park hours

[tycomps]

most of the fishing access I'm using now that I'm on foot and no longer have a boat is via town parks. I've noticed that they're posted as opening at 6am which doesn't leave much time to fish before work and it's way too hot afterward. I've also noticed that police like to sit in the parks doing paperwork and even found one sleeping yesterday. Has anyone had a problem using a "public" park for fishing before it's legally open?

[NorthJerzyG]

Try it out. If all else fails, run!!!!

Jk, have your liscense and don't be a d-bag.............

[tycomps]

what about my car?

[Webstersigam]

I do a lot of parks in Union County. I've never had a real problem if it's an hour or so before "dawn", just have your licence and don't be a D*ck. As for the car, might have an issue if the cop is in a mood. I try to fish as close to where I park and visa versa.

[tycomps]

yeah, I do union county too. the "dawn to dusk" rule has some leeway as the sun starts comin up at 5am but the sign at the place where the cop was snoozin said 6am so I left. being 52, wearing a backpack tackle system with a fishing license on it, and carrying two rods hopefully displays my intent. I was just wondering if anyone had any encounters regarding fishing outside posted hours even if it was just to check credentials and then allow you to fish. I guess I could park on the street and access the water as it's really the park that's closed not the river.

[NJ219bands]

I got a verbal warning from Sergeant Scott Seitz of the Plainsboro Police Department for fishing after hours in a park. Other cars, a boat and people on bikes were also there at the time. The sergeant ran after a guy on a bike to inform him that it was illegal to ride his bike in the park after sunset. Only in NJ!!!

[tycomps]

no wonder they don't let us pump our own gas when we fish and ride bikes after dark! nice name mention too, thanks!

ps- I wonder if the hours are listed on the fish and game site where we purchase our licenses or they publish the areas of public access in the state. it would be interesting to see if there's any mention of hours since we are technically paying to use the public access.

[tycomps]

nope, no mention of hours for streams, rivers, or lakes-

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishstrm.htm

they do however say "public access is assured and these waters should provide stretches of uninterrupted hassle free fishing"

guess just not too early or late when the fish are really biting : - )