Nwcdc

[thefishermanmechanic]

I heard the watershed is closing tomorrow 8/5 has anyone else heard this?

[AndyS]

If that is true, iI want a refund on the 10,000 walleye that went into Canistear.

[GetANet]

YEA that would be F'ed up if they let the state stock those fish along with any others this year and then closed it to fishing!
SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY TO ME!!!!!!

[AndyS]

I think it is INSANE to put 10,000 of ANYTHING in one lake.

[iceehot6766]

can anyone confirm this? That would really suck. I actually heard rumors about this 2 weeks ago but wasn't sure how true it was. Hopefully this isn't the case

[buzzbaiter]

terror threat? please report any suspicious lure packages left unattended...

[The Birdman]

NO WAY. I will be very upset if they close it.

i just killed it there this past week! i fish there twice a week.

[AndrewT]

My dad was up there today and was told it was closing tomorrow. I pray it's not true!!

[iceehot6766]

I'll call my friend Rich this morning and find out and hopefully get to the bottom of this.......I really hope it's not true....was there on Saturday morning in the rain, caught a few walleye and bass , and didn't see any signs of closing....No chains,stantions,warning signs...nothing out of the ordinary.......been hearing this for a while now.....I actually heard from a very reliable source that next year all fishing , hunting, and camping priveledges were going to be taken away as the city of Newark was selling the properties and the new owners, whoever they are, didn't want the responsibilities and liabilities....If this is true, we have to petition the state and show our support for these properties....I'm not really sure how to go about this besides writing or calling Fish and game....any suggestions?.....Hold off until i try to get answers......Look for a new post within a few hrs.....Have a great day!

[acabtp]

the last time that i was at the NWCDC offices a few weeks ago, they said that all the rumors were just that, rumors. there will still be fishing, hunting, hiking, etc. they were even going to keep the same workers. it is just getting a new name so that the city could move money around a bit differently. but otherwise status quo.

granted, that was a few weeks ago, but i can't imagine very much changing in that short of a time period. plus like iceehot said, there were no signs of an imminent closure over the weekend.

[iceehot6766]

I tried sending an email to persons in charge of NWS and I get back a failure to send notice..very strange indeed.....also have tried calling the offices at Echo Lake which always opens at 8:00am and no answer or machine.....Hmmmmmmmmmmm?....will keep everyone posted....

Just got off the phone w/ a woman who claimed to be a manager of the watershed properties.....what she said is they have stopped issuing permits for the year, for whatever reasons. She said people who already have permits can fish and do whatever other activities they offer, but no new permits will be issued.... She also said this is why there is no answer at the Echo Lake office because it has been closed since no one has to be there anymore. I tried to explain something doesn't sound right and she hung up on me.....I'm gonna still do some research and get definative answers.....Stay tuned....

[fishfinder]

This is awful if it ends up true. Really hoping it's just a rumor, I have really been looking forward to fall fishing up there.

[AndyS]

Let's go get those 10,000 walleye out of there then !!!!!!

[basspilot]

Unfortunately I had a feeling this was going to happen after they disbanded this commission a few months ago. Doesn't really sound fair though that they stocked so many walleye into canistear and now could potentially be off limits. Hopefully they figure this out because it would honestly be a shame to lose even more fishing property in the north jersey area.

[fishfinder]

With or without the walleye there's no way this place should shut down. They are all great fisheries.

[iceehot6766]

I'm still trying to find out something...as of 2:39, still no answer at Echo Lake office....

[acabtp]

I'm still trying to find out something...as of 2:39, still no answer at Echo Lake office....
Don't bother calling anymore... At least not the echo lake office... I took a ride up. And the news is not good.
http://www.tombeauchamp.com/2013/08/newark-watershed-permit-office-closed/


Baaaaaaadddddd news. :( :(

[iceehot6766]

acabtp....thanks for helping w/ info on the current situation...I was going to do the same thing in the morning.......Again, what the lady abruptly told me this morning was there are no new permits being given out as of last Wed. so there was no point in keeping the office open anymore......Sounds ridiculous to me....I know the guy who works there(He used to be a postmaster general n my town for many many years before he retired and started at the Watersheds...gonna try to get in touch w/ him later this week via my buddies at the post office currently).....so much $$$$$ wasted on other unimportant things and this they close...doesn't make sense...at least there are no signs or chains as of yet that say they are closed for good.....keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best of the situation.......we need to keep these waters open.....they are too beautiful to let the city of Newark take over and ruin(which is the most likely scenario).........

[The Birdman]

Thanks for the info on this situation.
I might try and fish there tomm, i will b checking in the thread all day tom.

I also have a question about the shed. I know you are suppose to be off the water by sunset, but last time i was at canistear i pushed my luck and fished till about 9pm and it was totally dark when i get bck to the ramp.

There were 2 red glowsticks on a tree by the ramp to mark the launch spot and there were still 2 more boats out wayyyy down the lake and they didn't look like they were coming in......do they just not care about fishin @ night for eyes at this spot?

[NorthJerzyG]

I'll keep going till I'm told in person from an official its closed. Unreal.........

[iceehot6766]

I have been trying all day Monday and all morning so far today to get answers, but no luck....I recieved a phone call Sunday night informing me of the situation and put out some calls but it was after 8:00pm and I heard nothing...........I did hear that the ramps will be closed today(Tuesday)..I really hope this is not true...I may take a ride up there in a little while and see for myself/try to get answers maybe there are people from Newark or F & G milling about......a chance i will take.....

..I have a phone number of the new Business Administrator who has been assigned management for these properties but havem't been able to do more than leave a message.....no return phone call back yet.....His name is Mark Green and the number is 973-733-6400......I may not be able to make this a priority today but I will try to get some answers...If someone else can try, that would be great and appreciated.......Been trying since 9:00am Monday morning......I do know this for fact....there are definately signs on the Echo Lake office that say to the effect...."closed until further notice"......I also know there are going to be no more new permits being distributed this year......That is the reason the office at Echo lake has been closed.....It is no longer necessary to have anyone work in that office(which to me makes no sense)...My friend Richie worked there...Many of us know him well........budget cuts suck

[kcritch]

Just doing a little research online it seems to me that we are in a significant transition period here. Based on the news I've read Newark has been trying to get rid of that "nonprofit commision" for a while because of suspected financial foul play, unaccounted for funds, and the fact that the whole system is aging and in disrepair. (Saw a statement that 1/3 third of the water pumped out of the shed to supply the city is lost to leaks...that's nuts) So now they have finally succeeded in getting them out and have also decided to manage it themselves verses hiring a new third party...evidently Booker wanted to outsource it but the Newark Reps did not and wanted the city to have control over the management of the water operations.

So to me this is simply...The management company is out and there is no water management department within the city infrastructure to take over all aspects of the operation. Now they are scrambling to put one in place. Which means appointments, new job postings and hirings, etc...and that is not something that happens quickly. I'm thinking the reason you are getting no answers is because there is no one to answer them. I'm guessing supplying the city with water is the only thing they are concerned about right now. Fishing access is not going to be a critical item at all. The only factor that can effect that would be the revenue gained from permits being needed to finance the operation. I'm just not sure how much money that represents. Not trying to be a downer but to me it is just logical progression of the change under the circumstances.

[Fish n Jeep]

I wonder if that throws all the rules out the window for the time being, as far as needing a permit at all.

[Skunk City]

I wonder if that throws all the rules out the window for the time being, as far as needing a permit at all.

WATERSHED ANARCHY!!!! :eek:

[NorthJerzyG]

SMALLIE-A-THON!!!!! Let's have a m&g and let them know how much we would like the shed to stay open, lol. Permit and not permit holders all welcome..........

[Art Berkman]

SMALLIE-A-THON!!!!! Let's have a m&g and let them know how much we would like the shed to stay open, lol. Permit and not permit holders all welcome..........

Ready :D

Just say when !!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Oh yea, I fished that SHED heavy from 1997-2008. You wana have a Meet-n-greet at the shed! Lets go bring it. I got some heavy hitters in my back pocket that will show up thick, and than there's my PAGAN relatives. Peeps I'm mentioning are definitely not members of NJF, but they'll show up!!!!!!!

[Skunk City]

Oh yea, I fished that SHED heavy from 1997-2008. You wana have a Meet-n-greet at the shed! Lets go bring it. I got some heavy hitters in my back pocket that will show up thick, and than there's my PAGAN relatives. Peeps I'm mentioning are definitely not members of NJF, but they'll show up!!!!!!!

Baseball bats and torches, chanting "Hell no, we won't go!".

[basspilot]

Sounds like a plan to me just let me know when and where. Ohh yeah and ill bring beer!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Baseball bats and torches, chanting "Hell no, we won't go!".


Ahhhhh, that's old school nonsense. These days we wipe out you, your family pets and your entire bloodline. Finished, done, no questions!!!

[NorthJerzyG]

Any BONUS for takin out GRANNY?........ IF she's still kickin.........:)

Really, who's in? Hate to see tickets given out for non permit holders but I'm sure we could get some updates on the security in the coming days/weeks. Or, when its officially closed, game on.......

[basspilot]

I cant imagine anyone would get a ticket for not having a "permit". The permits are technically not valid because the agency that issued them technically doesn't exist anymore so I don't know how they could possibly enforce it. Non the less I will probably call before I go though just to be cautious.

[acabtp]

i think that's a terrible idea.

trying to have a meet and greet up there during this interim period while things are in limbo and encouraging a ton of non-permit holding folks to show up sounds like a great way to demonstrate the difficulties of crowd control on the watershed and help get the reservoirs closed for good. also, the security guys are still driving around.

instead, how about calling the Newark Mayor's office and respectfully telling them how much you enjoy the reservoirs and how, due to the lack of information about what is going on, you are very concerned about access for the rest of this year and in the future. then call NJDFW and tell them that you are very concerned about the possible loss of access to thousands of acres of publicly accessible reservoirs and the stocked fish in them, as well as ~35,000 acres of land that is open for hunting, hiking and horseback riding.

[iceehot6766]

i think that's a terrible idea.

Definately AGREED!!!


trying to have a meet and greet up there during this interim period while things are in limbo and encouraging a ton of non-permit holding folks to show up sounds like a great way to demonstrate the difficulties of crowd control on the watershed and help get the reservoirs closed for good. also, the security guys are still driving around.

DEFINATELY AGREED!!

instead, how about calling the Newark Mayor's office and respectfully telling them how much you enjoy the reservoirs and how, due to the lack of information about what is going on, you are very concerned about access for the rest of this year and in the future. then call NJDFW and tell them that you are very concerned about the possible loss of access to thousands of acres of publicly accessible reservoirs and the stocked fish in them, as well as ~35,000 acres of land that is open for hunting, hiking and horseback riding.

Tried all of the above the past two days.....Spoke to people from Mayor's office AND F & G Yesterday....F & G told me as far as they know, it is open and no new permits being issued.....As soon as I get answers , I will do my best , I will post.....as fast as I can

I will not give up trying to get more answers today....

[Fish n Jeep]

If anyone can save us, Cory Booker can :confused:

[jimmythegreek]

I spoke to friend of my aunts that has a higher up position in the mayors office in Newark this morning, shes actually in the healthcare division but knows other stuff. This is actually a big deal down there, we look at it as fishing and rescources but to Newark its their drinking water, this is their watershed and holding tanks. Anyway they heard the rumors too, but she says its all BS its just rumors. They dissolved the commision because of budget reasons, kinda like when DMV went private, they are trying to keep costs down and she claims they lost lots of money on the permits, they did not cover the cost of their payroll at echo lake alone, not even thinking about utilities and all that. Anyway she says rescources will stay open, no new permits being issued tho, and if they did somehow close the sheds they CANNOT block access to state stocked waters, so canistear, echo, and clinton cannot be closed due to administrative policies, only ecological problems can stop access. Basically those are our fish in the reservoirs, w our tax dollars, and after talking with her it sounds like she knows what shes talking about

[Mark B.]

I, too, am trying to find out, so far, with no success.

Has anyone been fishing there this week?

[Mark B.]

I just heard from the Newark Press Office.

Anglers with current permits can still fish.

They are in the process of hiring employees to man the office & sell new permits by early next week.

[thefishermanmechanic]

Going up Friday with my permit, I'll post what the fishing is like !

[iceehot6766]

Going up Friday with my permit, I'll post what the fishing is like !

You got an open seat?.......:)...I have my permit.....

[rob]

If anyone can keep me updated about when they start issuing permits again that would be appreciated.

I really just started fishing and am in the process of fixing my friend's boat up and I'd be really disappointed if I couldn't get permits for any of these reservoirs.

[muskynut]

a friend of mine, Lou Martinez who writes for the Fisherman magazine told me to stay away from the watershed....that they're ticketing cars.....sorta not fair given the fact that they took my money for a permit....really don't know what is going on....he also told me he heard they are going to have another office in another location.....I guess we'll just have to wait and see....

[AndyS]

TOOK your money ! I want the 10,000 walleye out of there, that's what I want. I'll give ya money if ya need some.

[GetANet]

Nobody has a problem taking our money, just like the saltwater registry did and then it became free - where's my refund?? Government and politics SUCK!!! They F up everything!!!! Hope they get it straightened out up there. Was hoping to get up there sometime this fall but I guess we"ll see.

[Fish n Jeep]

Government and politics SUCK!!! They F up everything!!!!

Understatement of the century. The problem with government is that it is run by politicians. We need productive members of society running things instead.

[Wilson]

Understatement of the century. The problem with government is that it is run by politicians. We need productive members of society running things instead.
Why would they want to work with the bloated ego , hooray for me and the hell with everybody else politicians?

[Fish n Jeep]

Why would they want to work with the bloated ego , hooray for me and the hell with everybody else politicians?

They wouldn't have to. Politicians should be fish food.

[catfishonthelake]

I heard from a very good source that the office is opening on Monday, should be fully up and running by mid-week and that permits will be sold. Vera will no longer be running the office, Richie is running the show over there now and there doesn't seem to be any reason that this little bump will affect the fishing next year. Good lungin'! Let 'em go, let 'em grow!

[acabtp]

Me, my buddy, and a bald eagle are fishing the shed right now, football smallies... For AMERICA!

[muskynut]

I also heard back from my friend Lou Martinez who spoke to Dave Chanda and several higher ups with the state and also the guy who runs the office at Echo....the office will be up an running as of this Monday and permits will be continued to be issued!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D :D :D :D

[iceehot6766]

Me, my buddy, and a bald eagle are fishing the shed right now, football smallies... For AMERICA!


We saw that Eagle flying around the other day.....What a cool sight!!....Post a report later if you get a chance and FISH ON(ALWAYS!!)

[acabtp]

We saw that Eagle flying around the other day.....What a cool sight!!....Post a report later if you get a chance and FISH ON(ALWAYS!!)
FISH ONNNN YEAH BUDDY