Orange Reservoir

[TSouth]

Anybody have any experience fishing here? I've fished it a few times over the past few summers and never caught anything huge, but I have seen HUGE fish jumping along the shoreline. I'm not sure if you're even allowed to fish here, there's this gate we always enter through off of Cherry Ln. I've seen people a few people here and there but never a ton.

There are definitely alot of fish in here, there were a few outings where I caught a fish just about every cast using nightcrawlers. Mostly panfish and a species I couldn't identify. The reservoir looks like it could be pretty deep and there was a ton of space for fishing. I'm guessing there are some MONSTER carp in here aswell as some catfish and who knows what else.

Also- looking on the map, part of the Rahway feeds this lake, so there is the potential for a healthy population. Google searches on this spot provide minimal info. So who can shed some light on this place?

[flyboy1]

Ive been fishing this place for the past 4 years and I have caught nice and healthy Largemouth from 2 - 6 lbs... there are Largemouth, yellow perch, suckers, cats, crappie, white perch... I dont believe anything feeds this res as the the only outlet is a small water fall in the far back of the res that only flows out... Unfortunately the fishing has gotten worse over the years as more people had become aware that the Res was reopened for fishing after being closed for about 12 years.. the bucket patrol catches and keeps everything (every size of bass and whatever else they catch)... Further, the city decided to clean up the property and installed a sprinkler as well as a mini-golf and restaraunt has now opened on this res and I believe boats will be available for rent for fishing and sightseeing... This res isn't anything special anymore.

[stevelikes2fish]

I was born and raised in Orange. Back in the 60's, 70's, 80's, as far as I can remember, that place was always closed to fishing. Surprised to see it has been reopened. Anyway, I don't fish freshwater anymore, but it would had been nice to get in there. I remember my uncle telling me stories that he use to sneak in there during the 60's. I think he new the grounds keeper.

[Earl123]

I went there a few weeks ago and there was no sign of life, no jumps hits nothing. I was dissapointed as I was excited to go there after passing it all my life. disturbing also to see how much garbage was there already, tons of beer and soda cans, plastic, and it's only been recently opened. It looked like the passaic. And you wonder why you can't fish in reservoirs

[stevelikes2fish]

Another place that use to be open to fishing but now closed is the Jersey City Reservoir in Boonton. Use to fish all around the banks as a little kid with my uncle. We caught bass, bluegills, catfish, pickerel. Then, they closed the banks due to all the garbage people left there. Actually stopped by there couple of years ago and now the old bridge is closed to fishing. Had so many, many memories of that place. It was a beautiful place.

[Earl123]

yeah I had fished there briefly about 17, 18 yrs or so ago when they were offering permits. Caught a bunch of nice bass there. It's a shame that people can't clean up after themselves