Northern Lakes

[dboyd101]

Silly question to ask, but are the northern lakes (Monks, GWL, Waway) all iced out? I am thinking of dropping the yak in tonight and am curious whats good to go.

Thanks fellas and tight lines!

[MattK]

Monksville shepherds and pompton lake are open from what ive heard. Musconetcong is also open. Ill be checking cranberry and aeroflex this afternoon since im planning on going out on my boat tomorrow.


Wondering if you're the same dboyd i used to work with.

[dboyd101]

Sure is, dude. Good luck w/the winds tomorrow! I expect some catch pics, but please please please, don't expect any from me.

I've made the familial decision to not take the kayak out tonight, and just go from shore.

[bling306]

Monks and GWL are definitely open. Not sure about Waway

[Tigerhunter]

How about Hopatcong? Thanks!

[Chrisper4694]

Hopatcong is wide open. I did some recon there from shore and what I refer to as the real spring fishing transition has not started as of Friday afternoon. But these next few warm sunny days might do it.

[Chris_JC]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

But these next few warm sunny days might do it.

I got out late this afternoon - it looked like the sun got some of the crappie/white perch going. Nothing too crazy but not bad for first open water of the year. Even an eagle got in on the action.

[Tigerhunter]

Nice! Were they still deep or starting to move shallow? How was the water temperature and clarity? Thanks in advance!

[Rickhem]

I'm up a few hours north of NJ now, about 40 miles west of Albany. This past weekend I did little recon with my trail bike and rode past a few lakes and reservoirs up here, all of which still had almost no open water yet. Yesterday I took that same ride, and all the ice is gone. The water is still the weird grey-green color that it was last spring, but the ice is gone.
I'm pretty sure all the ice is gone from just about any body of water in NJ now.