Merill creek new hours??

[Mikey topaz]

Heard through the grapevine merill will be changing hours of operation. 7 am gates open off the water before 4. I heard this from a good source and is being voted on and put in effect come April 1st if passed…. Anyone hear the same?

[AndyS]

I wouldn't doubt it. The line getting in will be past the gate at 7am on the weekends.

[Jigman13]

That's god awful... that's manasquan reservoir hours...

[Hookmanski]

Doesn't make a lot of sense to me......

[FASTEDDIE29]

That is ridiculous. Definitely a huge turn off to the guys that wake up early and get after it. :confused:

[NJSquatch]

Wow. That is terrible.

[Chrisper4694]

Wtf is this??? They've had the 4pm sign up never changed it since 4:30 sunset so I've just ignored it nobody said anything so far.... who's voting on this? We need to stop this bs. State stocked and now closed to fishing during peak fishing times? Hell no we need info on this fast!

[XXlyakattacker]

Is there ant way we could influence this vote? Going to be tough runing a tourney there when they wont let you in for the first hour and the lake is only open 9 hrs.

[AndyS]

It's owned by the power company, not the State.

[Chrisper4694]

It's owned by the power company, not the State.

doesn't matter.... they "own" this nature preserve only based on whatever deal they have with the state. I don't know all the details but this deal includes public access and state stocking of fish for angling at the very least. closing the park permanently that early is unacceptable. it would eliminate some of the best times to fish and hike etc. we are already restricted enough and we won't take this sitting down.

there is no mention of this on their website which means they do not want anyone to know about it and that means it can be stopped if we fire up enough people; which is exactly what we are going to do. working on getting the details now and alerting people.

[Chrisper4694]

Is there ant way we could influence this vote? Going to be tough runing a tourney there when they wont let you in for the first hour and the lake is only open 9 hrs.

get as much info as you can on this, that is what we are trying to figure out.... like who the hell is voting on this? not the people using the park that's for sure. i want to know who's voting for this so i know who to hold responsible.

[Jigman13]

I found zero info online after a 90 min search last night. And I work in digital media... I know how to find things lol. It's either not publicly posted online, or it's buried under different keywords.

[Mark B.]

Regional Biologist Ross Shramko should know:

ross.shramko@dep.nj.gov

[reason162]

Is there ant way we could influence this vote? Going to be tough runing a tourney there when they wont let you in for the first hour and the lake is only open 9 hrs.

That would be the only silver lining to this BS - no more tournaments during the hottest months of the year.

[Chrisper4694]

That would be the only silver lining to this BS - no more tournaments during the hottest months of the year.

There is no silver lining. No further restrictions are acceptable

[bulletbob]

First off, its a reservoir.. Not all of those are open to the public..
Second, its privately held and maintained..

The owners are known as the Merrill Creek Owners Group- Public Service Electric and Gas, which built the reservoir for the group; Jersey Central Power and Light, Atlantic City Electric, Metropolitan Edison, Philadelphia Electric, PPL Corporation, and Delmarva Power and Light.
Sad to say, but they can pretty much dictate as they please, and can probably just as easily shut it down to all public access if they wanted to... State might not stock it any longer, but the fish already there would do very well, with no fishing pressure at all...Thats the way things work unfortunately.. They don't need fishermen, and most likely would be happier without them... bob

[NJSquatch]

There was more than likely an eminent domain taking of the properties to build the reservoir. As a condition of the taking I bet they have to provide public access. To what extent is not known.

This is what happened in Ringwood with the creation of monksville.

And this is not a drinking water reservoir it’s sole purpose is to provide water to the Delaware in low flow conditions.

[bigfishy]

Is it possible the OP is trolling?pun intended...i mean he hasnt publicly revealed his source?

[reason162]

There is no silver lining. No further restrictions are acceptable

If the rumors are true, and if a 7-4 schedule actually puts an end to these rinky dink tournaments in any of our small lakes, that's a plus in my book - but we don't have to agree lol.

[NJSquatch]

Is it possible the OP is trolling?pun intended...i mean he hasnt publicly revealed his source?

I have contacted MCR inquiring about the change and haven't gotten a response which makes me suspicious.

[RWole]

Not being able to have tournaments is not a the priority, adequate access and time to fish is.

[bigfishy]

Not being able to have tournaments is not a the priority, adequate access and time to fish is.

While i agree with you very much, tell that to the 50 boats that show up for every tourney....

[Chrisper4694]

If the rumors are true, and if a 7-4 schedule actually puts an end to these rinky dink tournaments in any of our small lakes, that's a plus in my book - but we don't have to agree lol.

you never heard the saying 'give them an inch, they take a mile'? this is all slippery slope crap, can't look at it like you do, sorry. We've seen this way too many times. That's why i'll always side with no new restrictions, period! hunting, fishing, lakes i'll never fish, it doesn't matter where or who. You don't like tournaments so you'll make this sacrifice? makes no sense in the real world dude.

[Chrisper4694]

Is it possible the OP is trolling?pun intended...i mean he hasnt publicly revealed his source?

too many coincidences imo and we do know the source... just trying to 100% confirm it, but best to get ahead of anything anyway.

[Chrisper4694]

First off, its a reservoir.. Not all of those are open to the public..
Second, its privately held and maintained..

The owners are known as the Merrill Creek Owners Group- Public Service Electric and Gas, which built the reservoir for the group; Jersey Central Power and Light, Atlantic City Electric, Metropolitan Edison, Philadelphia Electric, PPL Corporation, and Delmarva Power and Light.
Sad to say, but they can pretty much dictate as they please, and can probably just as easily shut it down to all public access if they wanted to... State might not stock it any longer, but the fish already there would do very well, with no fishing pressure at all...Thats the way things work unfortunately.. They don't need fishermen, and most likely would be happier without them... bob

why would they have ever had it open to begin with?? out of the goodness of their hearts? haha....yeah no.... there is some kind of agreement and they are trying to sneak this crap by us so no they can not 'do whatever they want'.

[reason162]

You don't like tournaments so you'll make this sacrifice? makes no sense in the real world dude.

Sure it does - I'm against the new hours, I will put forth a finite amount of energy opposing it (once we can confirm it's actually happening), but if at the end we fail to stop the new schedule, I wouldn't be unhappy to see weigh-in tournaments interrupted on that lake as a result.

Not sure why that's incompatible with the real world.

[Chrisper4694]

Sure it does - I'm against the new hours, I will put forth a finite amount of energy opposing it (once we can confirm it's actually happening), but if at the end we fail to stop the new schedule, I wouldn't be unhappy to see weigh-in tournaments interrupted on that lake as a result.

Not sure why that's incompatible with the real world.

Cause it never stops. Restrictions always start small and never stop if allowed. Being ok with that means being ok with total closure imo. Petition them to ban tournaments if you want its a totally different issue.

[Ken Lyons]

If the 4:00 sign has always been there it might be best to let sleeping dogs lie. Calling attention to this could alert the wrong people. I think I would rather apologize than ask permission.

[Chrisper4694]

One of my fb friends says they got a hold of somebody at the park office and they told him that these rumors about the new times are not true. That being said, I still can't personally confirm any of this. no body has called me back or picked up when i've called. very odd situation imo.

[Mikey topaz]

One of my fb friends says they got a hold of somebody at the park office and they told him that these rumors about the new times are not true. That being said, I still can't personally confirm any of this. no body has called me back or picked up when i've called. very odd situation imo.

Chris, I wrote if passed!!!!!They are voting on it!!!!!I’m not saying this is true just what I was told by someone that works there.

[Mikey topaz]

https://i.postimg.cc/YjmjXQPP/0-D5-DAAD1-9378-4600-9-F9-E-0694-DE7-F8-A37.jpg (https://postimg.cc/YjmjXQPP)

[bigfishy]

Thats sad news!! I imagine the lines to get in will stretch past the intersection entry by 7a.m....which may cause a further problem for the few homeowners on that street....time will tell...

[NJSquatch]

Another sad day for the NJ outdoorsman. The hunting club has to be more irate than the fisherman.

[Hookmanski]

Insane. Any working person that wanted to go after work is now SOL. Weekends are going to be mobbed. Horrible news.

[Merrill Creek Reservoir]

Since 1989, Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) has granted access to the public to enjoy its tranquil setting, natural environment, and limited low impact recreational activities. In an effort to enhance our overall site safety and security measures, MCR will implement new public recreation times, which go into effect on May 1, 2023.

• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

The entire MCR property, including hiking trails and boat ramp, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please park in designated parking areas only, as there is no parking permitted anywhere else at MCR, including roadside parking. Parking along roadsides and other areas at MCR is for authorized vehicles only.

MCR is a privately owned property, please help us to keep MCR safe and secure for all to enjoy by strictly following our new property visitation hours. Thank you.
Merrill Creek Reservoir

[thmyorke1]

These new hours are too limited, i was hoping new hours for mcr would eventually go the other direction, staying open later.

This new set of hours is too late in the morning to escape the larger crowds and waiting for morning, and end too shortly to get off the water in time to avoid another crowded mess.

In addition, both are cutting way too much into peak fishing hours, both around sunrise and sunset. Thanks if this can eventually be extended again, idk why it was cut, but if a staffing issue hopefully thats resolved easily and fast.

This is unfortunately a growing trend throughout the state

[Hookmanski]

Since 1989, Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) has granted access to the public to enjoy its tranquil setting, natural environment, and limited low impact recreational activities. In an effort to enhance our overall site safety and security measures, MCR will implement new public recreation times, which go into effect on May 1, 2023.

• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

The entire MCR property, including hiking trails and boat ramp, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please park in designated parking areas only, as there is no parking permitted anywhere else at MCR, including roadside parking. Parking along roadsides and other areas at MCR is for authorized vehicles only.

MCR is a privately owned property, please help us to keep MCR safe and secure for all to enjoy by strictly following our new property visitation hours. Thank you.
Merrill Creek Reservoir

We would much rather hear about if anything can be done to revert this change - the numbers are speaking and it's clear people in the fishing, hiking, kayaking and general outdoor communities are upset with this change. It is going to have a negative impact on the ability to enjoy the space, and cuts off peak hours for people who work all day and would like to spend the last few hours of daylight enjoying the space like they have been able to do for decades.

Would love to hear a response back on this.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Since 1989, Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) has granted access to the public to enjoy its tranquil setting, natural environment, and limited low impact recreational activities. In an effort to enhance our overall site safety and security measures, MCR will implement new public recreation times, which go into effect on May 1, 2023.

• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

The entire MCR property, including hiking trails and boat ramp, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please park in designated parking areas only, as there is no parking permitted anywhere else at MCR, including roadside parking. Parking along roadsides and other areas at MCR is for authorized vehicles only.

MCR is a privately owned property, please help us to keep MCR safe and secure for all to enjoy by strictly following our new property visitation hours. Thank you.
Merrill Creek Reservoir

Page created to inform us of the negative news that none of us wanted to except. These hours do not work in favor of, “We The People!” Total disappointment!

[NJSquatch]

Since 1989, Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) has granted access to the public to enjoy its tranquil setting, natural environment, and limited low impact recreational activities. In an effort to enhance our overall site safety and security measures, MCR will implement new public recreation times, which go into effect on May 1, 2023.

• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

The entire MCR property, including hiking trails and boat ramp, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please park in designated parking areas only, as there is no parking permitted anywhere else at MCR, including roadside parking. Parking along roadsides and other areas at MCR is for authorized vehicles only.

MCR is a privately owned property, please help us to keep MCR safe and secure for all to enjoy by strictly following our new property visitation hours. Thank you.
Merrill Creek Reservoir

@ Merrill Creek can you please explain the reason behind this change? I think it will help with PR

[DanH]

Security reasons ???? I was there today and saw two different groups of Police Officers on foot walking around the reservoir . Maybe it was just an exercise but I haven't seen this before . Anybody ever see this there ?

[Wilson]

I'm betting that the residents of the area complained about the added traffic, noise and garbage. Anybody that has fished there at o dark thirty and was waiting in line for the gate to open knows what I mean.
Since and during the covid19 outbreak many public and not so public spaces have been regulated more, closed or posted. The Raritan River was the scene of several pop up parties and as a result the parking areas where closed.
Anyone remember this fiasco?

https://youtu.be/Ocs-_zGUhbk

Sooner or later social media ruins everything.
Keep posting those brag pictures with the location of the catch and see what happens to your spot.

The state should take Merrill off their stocking schedule. Do you think they will:rolleyes:

[AndyS]

The state should take Merrill off their stocking schedule. Do you think they will

I'm still trying to figure out why Newark Watershed gets stocked. Rules have been in place there for a very long time, yet no one seems to complain, why is that ?

[NJSquatch]

Security reasons ???? I was there today and saw two different groups of Police Officers on foot walking around the reservoir . Maybe it was just an exercise but I haven't seen this before . Anybody ever see this there ?

Like in the parking lots or out on the damns?

[Mikey topaz]

Just another bad thing that the sportsman loose out on in this state.
Many other places in this state having the similar problems with limited access or roads shut down just when the hunting/fishing seasons are in prime time.

Just hope this isn’t the start of things and they start looking to do this elsewhere also.

[acabtp]

Since 1989, Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) has granted access to the public to enjoy its tranquil setting, natural environment, and limited low impact recreational activities. In an effort to enhance our overall site safety and security measures, MCR will implement new public recreation times, which go into effect on May 1, 2023.

• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

The entire MCR property, including hiking trails and boat ramp, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please park in designated parking areas only, as there is no parking permitted anywhere else at MCR, including roadside parking. Parking along roadsides and other areas at MCR is for authorized vehicles only.

MCR is a privately owned property, please help us to keep MCR safe and secure for all to enjoy by strictly following our new property visitation hours. Thank you.
Merrill Creek Reservoir

"safety and security measures" huh? 🙄 yeah... sure... ok. they've been using that once since 9/11. you ever hear of anyone messing with a lake? yeah, me neither

i understand it's private property so if they chose to put really crappy hours like 7-4:30 or 5:30 that's their choice, but I wonder if this kind of half-access (less than half actually, since it will be closed more hours than open) is maybe the worst outcome for fishermen and DFW resources? the state will keep wasting fish there, where if they just closed it all the way, the state would discontinue stocking and free those resources for use elsewhere.

[muskynut]

Hope everyone is well...... Greenwood today....YOUR LAKE TOMORROW!

I would suggest you do the following:

Next Fish and Game Council Meeting is Tuesday April 11 (every 2nd Tues of month)

You can call in 1 312 757 3121 Access Code 848-342-077
You can click on link to meeting/zoom
You can attend: Central Region Office
One Eldrige Road
Robbinsville, NJ 08691

Link to meeting is found on NJ Fish and Wildlife website under "Fish and Game Council Schedule" Frank Virgillio is the chair

You can also reach out to Lisa Barno, Assistant Director of NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Know everyone is agitated, up in arms, but in these meetings please be respectful.....these guys will do everthing in their power to try to rectify the issue if it can be ratified. MC being owned by private utility/power company....not sure what can be done.....even though lake is STOCKED BY THE STATE.

Attend any way you can....let your concerns be known....another access issue rears its ugly head. Opportune time to fish eliminated.....

See what the deal is find out the facts... see what they can do for you.

Maybe something can be worked out with authority on behalf of the fishermen?

Good luck....start there....

:):):)

[DanH]

Like in the parking lots or out on the damns?
They were actually walking around the reservoir in a group of six or seven .

[Chrisper4694]

Hope everyone is well...... Greenwood today....YOUR LAKE TOMORROW!

I would suggest you do the following:

Next Fish and Game Council Meeting is Tuesday April 11 (every 2nd Tues of month)

You can call in 1 312 757 3121 Access Code 848-342-077
You can click on link to meeting/zoom
You can attend: Central Region Office
One Eldrige Road
Robbinsville, NJ 08691

Link to meeting is found on NJ Fish and Wildlife website under "Fish and Game Council Schedule" Frank Virgillio is the chair

You can also reach out to Lisa Barno, Assistant Director of NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Know everyone is agitated, up in arms, but in these meetings please be respectful.....these guys will do everthing in their power to try to rectify the issue if it can be ratified. MC being owned by private utility/power company....not sure what can be done.....even though lake is STOCKED BY THE STATE.

Attend any way you can....let your concerns be known....another access issue rears its ugly head. Opportune time to fish eliminated.....

See what the deal is find out the facts... see what they can do for you.

Maybe something can be worked out with authority on behalf of the fishermen?

Good luck....start there....

:):):)

Thanks dave... been trying to warn people every instane of this crap is a slippery slope. Every inch we give up is actually a mile in reality.

We are trying yo get the details of the agreement that
Allowed them to built the reservoir in the first place

[AndyS]

Maybe go after the Newark Watersheds also while you are at it.

[NJSquatch]

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/phillipsburg/sections/warren-county-news/articles/warren-county-commissioners-look-for-answers-to-merrill-creek-announcement

[Wilson]

Thanks dave... been trying to warn people every instane of this crap is a slippery slope. Every inch we give up is actually a mile in reality.

We are trying yo get the details of the agreement that
Allowed them to built the reservoir in the first place

Freshwater fishing is slowly becoming as complicated, regulated and restricted as the salt already is.

[Chrisper4694]

Maybe go after the Newark Watersheds also while you are at it.

when the newark watersheds start opening after sunrise and closing way before sunset, we will.... still not sure how you are even comparing the two.

newark water sheds even extended the months they are open a couple years back, becoming less restrictive. and the fees are extremely reasonable. even if MCR put in a pass you had to purchase it would be a better option than closing in the middle of the day every day. this is one of the stupidest restrictions i've ever seen implemented.

[AndyS]

Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) is a privately-owned property, and its main purpose is to store and maintain a large water supply that can be released to the Delaware River in times of low flow. While it is not a park or other publicly-run facility, MCR grants access to the public so they can enjoy its tranquil setting and natural environment, and participate in limited low-impact recreational activities.
Over the past few years, MCR has experienced an unprecedented increase in the number of visitors to the property, which unfortunately has led to a marked increase in the number of incidents that compromise the safety of our staff. We have also experienced an uptick in other violations of our rules and regulations, all of which have the potential to impact the integrity of the site and the safety of our visitors. The majority of these incidents and rule violations have occurred during evening sunset hours.
Because of these continued challenges, and in order to protect the safety of our visitors, staff, property and community during these most challenging hours, MCR has made the decision to establish clearly defined public recreation times. These new times will go into effect on May 1, 2023. In an effort to provide the public with advance notice, we have posted these times on site and on social media and shared the information with area organizations. While we realize that this change will require some of our visitors to adjust their routines, we believe that they are necessary in order to keep MCR, its staff and its visitors safe, and for the site to remain publicly available into the future. We appreciate the community’s understanding and support of this necessary change.
Effective May 1, 2023, Merrill Creek Reservoir will adopt the following visitation hours.
• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

[Chrisper4694]

Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) is a privately-owned property, and its main purpose is to store and maintain a large water supply that can be released to the Delaware River in times of low flow. While it is not a park or other publicly-run facility, MCR grants access to the public so they can enjoy its tranquil setting and natural environment, and participate in limited low-impact recreational activities.
Over the past few years, MCR has experienced an unprecedented increase in the number of visitors to the property, which unfortunately has led to a marked increase in the number of incidents that compromise the safety of our staff. We have also experienced an uptick in other violations of our rules and regulations, all of which have the potential to impact the integrity of the site and the safety of our visitors. The majority of these incidents and rule violations have occurred during evening sunset hours.
Because of these continued challenges, and in order to protect the safety of our visitors, staff, property and community during these most challenging hours, MCR has made the decision to establish clearly defined public recreation times. These new times will go into effect on May 1, 2023. In an effort to provide the public with advance notice, we have posted these times on site and on social media and shared the information with area organizations. While we realize that this change will require some of our visitors to adjust their routines, we believe that they are necessary in order to keep MCR, its staff and its visitors safe, and for the site to remain publicly available into the future. We appreciate the community’s understanding and support of this necessary change.
Effective May 1, 2023, Merrill Creek Reservoir will adopt the following visitation hours.
• Gates Open at 7:00 AM year-round
• Gates Close at 5:30 PM from March 1 to October 31
• Gates Close at 4:30 PM from November 1 to Feb 28

If we allow generic 'safety' justifications for these ridiculous restrictions then we may as well just roll over and submit everything to them, full closure imminent and you can mark my words on that. everyone needs to keep firing people up about this.

that fishery was 100% funded, from scratch, out of our fishing license sales. they owe us. imagine you put your money in a bank and then they restrict the times you can come withdraw it to your inconvenience. this is no different, except you can't have your investment back. it's in they fishery and now you can't enjoy the benefits at the best times.

[Mikey topaz]

Guys here is a petition going around if you’d like to sign…..https://www.change.org/p/extend-hours-at-merrill-creek-reservoir

[Flygaff]

I believe the Res was built to supply an emergency water supply for the nuke plant across the river. Myself, I am against nuclear power. But that is a deeper discussion than can happen here

[bigfishy]

Signed and shared....maybe dedicate a thread to the petition and sticky it to the top??🤔

[NJSquatch]

A group of kayakers will be attending the Harmony Township committee meeting on Tuesday April 4th at 6pm to express their displeasure in the hour change. I will be out of state but if you are available please attend so the fisherman's voice is heard.

Apparently they also attempt to host these on zoom but I am skeptical with the statement below.

https://harmonytwp-nj.gov/

Municipal Building
3003 Belvidere Rd, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

The regular meetings of the Township Committee of the Township of Harmony, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, shall be held in-person and via Zoom. PLEASE NOTE, in the event that the equipment being utilized to facilitate the zoom meeting malfunctions, the meeting will proceed as an ‘in person’ meeting only. Instructions for joining the meeting can be found at harmonytwp-nj.gov. All Meetings will commence at 6:00 p.m., prevailing time.

[Chrisper4694]

A group of kayakers will be attending the Harmony Township committee meeting on Tuesday April 4th at 6pm to express their displeasure in the hour change. I will be out of state but if you are available please attend so the fisherman's voice is heard.

Apparently they also attempt to host these on zoom but I am skeptical with the statement below.

https://harmonytwp-nj.gov/

Municipal Building
3003 Belvidere Rd, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

The regular meetings of the Township Committee of the Township of Harmony, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, shall be held in-person and via Zoom. PLEASE NOTE, in the event that the equipment being utilized to facilitate the zoom meeting malfunctions, the meeting will proceed as an ‘in person’ meeting only. Instructions for joining the meeting can be found at harmonytwp-nj.gov. All Meetings will commence at 6:00 p.m., prevailing time.

i can most likely make this meeting if anyone wants to join me

[Mikey topaz]

Signed and shared....maybe dedicate a thread to the petition and sticky it to the top??🤔

I will sticky Chris’s post now

[NJSquatch]

https://facebook.com/events/s/support-repealing-the-shortene/149050938092752/

harmony twp meetup

[NJSquatch]

They had the whole park closed today for “boat ramp maintenance”.