Newark watershed closings - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

briansnat · #1 10-30-2016, 08:20 PM

I went to Echo lake today and the ramp was closed off and the sign said the reservoirs are closed in "mid October". I think I heard that Clinton might be open longer. Is that the case or are all of the Newark done for the season?

FishnChips · #2 10-30-2016, 10:08 PM

Permit says 11. 30 .16.

acabtp · #3 10-30-2016, 11:47 PM

generally they close access to the reservoirs for fishing around the start of the hunting season. iirc, echo was the one that was usually open later than the others. i don't remember them ever being open until 11/30

Skunk City · #4 10-31-2016, 10:25 AM

Silly that these places close up just as the best time of the year is starting.

The Birdman · #5 10-31-2016, 10:40 AM

yep Canistear has been closed since sept and Echo closed since 2nd week of Oct. you can still fish form shore, just not by the dams.
im pissed i cant musky fish echo, IMO the ramp was still ok to launch.
Clint and oak will be open until nov 30th, I talked to the office to confirm.

Just be careful our there with the low water, you can lose a trolling motor prop very easily!

fishingbuddies · #6 10-31-2016, 11:13 AM

I can confirm Oak Ridge is still open. Launched Sunday afternoon around 2pm. Trolled about half way out, fished for a bit. One perch and 3 pickerel before the heavens opens up and unleashed a lighting and thunder storm on us. Damn it was it coming down hard, sheets of rain. I couldn't troll fast enough to get back to the launch.
Keep fishing till they stop biting. Good luck guys.

briansnat · #7 11-02-2016, 01:32 PM

I went to Clinton yesterday and AOK.

Well watch out with the ramp. With the water low the ramp drops off rather suddenly at the waterline. I usually back up the car until I see the water just about reaching midway on the rear door, then the boat should be OK to launch, give or take minor adjustments.

I was backing up the boat into the water and something told me to stop well before I usually do. I got out and looked and had I backed up to where I usually do, the rear of my car would have been in 3 feet of water. The boat was alreeady floating free and I didn't even have my rear tires in the water.

FishnChips · #8 11-02-2016, 05:45 PM

believe or not the res. are easier to launch when water r low.

briansnat · #9 11-02-2016, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishnChips

believe or not the res. are easier to launch when water r low.

It was definitely easier to launch. But if i had backed up to the usual place I would have had serious issues.