What are the rivers like?

[Billfish715]

The Big D is frozen right across in most sections from upriver of Washington's Crossing on down past Trenton. I haven't been any farther north than there but have heard that the Gap is frozen. What does it mean for spring? First and foremost, it means severe floods once the ice lets go. A quick thaw or a heavy rain will make things very dangerous along the entire river. Fishing? Well, it should delay the shad migration a bit. The Raritan was open except for ice along the banks down near New Brunswick and up toward 287. I don't know about the Passaic but with all of its twists and turns, I can imagine that there has to be quite a bit of ice upriver. If that's true, then places around Pine Brook might have some major flooding like a few years back.

[AndyS]

Those shad are going to be hitting chunks of ice on the way up, great pics, thanx !

[acabtp]

people are riding up and down the rockaway river on quads

[Trevordog]

Bulls Island/Kingwood Launch is not looking too much better.

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k576/trevordog285/99d17559-4066-43ad-8fed-efbef3d1f44b.jpg (http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/trevordog285/media/99d17559-4066-43ad-8fed-efbef3d1f44b.jpg.html)

[dakota560]

Was at the Delaware Water Gap Saturday and it was frozen solid right at the rest stop before the bridge. Maybe 10 to 12 guys fishing just upstream from the bend mid river all the way over to the Pa. side. Water below the Gap around where the island splits the river was combination of hard water and open water as was the water near the 80 bridge which crosses over at the Gap. The river coming into the Delaware at that point just below the bridge was open water, the rapids just above the bridge was mostly frozen but the channel was open and surprisingly the river along the road with the one way lane and 5 minute light for the most part was all open water which surprised me. Thought that stretch would have been frozen but I guess the current runs stronger there. Was only there for about a half hour but saw two fish pulled out just above the bend at the rest area. Looked like channels from a distance but couldn't say for sure. The thought of walking out on that body of water just doesn't compute for me regardless of how cold it is. Lakes are one thing, big rivers just present too many unknowns. I'm sure the fishing can be insane but I would guess that ice no matter how thick can change quickly with currents and would hate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You go through the ice there and your fate is almost certain. For those who take the chance, be careful.

Dakota

[Taxman]

Saw 4 or 5 people walking / running on the passaic above the falls at the top of Rt 21