2022 Fishing Digest

[Rusty Spinner]

Now I can't fish for two weeks in the early spring...I kind of enjoyed being able to fish the stocked waters for C&R. I guess it's back to harassing wild fish during that period...

weenies

No kill stretches of stocked streams are open year round, and they hold wild trout...Just saying.

And you have to stand shoulder to shoulder in the off season as they are the only open waters unless you fish very small WTS.

[troutfishing4life]

They should do what PA does and cut the time they stock in half but do heavy stockings and do the stocking for opening day and then 4 other stockings with the remaining trout

[Rusty Spinner]

They should do what PA does and cut the time they stock in half but do heavy stockings and do the stocking for opening day and then 4 other stockings with the remaining trout

I was thinking about that. Something like 3X/year on the bigger rivers that get stocked, but larger amounts each time, of course. The big dumps of the last two years worked great, I thought, as fish were forced to spread out from the bridge holes they were dumped in due to excessive competition for habitat and food. Remember, these are STOCKED fish, Pequest will make more! They are raised to be caught and killed. That's the reality for those of us that only practice C&R.

[Drossi]

They should do what PA does and cut the time they stock in half but do heavy stockings and do the stocking for opening day and then 4 other stockings with the remaining trout

Agreed. But the vocal minority would kick and scream, if off the last 2 years they weren't going to make a subtle change then once they go back to the weekly stockings there won't be a change either.

[Troutman]

That's the reality for those of us that only practice C&R.

I only practice C&R for freshwater species. Certain saltwater is a whole different ball game

[Rusty Spinner]

That's the reality for those of us that only practice C&R.

I only practice C&R for freshwater species. Certain saltwater is a whole different ball game

I'm the exact same way. Been ice fishing three times already and haven't kept a fish. Even though some were very tasty such as yellow perch and black crappies.

[Troutman]

That's the reality for those of us that only practice C&R.

I only practice C&R for freshwater species. Certain saltwater is a whole different ball game

I'm the exact same way. Been ice fishing three times already and haven't kept a fish. Even though some were very tasty such as yellow perch and black crappies.

I was told that fish thru the ice taste better . idk how true that is. I never ice fished in my life

[martalus]

Some folks get a little crazy and harvest a huge 'pile' of fish when ice fishing. I have it in my mind that they taste better through the ice as well, but not sure what it is based on. Perhaps its because someone told me that fish in warmer water can get worms. I do recommend getting on the ice and trying it out with a buddy that has the gear/experience. A nice sunny windless 45-50 degree day in late Feb would be a great first day (as opposed to a January day with strong winds/windchills below 0)

[Troutman]

Some folks get a little crazy and harvest a huge 'pile' of fish when ice fishing. I have it in my mind that they taste better through the ice as well, but not sure what it is based on. Perhaps its because someone told me that fish in warmer water can get worms. I do recommend getting on the ice and trying it out with a buddy that has the gear/experience. A nice sunny windless 45-50 degree day in late Feb would be a great first day (as opposed to a January day with strong winds/windchills below 0)

I remember reading about cold water producing a cleaner tasting fish. because colder water is cleaner. It doesnt hold debris & other contaminants. mite be some truth to it as some fish caught in Alaska saltwater water will taste better then in some warmer waters

[Matt Grobert]

I can't remember where I read or heard this, but the reason fish caught in winter or through the ice taste better is because they have a higher fat content which makes the meat richer. Makes sense, just like you want some fat in your beef.

MG

[Rusty Spinner]

I've been ice fishing for 50 years now. It's largely a social event more than any other type of fishing I do. We always grill venison and do a fish fry on the ice, and there is often lots of booze flowing depending on where we are fishing (and driving). I've been out three times so far with plans for next weekend and possibly this Sunday morning before the games. We've had very good ice in the northern part of the state. Most lakes and ponds have well over 8" and likely well over 10" which is safe to drive a car on.

[Troutman]

I've been ice fishing for 50 years now. It's largely a social event more than any other type of fishing I do. We always grill venison and do a fish fry on the ice, and there is often lots of booze flowing depending on where we are fishing (and driving). I've been out three times so far with plans for next weekend and possibly this Sunday morning before the games. We've had very good ice in the northern part of the state. Most lakes and ponds have well over 8" and likely well over 10" which is safe to drive a car on.

sounds like fun for sure. Ive never even walked on a frozen lake

[Rusty Spinner]

I've been ice fishing for 50 years now. It's largely a social event more than any other type of fishing I do. We always grill venison and do a fish fry on the ice, and there is often lots of booze flowing depending on where we are fishing (and driving). I've been out three times so far with plans for next weekend and possibly this Sunday morning before the games. We've had very good ice in the northern part of the state. Most lakes and ponds have well over 8" and likely well over 10" which is safe to drive a car on.

sounds like fun for sure. Ive never even walked on a frozen lake

I grew up in a lake community in West Milford. We walked across the ice to get to my elementary school each winter because it cut our walk or bike ride by at least 1/3. Now they don't allow school age kids to walk, even if they live in the house next to the school.

[Troutman]

I've been ice fishing for 50 years now. It's largely a social event more than any other type of fishing I do. We always grill venison and do a fish fry on the ice, and there is often lots of booze flowing depending on where we are fishing (and driving). I've been out three times so far with plans for next weekend and possibly this Sunday morning before the games. We've had very good ice in the northern part of the state. Most lakes and ponds have well over 8" and likely well over 10" which is safe to drive a car on.

sounds like fun for sure. Ive never even walked on a frozen lake

I grew up in a lake community in West Milford. We walked across the ice to get to my elementary school each winter because it cut our walk or bike ride by at least 1/3. Now they don't allow school age kids to walk, even if they live in the house next to the school.

different times now my friend..... lucky to see a kid out fishing now ......

[lightenup]

sounds like fun for sure. Ive never even walked on a frozen lake

I grew up in a lake community in West Milford. We walked across the ice to get to my elementary school each winter because it cut our walk or bike ride by at least 1/3. Now they don't allow school age kids to walk, even if they live in the house next to the school.

different times now my friend..... lucky to see a kid out fishing now ......

Good, now when all you old farts die off, I will have the rivers ALL TO MYSELF, MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(evil laugh, whilst I ring my hands together)

[Troutman]

Good, now when all you old farts die off, I will have the rivers ALL TO MYSELF, MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(evil laugh, whilst I ring my hands together)

you must be a millennial.........

[Rusty Spinner]

Good, now when all you old farts die off, I will have the rivers ALL TO MYSELF, MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(evil laugh, whilst I ring my hands together)

you must be a millennial.........

Nope, he's also an old fart!

[Troutman]

Good, now when all you old farts die off, I will have the rivers ALL TO MYSELF, MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(evil laugh, whilst I ring my hands together)

you must be a millennial.........

Nope, he's also an old fart!

[lightenup]

Good, now when all you old farts die off, I will have the rivers ALL TO MYSELF, MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(evil laugh, whilst I ring my hands together)

you must be a millennial.........

I was born in 1970...what does that make me besides older middle age?

[martalus]

That makes you a Gen Xer-we are the generation inconveniently wedged between Baby Boomers and Millennials.