Passaic River Question
 

I was driving route 80 east today I think I went over the Passaic like three times then again further down rt 46 east. I never see anyone fishing down there. Is there access points near 80/46? Looks good. Then when you're get neat rt 21 there's a tidal section of river. What's it called and does anyone fish it.

Re: Passaic River Question
 

I grew up fishing the section along Route 21 in Passaic and Clifton. We called it polluted.

As far as access points, I doubt many here will share theirs. I've only fished the Passaic a few times since my childhood so I don't know it well enough to have mental bookmarks of a bunch of access points, but one spot with easy access is on Two Bridges Rd in Fairfield. I used to fish for carp there when I lived in Caldwell. There is parking right between the two bridges and a well worn path along the river. There are ways to get to the river through Great Piece Meadow (which may be what you are seeing from Rt 80), but you may want to wear knee high, water proof boots in wet seasons. Another spot, if you don't mind a wet and muddy walk, is via West Essex Park in West Caldwell. I never fished in these two locations but I've been geocaching back there and was able to reach the river.

Beyond that, Google maps and satellite photos should give you a good starting point. Pick out a few that look good and gas up the car, toss in your rod and check them out.

Re: Passaic River Question
 

Jimmy, all good fishing everywhere on the river. The 46/80 section gets stocked hard. I do very well there. Throw that kayak in and you'll get something. Throw me a PM when you are ready.

Re: Passaic River Question
 

im looking to fish the passaic this year also with my kayak. is the area along summit/berkeley heights worth fishing or is it more the route 80/46 fairfield to paterson stretch?

Re: Passaic River Question
 

The entire river is worth fishing. I've fished several stretches from Florham Park to the Dundee Dam and still barely scratched the surface of what the river has to offer.

Re: Passaic River Question
 

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Re: Passaic River Question
 

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I occasionally fish the upper reaches of the Passaic. The Berkely Heights area is very narrow and shallow. It's a good area for carp and yellow bullhead. I've never seen any Smallmouth Bass up there. It's a difficult area to kayak because of the shallow areas and trees lying across the river, especially in the summer time.

As I understand it, they aren't stocking that section of the Passaic River with trout this year due to the disease outbreak in the hatchery.


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Re: Passaic River Question
 

thanks, thats kind of what i thought. im wondering how do you guys usually kayak fish a river, do you paddle upstream and fish down towards your launch, or go right in and fish then paddle back? or some of both?

Re: Passaic River Question
 

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It doesn't matter. I usually start casting as soon as I see a spot that looks promising.

Re: Passaic River Question
 

If I'm not mistaken the Passaic in that area was stocked with small muskies and there was at least one report of a few toothy critters caught in that UC stretch. Limited access and a very long river makes a yak the way to go. You'll probably feel like one of the early pioneers as you explore that stretch from sterling to New Providence. Have at it.