IT'S COMING!

The lakes here in the north end of the state are starting to crack gentlemen.  It's time to organize that tackle, spool up those reels and charge those batteries.

Who's with me????

my lakes still have a foot of ice lol, and 2 feet of snow on top of that lol.  But with the weather warming up, i'm hoping to be out on the water in just a few weeks, and dang, i'm looking forward to it.

Here in Mass we have about another inch or two of ice on the ponds, so close. May try to get out on the river this weekend, but the water is still pretty darn cold 

Going out today for the 1st time in over 4 months.  Keeping my fingers crossed that everything still works and taking some new toys out for the 1st time too.

Get to 1st lake and frozen solid, my fishing partner quips "have any other bright idea's". 

Get to 2nd lake, frozen solid (debate going trap shooting instead).

Get to 3rd lake, wide open. 

Caught a 12" on my 3rd cast and a 13" a few minutes later.  Fiddled with the boat and everything works.  Way to good a start for the 1st time out.  I think I just jinxed the season.

I'm going to take a ride by my favorite lakes to see what the ice situation is.  Wish me luck.

Waters should be warming up with the weather we have been having here in southern NY/metro NYC the past few days especially.

Open water here on Long Island.

You have no idea how much I've been fiending getting out here in NJ.  Joining my fishing club at Ramapo College has not helped  One more (hah who am i kidding) 75$ splurge at tackle warehouse for some swimbaits and fresh line and I'm ready to rock for the season.

demonjd, your at ramapo college?  I live right around the corner and the restaurant i manage makes a lot of money off your campus.  Do you live on campus or commute?

my lakes still have a foot of ice lol, and 2 feet of snow on top of that lol. But with the weather warming up, i'm hoping to be out on the water in just a few weeks, and dang, i'm looking forward to it.

there was really a foot of ice on the highland lakes as of the 4th? I was by hopatcong this passed weekend and it was half unfrozen and recall passing the boonton res and it was open water.  Are guys really that high up in the mountains?

This might be a little off topic but have any of you fished Saddle Brook Pond/Dahnerts Lake ive fished both of them in the passed week saddle brook pond produced from decent bass for me but ive gotten skunked at Dahnerts three times in the past week. Thanks!

Foodang - I would suggest that you get out of the ghetto and head 20 minutes north and fish some lakes/ponds with fish in them.

Any suggestions on any lakes up north that is shore fishing accessible?

Well, here down south of y'all (Camden County), it's on. I got 8 total between last Saturday night and Sunday night. No fatties, but still good to get the first fish of the year. All of them caught slow boppin' a black 4" craw tube on the bottom.

Man, was that a long a$$ winter or what ?

Foodang -

Campgaw pond in mahwah

green turtle pond in west milford

Ramapo lake in Oakland - this one requires some hiking

All of these have good shore access and good fishing pm me if u want some more details or directions.

The ice is gone!

Im so ready... i fish so many little ponds in bergen co. in the old tappan westwood area.

I have fished the pond in the ramapo nature center.. skunked is that place any good?

cjl -  that pond isnt any good.  If I were you I would take the hike up to the upper lake and give that a try.

First bass of the year...4 pounds even

Nice fish.  I need to make some time this weekend to really get out.  I've been working to much.

I had spring break last week and caught  a few 4 pounders some 2 pounders and a couple one pounders.  All in all I caught 10 bass.  What a great spring break!

my lakes still have a foot of ice lol, and 2 feet of snow on top of that lol. But with the weather warming up, i'm hoping to be out on the water in just a few weeks, and dang, i'm looking forward to it.

there was really a foot of ice on the highland lakes as of the 4th? I was by hopatcong this passed weekend and it was half unfrozen and recall passing the boonton res and it was open water. Are guys really that high up in the mountains?

can't compare us to boonton lol.  I had snow on the ground until 2 weeks ago, and the ice cleared up about a week 1/2 ago.  We're at the very top of the mountain.  We had about 7 feet of snow this winter.

I'm gunna grab a permit for the newark watershed lakes this week.  Anyone have any reccomendations for fishing them?

I live in Lake Mohawk and tried a few times still no Bass. Im gonna try again tomorrow hopefully the warm weather will get things cooking. >

I put my boat in on Saturday afternoon and trolled around for a little while with my brother.  We totalled 3 lmb, 4 picks and a crappie.  Nice to get out on the water and catch fish in the sunshine for a change.

ive been real lazy about getting out this spring but i just broke the tension by grabbin a solid 2.5 at a pond near my house this evening.  tomorrow im hittin the newark watersheds for some smallies