This is the most popular and best bass fishing lake in the state. But rather than take the fish for an official weigh needed for an official record, he chose to release the egg-laden fish so it could live on and reproduce. Select options. Share your photos and stories in the comment or email me at bdonohue@njadvancemedia.com for possible inclusion in this gallery. Whippany, NJ 07981. Mountain Lake chart image courtesy of Navionics Boating app. Similarly, in trolling, so called speed trolling can be productive. Spring muskie will seek out shallow water coves that are protected from the wind. The experience I had catching my first muskie is a case in point. On the other hand, if you can identify shallow water flats, especially those that are wind protected, you may be able to stay in the zone for hundreds of feet from the shoreline. Reel them in as slowly as possible while still keeping the blades spinning. Furnace Lake in Oxford. When water temperatures are still in the 40s, muskies will be staging in 10 to 15 feet of water near the spawning grounds. Used to trout fish it as a kid during the stocking season. Great early fall fish from a kayak - nothing like a good size muskie on medium light tackle in the lily pads !! There is actually a crane in the bottom somewhere. Chandelier In Master Bedroom| Brook Trout tend to over-populate and stunt (become short and skinny) which creates an . The trout was 23 inches in length with a girth of 17 inches. At Hackettstown, that water flows directly from underground springs at the rate of 1300 gallons per minute to support the growth of over five million fish (a record number in 2017) each year, including northern pike, walleye, muskellunge, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and hybrid striped bass. Muskellunge are generally a shallow-water fish, preferring areas of weeds, logs, and other cover in both lake and stream environments. Hamilton said, Scott Collenburg, another biologist, sampled all the lakes we stock muskies in. 760 Trailer Hitch Receiver Accessories| However, more recently established fisheries inLake Hopatcong, Mercer Lake and Mountain Lake are coming on strong. limit-out Member; BST Users All Hackettstown Hatchery fish are fed live forage before they are stocked so they acclimate to feeding in the wild. Or he's just dressed in awesome 90's era hunting camo. Fly lengths should vary between 3 and 6 inches. $94.99 . -Read Full Disclaimer. And as I made the 8 sweeping pattern BAM!!! They start out small This story was first published: Spring, 2018, Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center, Winter Tactics For The Delaware River Angler. The data they gather will determine whether DNR officials will recommend a 40-inch muskie . Since then more resources were added to the list of stocked waters or occupied by both stocked and self-sustaining populations. Usually I generally shy away from wetting a line for a few days right after a cold-front moves in, but this time of year, I take advantage of any window of opportunity when I can to fish. Burnsville Lake features good numbers of muskies, but the lake's best attribute is certainly growing trophy fish. The fish measured 48 inches in length with a 28.5 inch girth. A to Z | departments Fish Identication . Muskies are often referred to as the fish of a thousand casts. This is not true by a long shot; dont believe it. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Canyon Lake is best known for its Musky fishing with many 20 to 30-pound trophy Musky being caught and released all season. 100 866-347-4836, Jersey Muskies: It Shouldnt Take A Thousand Casts, First States First: Delawares Summer Flounder Fishing, BDV Spotlight: The Winds Of War At A.C. Reef, Patriots Pier: Fishing At Naval Weapons Station Earle, May 2 Kickoff: Hunting Skinny Water Flatties, Northeast Striped Bass Study: Late 21 Tally & Early 22 Returns, Why 9%? This elusive fish is seldom abundant, and in lakes one adult fish per acre is considered a good fishery. Credit: Daily Record. Mountain Lake gets its name from Jenny Jump Mountain overlooking its glacial 122 acres. Its only over for a month; so cheer up, gear up and prepare for April togging! Matt Janiszewski caught this monster carp he registered at 53 lbs. Beyond that age growth slows with many variables coming into play, including available forage base and sex (males are always smaller than females). The fresh water record is held by John Christian, who was fishing from the shore of the Great Egg Harbor River in Mays Landing on April 26, 2002, when he caught the record bass. They are effecient eating "machines" that survive well in Idaho lakes. Ron remembers, To thank us for the work we do, they took some of us from the hatchery out in two groups to Furnace and Mountain Lakes. (source: NJ DEP), There are two separate records kept for carp in New Jersey: one for fish caught by rod and reel and another in the archery division. Classic red and white is very productive although many other color variations will work as well, again with an eye on matching the hatch. anyone ever fish it i know they have tournaments there and its listed as a trophy musky lake. dep | index You bet! That turned out to be the one and only Musky Ive ever caught in my life forty-four inches long!, Muskie tackle is specialized; lures can cost $30-40 each, and the rigs are heavy duty. You'll receive our weekly e-news "This Week in the New Jersey Skylands" which will keep you up to date on special events, new profiles, stories, and things to do. . musky parksville lake tennessee. The lake covers 929 acres and is located near Meadville in Crawford county. Echo Lake Reservoir As I retrieved my lure and started my 8 literally a foot from the `Yak, this magnificent Esox followed my lure! New Jersey's stocking sizes and rates are recommended by Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries regional biologists to create and maintain fisheries. Anglers often question the catch's weight and whether it should be the record. Penn-Jersey Chapter 50 Muskies Inc. division of fish & wildlife: home I never knew that it held muskies. The steepest is to the left of the launch ramp. Get our newsletter, This Week in the NJ Skylands, with updates, special offers and good ideas! Shad have also recently been spied in the Musconetcong, where dam removal has cleared their path through the ripe riffles of spring. (source: NJ DEP), John Viglione of Ringwood made his way onto the state record fish list in 2009 by landing a state record Northern Pike. On May 2, 2009, William "Bumbo" Lewis of Jackson, NJ, landed this state record white crappie. JavaScript is disabled. Iowa is home to a lot of really good fishing, and Spirit Lake in particular is very well known for some monsters. Some specialized tackle is needed to pursue muskies. However, night fishing can also be productive. While we fished for several hours thereafter, no more Muskies made it in the `Yaks. Once it gets to warm their tough to find, even in the hole. Warren County anglers can now hunt salmon averaging eighteen inches in Tilcon Lake, near the Musconetcong River at Waterloo Village, and perhaps Merrill Creek Reservoir later this year. 3,000 And while Newfoundland (locally pronounced New-found-land) lies by road and track about forty miles from Manhattan and is roughly bisected by busy Route 23, civilization is not what defines it.Actually, the opposite. 0 When targeting muskies on the fly, either a floating or slow sinking line will work, with a tapered 6- or so foot leader and 6-inch wire leader on the terminal end. 2 combined. Brian Donohue | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Going fishing this summer? Convert Gas To Wood Burning Fireplace| as an active member. The current New Jersey State record weighed in at a whopping 42 lbs., 13 ounces. October 29, 2020. | business . As I drove around the lake, I noticed a familiar white SUV in the area I normally parked. Muskie Fishing Adventure on the Mountain. Shallow weedy areas of lakes warm up first in the spring and are a good bet for early season. Furnace Lake (source: NJ DEP), There are two categories of records for striped bass, one each for salt and fresh water. They're in there make a left out of ramp go to back corner by weeds and hang on! At 2,500 acres, it has grass and plenty of docks. Mountain View Fishing & Hunting Lodge is located on the North shore of Nepewassi Lake, where you can enjoy fishing for pickerel (walleye), large & small mouth bass, muskie, tiger muskie, northern pike, perch and burbot.. Nepewassi Lake is 16 miles long, narrow and considered one of the cleanest lakes in the area. Musky Trout Hatchery,LLC Fish Delivered or Picked-up at our Scenic Hatchery in Warren County 279 Bloomsbury Road, Asbury, NJ 08802 116 Shore Rd. The Pequest facility also includes a Natural Resource Education Center for environmental education, where visitors develop the behaviors and skills necessary to become stewards of wildlife and natural resources through programs for families, scouts and other groups. All of this flashy bling can be too much for a Muskie to resist so be ready for a long follow and a strike close to your rod tip at the very end of the retrieve. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. (source NJ DEP), Andrew Du-Jack holds his state record brook trout caught on May 1, 1995, in the Rockaway River. Penn-Jersey Chapter 50 Muskies Inc. Staff from the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery recently completed this year's stocking of fall fingerling (10") and yearling (12") muskellunge in nine waters: The Fall Fingerlings were hatched April 1, 2020, growing to 10 inches in 6.5 months. New Jersey fish stocking efforts is more much more than just trout! In New Jersey? How far north do you have to go to get musky? Crank baits, surface lures, and spinners are all good choices, but a special muskie lure called a "jerkbait" is probably the best type of lure to use. However, the hot temperatures of mid-summer usually force the larger fish into deeper water where there may be less cover. This monster cat must've tasted great blackened with some cajun seasoning. I wrangled up this really nice 37 inch Muskie fishing out of my `Yak up at Mountain Lake. New Jersey has populations of both. October 29, 2020 Muskies, Inc. (national) Besides the nimble rainbow, plenty brookies and browns still swim those big rivers which flow through a progression from rugged terrain to the north and west to the gentle farmland of the east and south. You learn something new every day! But strike they do, much to the delight to a growing number of sport shad enthusiasts. Mountain Lake Buttzville S,M&P 116 N S . Focus on Fishing: Muskellunge Tilcon Lake located in Mt. Since shad do not eat during their migration, no one knows why they strike lures floated in their midst. | government Saw some big rises during the day. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. New River Trail is located at 176 Orphanage Drive, Foster Falls, VA 24360. The most popular types of lures are bucktails, crankbaits and jerkbaits. Only show this user. Muskellunge Distribution Map Forty-five inches of muskie hitting on twelve inches of line is something no angler can ever forget. The muskellunge is the largest member of the pike family, a highly prized sportfish and a true trophy. The deepest point of Tilcon Lake is 50 feet deep. Topwater plugs tempt very good-size bass in weed pockets around sunrise and sunset. | services Theyll eat baby ducks and geese.. 116 Shore Rd. Today, many musky . Merrill Creek, the countys largest impoundment, which reaches depths of two-hundred feet, already contains an impressive population of finned monsters, including the deep-running gigantic lake trout, big brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Cover and structure includes points, rocky areas, coves, shoreline riprap, brush, and channel mouths. (source: NJ DEP), Billy Friedman landed this giant carp while fishing the South Branch of the Raritan River in 1995. The junction of feeder streams will also hold muskies. Where we fished, the rivers flow pulses with little more power than a creek. These fish are state records certified under the NJ Divisiion of Fish and Wildlife's Record Fish Program, which certifies top catches for 31 different species, as well as retired historical records for species that can no longer be legally targetted. N1 Outdoors Put A Hook N1 Fish Hook Leather Patch Hat (Brown/Khaki) $29.99. In the Southwest part of Idaho the best place to find Tiger muskies is Dog Creek Reservoir near Gooding or Carey Lake. He caught the fish casting from his boat on Pompton Lake on May 16, 1996. Dollar Decor Ideas| Quickly I grabbed the net and swooped up the beast of a fish! Muskies, Inc. (national) Our 2014 family vacation on Long Pond, Mount Desert Island, Maine, seemed to promise better smallmouth bass than any my son and I had caught, but although we paddled and cast likely locations along the lakes seven-mile length, no bass weighed more than any we had caught in New Jersey during previous summers. Lake trout were introduced into the state in 1977 when the state stocked them in the reservoir. Maybe I'll try for Musky. A deceiver streamer pattern works well while a weighted Clouser minnow can provide additional depth penetration. These areas may become choked with weeds in the summer, but . National Furniture Liquidators El Paso Texas| Open year round . These fish are beastly strong so take your time and enjoy the fight. With over 500 miles of shoreline as the 2nd largest lake in Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is one of the premier places for fishing on the East Coast. More shad Take a breathtaking ride with a FAA certified pilot above the Kittatinny Mountains and Delaware Water Gap in our single passenger glider, or take someone else along in our two-passenger glider. Without a doubt, the elusive muskellunge is the king of freshwater predators and the ultimate trophy. That's a lot of Unagi. Greenwood Lake. i was down there this weekend for the 4th of July and it was insane with all the traffic on the lake. The . Spit Fire Triple Barrel Buckshot Alabama Rig. Muskellunge: 10-12" (14,854) Cooper River Park (173) DOD Lake (228) Echo Lake Reservoir (532) Furnace Lake (100) Greenwood Lake (3,640) Lake Hopatcong (2,685) Lake Musconetcong (658 Tiger Musky only) Little Swartswood Mountain Lake Nj Musky Fishing. Chapter 22 Muskies Inc. Monksville Reservoir. All Hackettstown Hatchery fish are fed live forage before they are stocked so they acclimate to feeding in the wild. In Region 4, Canadarago Lake is once again stocked with tigers. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Located on 120 acres of preserved farm in Warren County, the rehabilitation center provides treatment to orphaned, sick or injured wildlife including fawns, raccoon, skunks, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks and other small mammals. Click to enlarge 3 bds; 2 ba; 1,478 sqft - House for sale. This strain, stocked by Muskies, Inc., originated from Leech Lake in Minnesota. You'll be able to reel in Bass, Perch, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout, as well as Lake Trout. (Source NJ DEP), Lenny Saccente holds the state record brown trout he took out of Round Valley Reservoir in 1995. Chasing trophy muskie in the spring is totally within reach, especially given most of us already own much of the equipment that is needed. Yet this all can change during the magic time beginning at sunset and continuing until last light. Wed, 07/14/2010 - 14:07 -- jmaslar. Bowfin! Two of the three I knew from Instagram as I follow their excursions. Below is a list of lakes in VA that hold musky populations as well as a rating of their population health from 1-3 Stars. The hardcore contingent who fish bass or muskies in the cold of November and later should not overlook that steepest shoreline. Concentrate your efforts during the warm spring rain its a great time to target active muskies. If those times won't work . The muskies are smaller and more numerous in Mountain Lake. She added, Weve been overstocking the lake. While many lures will do the trick, there are a few go to patterns that are the most consistently effective. Overall activity increases and with it the chance of getting a strike increase. We returned home to Bedminster. 10752 Highway 1274 Wellington Ky 40387 2 miles east of Long Bow Marina on KY Route 1274 (606) 768 - 3911 or (606) 768-2319 . I've been by that lake a million times. Statewide (exceptions below) Tiger Musky & Muskellunge: 40 inches. As soon as we started stocking them, the anglers started catching them. Warren County anglers can now hunt salmon averaging eighteen inches in Tilcon Lake, near the Musconetcong River at Waterloo Village, and perhaps Merrill Creek Reservoir later this year. With the exception of those grown by private facilities, every stocked fish in the state was born and raised in clean, fresh water from Warren County ground. And, believe it or not, eels make their way up the Delaware from the Atlantic Ocean, many times well up into the Paulins Kill and Musconetcong. If you are fishing a body of water where depth drops off sharply, then the target zone might only be 20 or 30 feet from the shoreline. W, Mt. Round Valley Reservoir. Lawrence Jopko, then 14 years old, was fishing for catfish with his uncle in the Delaware River near Washington crossing in 1990 when he caught the NJ State record tiger muskie. Staff from the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery recently completed this year's stocking of fall fingerling (10") and yearling (12") muskellunge in nine waters: Muskie and their hybrid tiger muskie cousins have been called the fish of 10,000 casts due to the patience and determination required to catch them. Red Carpet Motel| One productive method to entice a strike is to swirl the lure around in the water in a figure eight along side the boat at the end of the retrieve. Passaic, NJ 07055. As I wrestled with the mighty Esox, I yelled to the guys, I could use a little help please! with that, they quickly jolted over to me. Catching a trophy muskellunge or muskie is one of the greatest thrills that can be experienced by any freshwater angler. 274 Depue St Belvidere Nj 07823 Zillow A photograph or a graphite replica makes an excellent trophy and remembrance of your fish. Tiger Muskie, as you would guess from their name, are agressive predatory fish. 440 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<3C32272EC4F16F47A4A8BBF55E9588E4><0AE7467E98DD604381C7651FDF03B458>]/Index[396 109]/Info 395 0 R/Length 175/Prev 1296706/Root 397 0 R/Size 505/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Candice Olson Bathroom| endstream endobj startxref But it's the best that can be done with a 20 year old pic. This story was first published: Spring, 1999, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Winter Tactics For The Delaware River Angler. However, a warm rain will raise water temperature nicely and often increase fish activity. A medium to heavy spinning or bait casting outfit with a 7-foot or so rod and 20-pound braid will do the trick. John was fishing in Pompton Lake, Passaic County when he reeled in the lunker, eclipsing the old record caught 32 years earlier in Spruce Run Reservoir by 6.5 ounces. Sinai, NY 11766 It can happen. Gamefish like to move along the steepest drop-offs in cold water, where they dont have to burn many calories to rise from depths to shallows if a rise in temperatures occasions some activity. Merrill Creek Reservoir. The only other body of water deep enough for lake trout is Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County. MORE INFORMATION Northern Pike, Tiger Musky, Muskellunge* Northern Pike. Since the hatchery doesnt raise them, Hamilton hopes they get them from another water body and move them. Suckers exist in the lake as likely forage, however, and soon the state will stock golden shiners. Jim Stewart of Rollie & Helens, a Northwoods fishing supply shop that bills itself as "the world's largest musky shop," says people can spend anywhere from $200 to $2000 outfitting themselves to . Mountain Lake The Fisherman. 2. You can review the latest newsletter here, and of course you'll be able to unsubscribe anytime. 330 Passaic Street. Muskies typically become more active during overcast conditions. Rods, Reels, Baits, Tackle Boxes, Hooks, Clothing and Other Equipment can all be found at the World's Largest Musky Shop. Cranberry Lake has a reputation for its quality brook trout fishing, stocking 20,000 brook trout annually. 3 - Hanover Township Municipal Building. We will continue to post stories, profiles and scheduled events and hope you'll subscribe (for free!) Using the visible clue of other anglers, you can also then see what structure is in that immediate area on your GPS/sonar unit or map, and start probing the deep water while respecting the space of the other fishermen in the area. As I pulled in the lot, I recognized my good friend Andrew Hunter Yutko with a few other guys loading up their kayaks. You can always count on a persistent rock bass or sunfish to rise on a fly or two when the trout arent interested. Mountain Lake was one of the hottest spots in NJ at one time. Its kind of a relic from when we initiated our stocking program, Hamilton said, It was more related to us using lakes, where we have the muskies, as our broodstock lakes. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. before it was a muskie lake i trout fished their it was a great trout lake and they killed it would go in july august and get decent browns on live bait. hb```">6,af`0pi`g+Y LUWw>SVnIh`@ZktN^qz3S1`r-jPGC:*5"Z`W66,6!,-X*t9H!Pyt Last Updated: Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Further adventure awaits on the Delaware River, where anglers find more bass, walleye, catfish and muskellunge only usually bigger along with monster carp. YouTube, Permit Coordination & Environmental Review/EO215, Pesticides, Waste & Underground Storage Tank, Equal Opportunity and Contract Assistance, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Unit, Permit Coordination & Environmental Review, Science, Research and Environmental Health. As a rule, the most productive time is between sunset and dark, although on overcast days, fish might become more active even earlier. Collins River Musky. Shoreline stretches on both sides of the lake feature steep weedy drop-offs where muskies take refuge along the bottom edge of the green stuff, possibly snatching a sucker on occasion, and rushing up from below upon sunfish highlighted above. We will continue to post stories, profiles and scheduled events and hope you'll subscribe (for free!) But in the Paulins Kill weve encountered bass we didnt hook, estimated bigger than any weve bank-sided yet. And if we find a new print format for the Skylands Visitor magazine, youre on the mailing list! The growing abundance of shad in spring reminds us again how fortunate we are to have in our midst the largest free flowing river in the East, one that has eagerly responded to conservation and clean up efforts. My strategy is usually to paddle up-wind and drift back along spots that I want to target. Zillow has 3 homes for sale in Mountain Lakes NJ. In no way does thathipsterlife.com claim ownership or responsibility for such items, and you should seek legal consent for any use of such materials from its owner. Muskie on! Merrill Creek, the county's largest impoundment, which reaches depths of two-hundred feet, already contains an impressive population . And if we find a new print format for the Skylands Visitor magazine, youre on the mailing list! It broke the old record, taken in the Delaware River by Mark Kronyak in 2008, by 1 lb. in 1990 when he caught this 29-pound tiger muskie. Not only for the fishing, but Buckenmeyer's Moutain Lake Casino was a great place for food, drink and entertainment. 15 days on Zillow. Started by limit-out, March 30, 2006. That 40-plus inch fish was caught in a wind sheltered cove, during a warm rain, in one foot of water, after sunset, casting parallel to the shoreline from a finger dock. Tuna Time Off the Delaware Coast, Finding Fluke: The Other Reef Structure, WMIT Turns 50! | dep Sinai, NY 11766 Andrew took a bunch of pictures and measured the Muskie, then I quickly released the 39.5 inch monster back into the murky depths. A North Carolina angler got a welcomed surprise last month when he hooked into a gigantic musky while fishing on Fontana Lake near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.. Weve dropped the stocking rate on muskies from two fish per acre to one fish per acre. Since fewer muskies are getting stocked now, bigger may be likely in the future. The City of Mountain Lake is located in the State of New Jersey.Find directions to Mountain Lake, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more.The Mountain Lake time zone is Eastern Daylight Time which is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Carpet One Clearfield Pa| I began working the outer edge of a weed-bed that had a drop-off with my Believer Lure. Muskie fishing generally starts in the late spring when the water temperature reaches the mid-60 degree range. Dont be afraid to maneuver your lure in a figure eight pattern a couple of times at the very end of the retrieve, keeping your rod tip in the water. Thanks to the efforts of Muskies Inc. NJ, a non-profit conservation organization and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game, quality muskie fishing can be found in many Garden State waters. Speaking of tigers..Fisherman Bob Neals appears to have stopped for a little ice fishing on his way home from Princeton Tiger mascott tryouts. Their springtime habits (April-May) are very predictable, and the key to successfully targeting the muskie lies in understanding the variables that are in play when we pursue them. man made structures such as bridge abutments and wing dams can also hold muskies. General FactsThe muskellunge is the largest member of the pike family, a highly prized sportfish and a true trophy. Other productive areas are rocky points, ledges, outcroppings, and fallen and standing timber. And if you really want to see some big fish, stay tuned for our upcoming gallery of record saltwater fish coming soon to nj.com. Catching a trophy muskellunge - or muskie - is one of the greatest thrills that can be experienced by any freshwater angler. Our and other states' stocking programs are constantly evaluated for success, so changes aren't surprising. Two things occur when its overcast. Cool thanks. I have seen many around and over 50". Muskie Fishing Guide Service Mountain Muskie Lodge on beautiful Cave Run Lake Kentucky. This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. The lake does produce a fair number of musky but more northern pike. Neals caught this monster musky through the ice at Monksville Reservoir in January, 1997. Flip through for a look at more monsters pulled from NJ lakes and rivers. Listed here are public boat launch ramps and boat landings, free to the public. Pickerel are present among the flourishing varieties of aquatic vegetation, too. Low Country House Plans With Wrap Around Porch, National Furniture Liquidators El Paso Texas. Learn those variables and look for conditions when as many of them are in play at the same time and you can score with far less than a thousand casts. Up to that point, I had never ever caught a Muskie on the Figure 8 and it was absolutely thrilling! The fish weighed an astounding 55 lbs. Jopko died in 2009. In New Jersey, the state record was caught by Bob Neals at Monksville Reservoir in January, 1997, and weighed in at 42 pounds, 13 ounces. Mountain Muskie Lodge and The Muskie Shack. You'll receive our weekly e-news "This Week in the New Jersey Skylands" which will keep you up to date on special events, new profiles, stories, and things to do. It also could have done well in any ugly fish contest. Ryker Lake. 602. To Top New Jersey Fishing Lakes Best Fish. DOD Lake hbbd```b``)`; "/HT=&H[ ^VD2_A$GX\LH 3Dre*@ X(t.e &$i8A%l6xXGr6e _xQ$]: Loved docking and going for lunch to break up the day.[tasty][drinking]. Re; NJ Kayaking Course. Most anglers in New Jersey abide by an unwritten law of catch and release for muskies, but in any case, Mountain Lake does have a March 20 to May 20 closure on harvest. The record still stands, 21 years later. Cory Ramsey was working 6- to 8-inch gizzard-shad baits along a rocky bank in the upper . This photo shows Adam Faatz of Hawthorne, NJ with his state record in the archery category caught at Greenwood Lake on May 19, 2014.