Union County Spots

[RyanMac14]

So not looking for specific spots just an idea of a lake or pond with a good reputation for lmb in the Union County area. Will be in West Orange for the day but willing to travel to the surrounding counties (somerset, middlesex) to burn some time after the work day. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

Verona Park isn't bad and in the area. Toughest thing IMO in union county right now is algae. A lot of ponds/lakes are covered. You aren't far from the Passaic either. A lot of good threads that may point you in the right direction there.

[RyanMac14]

Yeah im a long time lurker so I've read many a threads regarding the passaic river. Understandably I never really see specific places where you can park and access from shore but yeah lakes are getting prettybad after all the heat thats why I usually stick the big lakes down by me (assunpink and manasquan). Thanks for the verona tip though. Decent number of bass there? And any specific baits besides classic senkos and spinners?

[Skunk City]

Verona Park is a cool spot. Doubt any Trout carried over, but it has good Largemouth fishing. Wacky Senko is all you need, we've caught them up to 19" in there.

[RyanMac14]

Great thanks. Ill let you know how I do tomorrow. I have watermelon with black and red yamas and watermelon with candy yumdingers. Any other specific colors?

[Mark B.]

In early June, NJDF&W boat electrofished Verona Lake. Searching for any stocked trout that showed signs of furunculosis.

We collected 3 trout. One 12” rainbow w/ suspect lesions, kept & analyzed revealed another more common bacterium. A clean 9” brown & clean 22” breeder rainbow were released.

All of the trout were collected in the southern end (anglers have reported that there is cold water input from the Peckman River & some trout holdover)of the lake. Water temp. @ the middle of the lake was 72F, that day.

Lots of nice size bass & a good population of Golden Shiners. Tons of BIG carp. And, 2 koi,….one of which was 30 lbs. The koi were not returned to the lake.

The biggest surprise,…………..an 18” walleye near the dam.

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

In early June, NJDF&W boat electrofished Verona Lake. Searching for any stocked trout that showed signs of furunculosis.

We collected 3 trout. One 12” rainbow w/ suspect lesions, kept & analyzed revealed another more common bacterium. A clean 9” brown & clean 22” breeder rainbow were released.

All of the trout were collected in the southern end (anglers have reported that there is cold water input from the Peckman River & some trout holdover)of the lake. Water temp. @ the middle of the lake was 72F, that day.

Lots of nice size bass & a good population of Golden Shiners. Tons of BIG carp. And, 2 koi,….one of which was 30 lbs. The koi were not returned to the lake.

The biggest surprise,…………..an 18” walleye near the dam.

Mark is there anywhere one could view the results of electrofishings in NJ lakes? I for one would love to see the data.

Was the Walleye released?

[saxmatt]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

In early June, NJDF&W boat electrofished Verona Lake. Searching for any stocked trout that showed signs of furunculosis.

We collected 3 trout. One 12” rainbow w/ suspect lesions, kept & analyzed revealed another more common bacterium. A clean 9” brown & clean 22” breeder rainbow were released.

All of the trout were collected in the southern end (anglers have reported that there is cold water input from the Peckman River & some trout holdover)of the lake. Water temp. @ the middle of the lake was 72F, that day.

Lots of nice size bass & a good population of Golden Shiners. Tons of BIG carp. And, 2 koi,….one of which was 30 lbs. The koi were not returned to the lake.

The biggest surprise,…………..an 18” walleye near the dam.

Such a shame you killed that koi. They are rare in NJ, let alone one over 30lbs. Many anglers would have loved to catch that fish, would have been the fish of a lifetime. They are the same species as the common carp and can breed with commons and mirrors creating some beautiful fish. They don't do any more harm to the environment than carp, they're just prettier fish. I don't understand why Fish and Game would kill such a great fish...very disappointing.

[RyanMac14]

How has all the action been after the electroshock? Whens the last time you guys went?

[jimcnj]

Originally Posted by saxmatt

Such a shame you killed that koi. They are rare in NJ, let alone one over 30lbs. Many anglers would have loved to catch that fish, would have been the fish of a lifetime. They are the same species as the common carp and can breed with commons and mirrors creating some beautiful fish. They don't do any more harm to the environment than carp, they're just prettier fish. I don't understand why Fish and Game would kill such a great fish...very disappointing.

It is kinda neat when you see them in park ponds.
There is a park in Cranford that has yellow, white and orange beasts swimming around.