I would try the 1 mile stretch on the Pequest below the state hatchery. I don't fish in the winter but know I did go there once and it was in the cold weather and I caught some fish. Not too far a ride for you, 45 minutes to an hour or so.Hi everyone this is my first post here so I apologize if I am posting in the incorrect format or location. I am a fairly new fly fisherman and live in Bergen county. Was wondering if anyone knew good winter rivers to fish. Have not had much luck at the ramapo and have done decent at the saddle river but it is too low right now. I want to try the flat brook but don’t know if I want to spend a day scouting it out in the freezing cold
Ah I’ve heard good things about the Pequest but never made it out there. Do you have any recommendations on where to park/start fishing? Thank you for your help!
I really don't, but there is plenty of access there. Just get in your car and go, you'll find it.
There is a parking lot right at the bridge at the entrance to the hatchery.
Not sure if the Ramapo gets a fall stocking? That river loses all Spring stocked fish due to warm summer temps, so if they don't have Fall stockings, it wouldn't hold trout again until the stock it in late March of '25. The Musky from the Point Mountain TCA down to the Delaware will have plenty of trout and ample public access. The Pequest from the state trout hatchery downstream to the Delaware also will have ample trout. Try the Pequannock River in the seasonal TCA as that is close to you. The entire South Branch Raritan River down to the Lake Solitude dam has both wild and stocked trout and that's a huge stretch of river with many good public access spots. Try the Wanaque as well which is closer to you.Hi everyone this is my first post here so I apologize if I am posting in the incorrect format or location. I am a fairly new fly fisherman and live in Bergen county. Was wondering if anyone knew good winter rivers to fish. Have not had much luck at the ramapo and have done decent at the saddle river but it is too low right now. I want to try the flat brook but don’t know if I want to spend a day scouting it out in the freezing cold
Yes, the Ramapo generally gets a fall stocking. It can be quite productive before the water temperature makes them sluggish (when you can't feel your feet).
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Yes, the Ramapo generally gets a fall stocking. It can be quite productive before the water temperature makes them sluggish (when you can't feel your feet).
It's been my experience that after the spring stocking, (depending on the weather), the fish survive until late June or early July.
(I once caught a brown in August, but that was 50 years ago
Fishing in June or July is a judgement call ... you're likely to over stress them enough so they won't survive a release, but they're going to die soon anyway.
After that, it's a smallmouth & sunfish river until the fall stocking.
