North Jersey Newbie - Where To Go (Trout)?

[NJGrant]

Have never fished north of the Rt 78 area from Essex County west to Lockwood Gorge and the Musconetcong south of Hackettstown.

Tomorrow plan to go north of Rt 80 for the first time.....suggestions ? And with water levels lower, please advise if I'd need waders or just boots in your suggested spots.

[Hookmanski]

Throw a dart at a map of north jersey and you'll be close to a river that has em! Theres a couple major rivers up there that you could try out, and if you get skunked the scenery is still worth the drive. Waders are a must in most spots even with the water low, unless you're fishing some real skinny water or don't mind wet wading (and with these temps, it might be the better option ).

Enjoy your trip and let us know how you do!

[NJGrant]

Am terrible at darts....I'd end up in New Hampshire. Looked on a map. Ramapo river have trout left ? And is it scenic (assuming skunk) ?

Or am I better off northwest in Sussex County ?

Never fished in either area....or anywhere north of Hackettstown (Point Mountain actually).

[fishingbuddies]

Stephen's state park

[thmyorke1]

It's so warm you dont need waders and can opt to wet wade, but with low clear water (when was the last good rain we had? Isnt it spring?!) and warming water temps it might be hard finding trout.

Id actually opt to the main stem of the raritan which has no shortage of water + trout all over it right now.

[Little_Shucker]

Originally Posted by NJGrant

Have never fished north of the Rt 78 area from Essex County west to Lockwood Gorge and the Musconetcong south of Hackettstown.

Tomorrow plan to go north of Rt 80 for the first time.....suggestions ? And with water levels lower, please advise if I'd need waders or just boots in your suggested spots.

There’s a good amount at the klg, looks like they’re biting on dry flies only though.

[MudCat08]

Just got back from wanaque river. Caught plenty. Ramapo, saddle river, hohokus brook will still have some.
Tight lines and good luck!

[NJGrant]

Well, the above "Stephens State Park" advice was great. The trout bite was on, and the insect bite was outrageous. I didn't notice or feel at the time, but next day I looked like I had chicken pox.

What's next ? Still haven't ever ventured north of Rt 80. New suggestions for water that still have trout ?

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by NJGrant

Well, the above "Stephens State Park" advice was great. The trout bite was on, and the insect bite was outrageous. I didn't notice or feel at the time, but next day I looked like I had chicken pox.

What's next ? Still haven't ever ventured north of Rt 80. New suggestions for water that still have trout ?

there's a lot of good trout water below rt 80, most of the delaware tributaries in that area are similar if you wanna check any of those out. You could also go wild and hit up the PA/NY streams

[NJGrant]

i want to venture north of Rt 80 simply because that would be a new thing for me. and, are fishing licenses reciprocal betw NJ and PA/NY ?