NJ Herald story on Columbia Lake removal...

[buzzbaiter]

http://www.njherald.com/article/2016...CLE/306239984#

Its really not a lake anymore, more like a large retention basin that collects silt, sand and debris. It does hold fish but shore fishing is near impossible and even if you have a boat, lilypads cover a good portion of the "lake". River is already a good to excellent smallmouth water and removing that dam could really boost that fishery not to mention having shad run and allow walleyes to also move up into the river. Locals - of course - are against it with ridiculous reasons like "it may affect local businesses" So farmer Joe won't sell as much corn along the road this July?

[Matt A.]

I was there on saturday below the falls. Just a sunfish. Brown slime coating every rock.

[Bill Willix]

I live less then 10 minutes from Columbia lake. I have mixed feelings about it. I have caught plenty of walleye and shad below the dam that come up from the Delaware. And yes if the dam is removed they can go further up. But at the same time I have caught some really big channels in the lake. I would miss a Friday or Saturday night fishing the lake. Also the duck hunting in the lake is pretty good to. But if the dam goes I guess those of us that live locally will have to adjust

[buzzbaiter]

The Paulina dam above B'town is also suppose to come down. The slack water behind that dam does hold some fine gamefish - large bass and pickerel - but its an obsolete dam and those need to come down. After that you have the Paulinskill Dam/Lake and that's it. That one should remain since since many private homes are along it. That lake is a muddy, weedy mess with waaay too many carp but does hold some decent bass. Always thought it would be good pike water?

[FASTEDDIE29]

Lots of good memories that dam has given me! I say rip it down! It's filled in a bit and the fishing isn't what it used to be! Let the river flow free once again!

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

Lots of good memories that dam has given me! I say rip it down! It's filled in a bit and the fishing isn't what it used to be! Let the river flow free once again!

Careful what you wish for....Snakeheads, Flatheads, Rock Snot?
Not that I'm any expert.
I love flowing water as much as you but....?

[FASTEDDIE29]

Originally Posted by Wilson

Careful what you wish for....Snakeheads, Flatheads, Rock Snot?
Not that I'm any expert.
I love flowing water as much as you but....?

If we had the rain that we used to get I would change my opinion! I really would! Seems like we're getting the short end of the stick in that category! Flatheads, well they're my friends! Love hand feeding them, HAHA!!!

[AndyS]

At the town meeting people actually thought if the dam were to be removed the river would disappear also.

Wilson, those are LAME excuses for dam removal.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by AndyS

At the town meeting people actually thought if the dam were to be removed the river would disappear also.

Wilson, those are LAME excuses for dam removal.

Your right...fish and game already feeds the Cormorants guess a few more mouths will be ok.

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by Bill Willix

Also the duck hunting in the lake is pretty good to.

there will still be ducks but now you'll get to float hunt them from a canoe which is more fun than setting decs anyway