but don't think they're the problem. I think a substantial increase in fishing pressure is.

[Billfish715]

Round Valley was supposed to be managed for smallmouth bass and Spruce Run was to be a largemouth impoundment. When brown and rainbow trout were stocked in RV, they were the fish of choice. The lines of fishermen at the local bait shop in the early morning hours was always a long one with guys waiting to buy dozens of herring to use for trout. The reservoir was stocked on a weekly basis as well as supplemented with private fish. The fishery grew despite the pressure but also because of the regular stockings and the abundance of herring present. No one ever really talked of the smallmouth fishing.

The shoreline changed over the years as the old hedgerows and trees disappeared and the banks eroded leaving more silt along the edges. As the reservoir matured, some of its features changed and so did the fishing. The addition of a new fishery with the stocking of lake trout was met with great promises but was also met with great disappointment for those who pursued trophy brown trout. All was fine and then the major forage base declined as the lakers took over. While the scuds were still providing some protein, the dwindling herring population could not sustain both a trophy brown trout and lake trout fishery.

The introduction of more species of fish into Spruce Run changed the focus to those new species and away from what was an interesting fishery for trout that would enter two of the creeks that spilled into the reservoir. There was great hope for that fishery especially in the beginning when the reservoir was first being filled. Browns and rainbows actually did congregate at the mouths of the creeks and were pounced on by many fishermen from both the banks and boats. Again, those hopes faded as the reservoir was prone to water drawdowns and temperature rises.

The addition of the warmwater species is actually a rather successful venture in Spruce Run. One can only hope the lessons learned from the experiments at Spruce Run and Round Valley will help avoid any disastrous results in the future fishing at the newer, state run impoundments. Natural forage is a big concern in the growth of the fish but, since there is no natural reproduction of the trout, we have to hope the state can continue to raise enough of them to maintain a viable fishery. It would also help to continue to raise larger fish and maintain creel limits that will not quickly deplete the population.

[bulletbob]

I for one can se no reason at all why LL salmon would have such a large detrimental affect on a bass population..

The salmon typically follow their food... In summer when the alewives are deep so are the salmon not far from them.. They suspend and typically keep moving,, LMB on the other hand don't stay suspended and deep the way salmonids do.. They WILL do it, and have been caught relating to bait in deep colder water, but its far less typical, and on most lakes most often, black bass will typically be relating to structure or vegetation as their main mode of survival..There are always bass in shallow water on structure and in normal habitat in deep lakes with alewife populations.. there are never LLS in shallow water in those lakes during warm weather.. They will always be close to or just above then thermocline not far from the alewives... Yes black bass can and will eat alewives if they can catch them, but they are not all in deep water mid lake in the thermocline following them around the way salmonids do...

Catch a LLS in a lake with alewives, and 95 % of the time, it will have alewives in its gut when you clean it.

In the same lake a LMB would have crayfish, small sunfish,perch, small minnow type fish or baby LMB in its gut... Salmon do not eat LMB eggs or raid their nests, so I am not real sure why a LMB population would fall by the introduction of LMB... They just don't compete for the same space or the same food all that much... Main problem in NJ has to be the same one we face up here.. Too much human predation/interaction..
We too have had black bass decimated in lakes containing salmon, but it was not the salmon that caused it, its the hundreds of tournaments that are never ending on all these lakes, leaving masses of dead fish behind at the weigh in locations...bob

[reason162]

so I am not real sure why a LMB population would fall by the introduction of LMB... They just don't compete for the same space or the same food all that much...

In herring lakes LMB can and do rely heavily on herring as forage, until they reach about +/- 4lbs - then they're a little too slow to chase them down in open water, but will always key in on herring when the schools get pushed against an edge.

But I'm talking about SMB - which in many of these herring lakes are basically pelagic chasing herring outside of the spawn cycle. If you're imitating a herring and fishing for SMB, you're catching salmon.

[NJSquatch]

But I'm talking about SMB - which in many of these herring lakes are basically pelagic chasing herring outside of the spawn cycle. If you're imitating a herring and fishing for SMB, you're catching salmon.

Agree with Roger here. The SMB fishing has definitely changed at MCR since the introduction of the LL salmon. You used to be able to troll SMB with consistent results. Haven't had anywhere near the success since 2018 when the LL were first stocked.

I don't think the SMB have disappeared but have been displaced and are no longer pelagic chasing the herring.

Congrats to the angler on one hell of a catch. That is an amazing grow rate for < 3 years.

[dakota560]

Not arguing anyone's positions, think this is a productive thread. That said, read the article in the attached link, would appear at least in this case the opposite is happening. Small mouths are pushing landlocks out. It's a recent article written March 17, 2020.

https://www.asf.ca/news-and-magazine/salmon-news/invasive-species-smallmouth-bass

The article is about a system in New Brunswick so I'm guessing the forage fish might be smelts as opposed to alewives which seems the case in most New England / northern lakes. If so, maybe the interaction and staging of different forage fish or water temperatures has something to do with the balance or dynamics of both fisheries.

Going to see what I can find on Sebago Lake in Maine and some other lakes in New England closer to New Jersey. Fished Sebago as a kid and it was and believe still is one of the best small mouth lakes in the country. If I find anything, I'll post it.

[dakota560]

Another article regarding Maine which includes Sebago Lake, Moosehead, Penobscot and Kennebec River systems, some of the most productive bodies of water in Maine, have been over run by invasive smallmouths. Again maybe temperature or other variables factor in to the balance of these fisheries or food chain, but at least in these two cases small mouths are not just holding on they're thriving.

https://bangordailynews.com/2021/01/12/outdoors/nonnative-fish-are-taking-over-maines-lakes-and-rivers/

This article is from January 2021, so a recent article which categorizes the proliferation of invasive species including the small mouth as epidemic. The fisheries bearing the consequences are the fabled trout and landlocked fisheries Maine has been known for for years.

[dakota560]

One more generic article about small mouths. They seem like a very capable species with a wide range of diet which changes with age. Main diet of older fish are crayfish and anything else they can get their mouths on while younger juvenile fish favor zooplankton and insects. There is definitely more articles indicating them taking over a system once introduced intentionally or not as opposed to being pushed out by other species.

https://www.coastalaction.org/smallmouth-bass-facts.html

Again maybe there's other factors at play regarding habitat, water temperature, water depth, forage availability etc., but I know in New England states they have lakes with fantastic small mouth and landlocked fishing which for some reason have struck the right balance. I believe New England states stock a significant amount of smelts annually so the amount of available forage certainly factors into this discussion. When you see pictures of the few large landlocks posted here and other fish I've seen landed, it certainly doesn't seem like lack of forage is an issue.

[NJSquatch]

The Salmon weighed 8.62 pounds. Taking the old record by ~ 5 ounces.

[Jigman13]

There goes the neighborhood!

[reason162]

There goes the neighborhood!

I'm very happy for Joe, we've talked and fished next to each other numerous times - absolute gentleman and obviously a hell of an angler.

But goddamn I wish he caught that anywhere but there lol

[reason162]

One more generic article about small mouths.

Those are interesting cases but all I'm saying is this - that lake produces by far the best quality SMB in the state, numbers and size - no where else even comes close. Bonus for them being pelagic so you can't just beat the bank and catch outside of prespawn/spawn. The patterns are changing since they started stocking landlocks, that is just a fact that those of us who chase these fish are well aware of.

What that means long term...who knows. But I don't think the state knows either. Which is my point all along - you have a trophy SMB and laker fishery established, I see no reason to f with it at all.

[Chrisper4694]

Those are interesting cases but all I'm saying is this - that lake produces by far the best quality SMB in the state, numbers and size - no where else even comes close. Bonus for them being pelagic so you can't just beat the bank and catch outside of prespawn/spawn. The patterns are changing since they started stocking landlocks, that is just a fact that those of us who chase these fish are well aware of.

What that means long term...who knows. But I don't think the state knows either. Which is my point all along - you have a trophy SMB and laker fishery established, I see no reason to f with it at all.

don't worry dude, most people are terrible anglers and give up quickly. I was there this past sunday on the most perfect weather day and there was 3 boats there. same thing always happens. a few crappy fishermen try to chase reports and then give up instantly when they realize they suck haha.

[bulletbob]

In herring lakes LMB can and do rely heavily on herring as forage, until they reach about +/- 4lbs - then they're a little too slow to chase them down in open water, but will always key in on herring when the schools get pushed against an edge.

But I'm talking about SMB - which in many of these herring lakes are basically pelagic chasing herring outside of the spawn cycle. If you're imitating a herring and fishing for SMB, you're catching salmon.

Look, maybe bass and salmon interact differently in the small lakes in NJ.. I can only go by what I have found in 30 years of fishing lakes that have both species.. Some Black Bass will suspend and will eat alewives.. However, that is NOT the normal, everyday habit of all black bass.. The will relate to structure, and they are always in "normal" habitat at least some of the time.. Otherwise guys would be catching them constantly trolling say 25 feet down over 50 FOW.. Yes some are caught, but most anglers are kind of surprised when they catch a LMB mid lake suspended..

I don't eat many bass, but will take and eat a couple a season.. In 30 years of fishing I can't recall ever cleaning a bass, large or smallmouth with an alewife in its gut in the lakes that are loaded with them ... Small sunnies, perch, crayfish, madtoms, sculpins, various, dace, shiners etc always in any I have cleaned... As I said, the size of the lakes may have something to do with it, so I won't totally disagree, but I personally don't see how smb can ruin a LL salmon fishery, unless there is nothing at all for the bass to eat.. No crayfish, aquatic insect larvae, minnows, young perch, madtoms, dace etc... I'm no longer in NJ and will always defer to those that are on top of the fishery. Just surprises me is all... bob

[AndyS]

don't worry dude, most people are terrible anglers and give up quickly. I was there this past sunday on the most perfect weather day and there was 3 boats there. same thing always happens. a few crappy fishermen try to chase reports and then give up instantly when they realize they suck haha.

Used to love watching people at Round Valley back in the day, flying from one end of the lake to the other looking at the fish finder for "readings" don't think they even wet a line !!!

[tradingfrank27]

Panoptix wins, like it or not

[Flygaff]

I have fish Merrill for the first time this year. I have been there 5 times so far. I just love the place. I have caught largemouth and Smallmouth in the 4 lb range on every trip. to top it off I just caught my first ever Salmon the other day. 20 inches. I can't wait to go back. Live herring seems to work.

[NJSquatch]

official announcement...

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/news/2021/record_salmon21.htm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

https://i.postimg.cc/mZSt4dSV/salmon-Record.jpg

[Jigman13]

That fish grew a foot in 3 years or less... thats batshit lol

[dakota560]

Not just the length it grew, the increase in girth is impressive in 3 - 4 years time.

[bigfishy]

Had to be a few 16-18"ers in the mix when stocked...nonetheless, impressive!!! Wonder what he was castin??

[Chrisper4694]

Had to be a few 16-18"ers in the mix when stocked...nonetheless, impressive!!! Wonder what he was castin??

Those spoons that are shaped like penises

[bigfishy]

Those spoons that are shaped like penises

Lol...or the coors or bud beer spoon😂

[phil]

Those spoons that are shaped like penises

those things always appear when im trolling amazon. i dont know if its because amazon think i like penises, or fishing.

[Chrisper4694]

those things always appear when im trolling amazon. i dont know if its because amazon think i like penises, or fishing.

i heard you like both....

[Jigman13]

this thread took a hard left...

[NJSquatch]

this thread took a hard left...

Pun intended?

[Wilson]

Pun intended?

No, Peyronie's

[reason162]

this thread took a hard left...

For fffffsake let it die!! :)