Free Fishing days

Free freshwater fishing days



By DAN RADEL • STAFF WRITER • June 4, 2010


The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife has designated this weekend, June 5 and 6, as free freshwater fishing days. On these two days, residents and non-residents may fish New Jersey's public fresh waters without a license or trout stamp. All other regulations, including size and daily catch limits, remain in effect.

If you want to take advantage of this opportunity to try your hand at fishing freshwater there is plenty of cool water in the state to cast a lure, fly or float a worm.


For a complete listing of fresh water streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs to fish and regulations visit NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife on-line at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/.

Locally, the lake in the center of Spring Lake and Max's Pond in Manasquan are still holding rainbow trout. Suspending a powerbait or a worm with a cork bobber is a simple technique to get these fish to bite. Small hooks, light tackle rods and 4- to 8-pound. test are also recommended.

The best time to fish these spots is early morning and evenings. Water temps then are a touch cooler than they are during the heat of the afternoon.


If you want to try a little more advanced trout fishing hit the back rivers. Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle recommended Brice Park on the Manasquan. There, the river water pools and creates good coverage for trout. Rooster Tails, and Mepps Spinners make good lures, while night crawlers and small killies or fatheads make good live baits.


Rainbow trout can also be found in the South Branch of the Raritan River. Pat Sutor of Effinger's Sporting Goods in Bound Brook reported Ben Carmen landed a 6-pound rainbow casting and retrieving a Yo-zuri Pin's Minnow.

If you're working the rivers, a good tip is to cast upstream and left it drift down. Also, search for little pools along the banks where the current is slow. Trout are known for hiding out in them.