Car Top Boat launch near Bergen County?

[JeffVanGundy]

I just impulse bought an inflatable raft cuz it was a pretty good deal. I was gunna get a kayak but I figured an inflatable is good for now cuz it's not like I'm going white water rafting with it, just a little fishing on a calm lake. I'm in Bergen County and was wondering if anyone knew of a place I can launch nearby? I'm pretty sure I can at Overpeck park and Franklin Lakes Reservoir. I don't know too many other places in the area and was just fishing for suggestions. Thanks!

[NJSquatch]

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm

looks like overpeck is the only lake in Bergen County..go further west in passaic and there are lot more and better spots

[JeffVanGundy]

I checked there, but Pompton Lake and Franklin Lakes are listed as No on there but I have seen people kayaking/boating there. Should I be searching for a different term other than car top boat launch? I have been searching for kayak launches. Thanks for the help!

[ScowardNJ]

Whats your range? I live in Bergen County and it sucks. With an inflatable raft i would NOT suggest any rivers to avoid a puncture except for maybe the Hudson. Green Turtle Pond or the north bay in Monksville would be a good spot. Franklin Lakes Preserve is a cool spot but the wind can honk across that small place often. Pompton and Potash would be okay also just watch out for submerged branches.

[cantthink0f0ne]

+1 for green turtle pond, I have the intex mariner 4 inflatable (for which i built a ply wood floor), its perfect for that small lake. I've also been on monksville res with it and was fine, but that may be too large for easy navigation.

Also highly recommend a trolling motor mount/motor/battery & small anchor. Makes it much easier to get around, and the anchor for when you want to stay in one spot.

[Skunk City]

Be careful with the inflatable. MikeyTopaz and I had to tow a quickly deflating inflatable back to shore in mid November at Lake Hopatcong. The guys caught a fish and when they got it into the boat, it flopped and one of its fins punctured the raft.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by JeffVanGundy

I checked there, but Pompton Lake and Franklin Lakes are listed as No on there but I have seen people kayaking/boating there. Should I be searching for a different term other than car top boat launch? I have been searching for kayak launches. Thanks for the help!

You can certainly car top Pompton Lake. There are two ramps, one on the main lake and one to the north on Potash Lake and I've seen people carry boats to the water in Terhne Park, though it is a bit of a walk. The lake in Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve can definitely be cartopped. I've put my canoe there a few times and the fishing is good there. Parking could be an issue but if you wait 5-10 minutes a space should open up. People are coming and going all day.

As others mentioned, Monksville and Green Turtle are decent options.

These links might help:
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2003/plcpnds03.pdf
https://paddling.com/paddle/locations

As an aside please don't be "that guy" who plops his inflable in the middle of the boat ramp and blocks a lane for 20 minutes while he inflates it. As inflatables gain popularity I see more and more of that and it drives me crazy.

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm

overpeck in Bergen County..

There will be more fish in there soon, possibly today:

Salvaged fish from Miller Pond @ the middle school, Englewood. It is being drained to be dredged.

[Chrisper4694]

you can use any ramp, not just a car top, just don't get in the way of people with trailers. I wouldn't fish from an inflatable...only a matter of time before a hook or fish spine hits it haha.

[Fred E. Goose]

+1 for Green Turtle Pond, or Wawayanda or Shepherds Lake. I don't know about Shepherds, but the other two have nice protected coves right by the ramp. All 3 are electric motors only, so you don't have to worry about navigating through monster wake. Also, Waywayanda and Shepherds should be free entry now, since it's after Labor Day.