New to New Jersey fishing

[jonjon85]

Hi guys. I've done a bit of reading on here and various other websites,but can't seem to find a lot of concrete information on what fish species live where.
I'm relatively new to New Jersey so I'm not familiar with the area and I don't really get the chance to go out exploring the various rivers and lakes.
I took my wife and her nine year old brother fishing this past Saturday and they both had a decent time catching various sunfish and a couple of perch. All in all we caught around sixty fish,not bad for their first times. Thing is next time we go I'd like to fish for something a little more exciting.I don't want them getting bored of catching the same few fish. I was thinking of fishing for catfish, specifically bullheads. Does anyone know of any lakes containing a decent population of them in the north of Jersey?
I apologize in advance for the long muddled post. I'd just like my brother in law to grow up with the kinds of memories I have of sitting by the lake/river and not knowing what I catch next.

[jmurr711]

welcome aboard dude, most of the local ponds & lakes have bullheads & channel cats. The delaware river has great catfishing especially at night for bullheads & channel cats, theres even been flatheads caught. also NJ has awesome pickerel fishing all ear long in the NJ Pine barren cedar water lakes & a pickerel with its ferocity is always neat for kids. good luck man

[acabtp]

welcome to the site!!

here are a few links to help get you started
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fish_warmwater.htm - lots of info on all of NJ's warmwater fish, including habitat preferences, etc
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fish_bullhead.htm - the bullhead page
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fish_ch_cat.htm - once you guys have your bullhead routine down, might want to move up to channel cats, much larger
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm - list of public fishing locations w/ access points

that ought to get you going. not sure what part of the state you're in, but if you fill out your location in your profile you'll get some more localized recommendations.

[Eskimo]

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Where area do you live in and how far are you willing to travel to go fishing?



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[briansnat]

In addition to the links above, these tell you what fish are in which bodies of water.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2003/plcpnds03.pdf

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2003/plcstrms03.pdf

[jonjon85]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

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Where area do you live in and how far are you willing to travel to go fishing?



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Thanks for the quick replies guys, I appreciate it

I live in Bergen county,I'd prefer to stay in the northern counties,but going a little central shouldn't be a problem.

[Skunk City]

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

And eating them gives your skin a healthy green glow.

[jonjon85]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

Pretty much the entire Hackensack River has good catfishing. Channels and bullheads. Lots of public access too.

The Hackensack isn't far,finding a decent spot could be tricky. I guess I need to go for a walk

[Rybazłapać]

Welcome and along with the locations the experts have given the NJ Fish and Game app breaks Jersey down into 3 sections, north, central, and south. It gives species in the waters. Checking the stocking lists can also help from there. Good luck and have fun.