Hackensack River Stripers

[NJ Dave]

Living so close to the Hackensack river and hearing about the stripers that are in there I want to explore this river.
Years ago we used to get em by the Red Roof Inn in Secacus but I understant that area is gated off now.
Also I have heard of the warm water discharge area that holds fish but not sure on where this is or how to access it.
I did see an area in Ridgefield Park that looks fishable near the PSEG plant.
Can anyone shed some intel on this river and areas to fish.
I understant these fish are migratory but from that water it would be strictly c & r.
I know that water has cleaned up over the years but I'll play it safe.
Also I am sure the Meadowlands marshes hold fish but again just not sure where to go.
My initial trips I would prefer on foot but I have a kayak with all essential dry and saftey gear so that is an option with company with knowledge of this eco system.
With tommorow off this is something I may try to explore.
Comany is welcomed.
Thx.

[hofnodinstructor]

Mill Creek Point Park in Secaucus. Plenty of parking and a boat ramp on the creek leading to the river.

[Urban Angler]

PM me

[shrimpman steve]

Is the hacky big enough for a 19 center console?

["Reef Donkey"]

Plenty big enough...lol though I might get beheaded on this site for telling you that

[BELLYUP]

You have to watch the tides in the Hacky. Low tide is mud in most areas.

[joeya78]

A 19 Ft is ok but there is a lot of mud flats to worry about, also the current rips in the river. I have seen a lot of people flip their boats in there before so be careful. If I was exploring I would launch at the statue of liberty and fish the Hudson instead. It's usually a good chunk game over there

[darrenflynn]

Ask urbanangler

[Chrisk]

Dave I go to Rutherford at times for bait, killies and eels, along the creek edges leading to the hackensack and I don't see a problem for a kayaker launching. No one ever botherd me. Can't tell you how the fishing is but don't wet your toes unless your after snapping trutles. Look around chubb and valley creek ave in the industrial park area.

[NJ Dave]

I did venture out. I hit that spot I saw in ridgefield park. Basically I fished from the road side with no luck.
Tried a small a open area by bergen fence but soon was asked to leave, private property.
I did swing by the red roof inn but no where legal to park. The docks were gated off with no access.
I did pull off roadside near a hospital and made a few casts with no luck.
Lure of choice was as recomended a 6 inch storm shad bunker pattern and I tried a pearl rubba swimmer as well.
No luck but I did find an area to launch my kayak however parking I forsee a problem. That water really rips thru there in some areas.
Urban angler, any words of advice much appreciated.
Thx.

[BayFisherMan]

Go fish by upper bay bridge by the nj turnpike ext. there is a nice parking lot there but if no luck go to 1st street bayonne right by bayonne bridge there is a nice dock you will catch a big stripers there on bunker

[RockFish]

Ahh the Hackensack! Worked there on a fish study for a college internship in the late eighties ('88) for the HMDC (Hackensack Meadowlands Developement Commission). Was on the river for 2-3 days a week catching fish in various types of nets from trawls, traps and seines. Our study area extended from the Rt. 46 bridge downstream to the power plant on the East side just upstream of Newark Bay. Never could believe believe the amount and varieties of fish captured during my time on the river. If I remember correctly, we caught 40 plus species of salt and fresh water fish in the river.

As a breeding ground, the river was loaded with juvenile salt water fish. Freshwater fish such as sunfish, lmb and catfish were plentiful in the brackish water.

Navigation was not a huge problem since the only thing on the water were barges and bridges. When the tide went out there were plenty of mud flats to test your outdrive. Never got stuck in the mud even though the engine was spittin' out black water. We moored our 18-20 footer at the old Barge Club for a while and then moved to a place in Secaucus.

Personal best was 40,000 mummichogs caught in a seine. All or most released unharmed. Good to know that that river is getting some attention.

JG

[Capt. Debbie]

I teach Boating Classes out of Hackensack YC underneath Rte 80.

Its very fresh water up there. Perch land. Best spot of in back of Pep Boys.

Yes lots of mud flats. I launched from Laurel Park ramp in Secaucus. Ran down to JC Power plant. NADA NADA NADA in August in there. Disappointing since I live close and its a perfect short trip for fun.

People KILL White Perch off the Laurel Hill Park launch ramp in summer on worms.

Most of river is deep in middle ( 15-20 feet) but the shores are almost all mud flats from Rte 3 and northwards. In fact there is a marina on west side of river by Rte 3. The marina boats lay high and dry in the mud on low and moon tides.

Yes, anyone who eats even legal sized fish from there, should gargle with gasoline in large quantities. aka DONT even think of it. Forget crabs too. They may be 10 inches point to point.

[gjb1969]

i have fished the river a lot this year and its bin slow unlike years past but i do much better in the spring i have lost some good size fish this season but its off in the numbers of fish i have seen come in to the bait shop in bayonne but there is a lot of small fish and that is a good thing for me the big fish came on bait and smaller ones came on swimshads and rattle traps i just feel that this year was off after the storm i hope its better in the spring i need to hook a good bass close to home i got lures i want to try out old ones but new in the pack:rolleyes:

[FDFisherman]

try Tonys Old Mill near the ballfields in Secaucus on the outgoing tide. Directions are tough but ask around and locals will point u in the right direction.