Love Fish & Game

[Suntzu]

Just drove through Echo Lake park in Union County and watched a CO bust a poacher was great to see, had a truck full of rods so business in Union County must be good today, he was writing the guy up

Great to see, hope he swings by Lenape, Nomahegan and through Cranford to bust the rest of the poachers

Thanks F&G🎊

[AndyS]

My buddy just called the CO's for fishing the AT&T stretch on the North Branch.

[Billfish715]

Obviously those poachers don't read this message board. What were you prepared to do if the CO wasn't there? There's nothing wrong with saying something to the poachers and then breaking out your phone/camera if they don't move. If they give you sh-t, call the local police dept.

Keep this # on you contact list for easy access to report an abuse. It's operational 24/7.

1-855-OGT-TIPS ( 1-855-648-8477 )

[Billfish715]

Obviously those poachers don't read this message board. What were you prepared to do if the CO wasn't there? There's nothing wrong with saying something to the poachers and then breaking out your phone/camera if they don't move. If they give you sh-t, call the local police dept.

Keep this # on you contact list for easy access to report an abuse. It's operational 24/7.

1-855-OGT-TIPS ( 1-855-648-8477

[Suntzu]

Generally I asked them if they are aware that the season is closed. Mostly the pretend ignorance and leave. No one really gets crazy over 10 inch stockies

One exception, and it will happen tomorrow as it has happened for the last 10 years, a large family that owns a shop in Elizabeth that also sells seafood will show up en masse and fill a good part of a cooler with trout. Last year they had 62 of them. They sell them in their store. Not a license among them, will start before sun up, could care less about limits completely understand the law but don't care, this is about money. Some folks every year. They start at the same hole, and move down stream cleaning each one out
Hopefully the CO shows up tomorrow here as well, first one I have seen here in Union County in a very long time

[Jigman13]

The conservation officers regularly read this board. Post where the poachers fish and I'm sure they'll do their best to show up, especially if it'll be a big bust certainly worth their time.

Poaching and keeping more than your legal limit is bad enough, but selling your catch illegally can have major legal consequences that'll suspend, or possibly shut down, their business operation.

[Suntzu]

Cranford - Lenape, then behind Grey's, then the Mill, then 2nd footbridge, Wall St ending at Sperry pond around sunset
Look for the blue cooler

[jimcnj]

Originally Posted by Suntzu

Cranford - Lenape, then behind Grey's, then the Mill, then 2nd footbridge, Wall St ending at Sperry pond around sunset
Look for the blue cooler

I'll be at the Mill early with my daughter, then Grey's later and maybe Nomahegan. Nomahegan produced zero for us early last opening day.

[Suntzu]

If the expected rain falls overnight there will be no fishing at the Mill as the water will be over the falls and muddy, it's already high
Best bet Nomahegan, Echo or Milton until things settle down
I don't fish much for trout but will be poking around different spots in Cranford

[Billfish715]

Ahh.......the Rahway River! I cut my trout fishing teeth on the Rahway. It used to be lined with kids and parents from Springfield to Rahway. The area behind Greys was packed. The state stocked it heavily. The area below and above the mill was always stocked amply too. One of the former fish and game council members lived on the street downstream from the bridge and across from the river. That spot always got an extra net or two. The area behind the middle school (Lehigh Stretch) was cared for by the kids from Cranford who built dams along the way. Since the flood control projects came along, all that is gone. If you can imagine how much fishing meant to us kids back in the day, all you had to see was a bunch of us trying to ride our bikes at 4:30 A.M. (for the 5 A.M. opening) with our hip boots on, and rods and nets across the handle bars. Don't overlook the Winfield Park stretch or the downstream section below Morris Ave in Springfield.

As for the poachers, make the call!