Wow! There’s so much to talk about this month that I don’t where to start. Of course there’s the fishing. June is a great month for Jersey’s most pursued species, bass and trout, not to mention the outstanding fishing for pickerel, perch, crappie, and the first good signs of hybrid striped bass fishing.
This month, let’s start off with two things that have been on this author’s mind and how they relate to the future of freshwater fishing. The first is pollution. As John Gierach has written, most of us have lakes or streams nearby we consider our “home waters”. For me it is Deal Lake in Monmouth County. I live across the street, the access is simple, and best of all, it’s loaded with bass. The only problem is that it’s also loaded with cans, bottles, invasive weeds, tires, stolen cell phones and other things that I’d rather not think about.
Despite this rubbish, bass are there, and lots of them including a 7-plus I caught a couple years ago that is still hopefully enjoying her time in the lake. Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, the water quality continues to decline there, so much so that the entire pickerel population has completely disappeared. The muskie stocked by the state are caught so sparingly I truly doubt there are more than a handful left, and I have legitimate fears that the largemouth bass will soon join them.
The pollution stems from things like passerby’s throwing their MacDonald’s bags out the window, the lake being downstream from an old landfill, as well as the use of nutrient-rich fertilizers by lakefront property owners and old leaking septic systems located throughout the watershed. If left unchecked I truly believe these rough and tumble urban bass will be no match against the overwhelming odds they are facing.
Unfortunately, Deal Lake’s problem is shared by many lakes and streams in New Jersey. Maybe some of our reader’s home waters have similar issues. Maybe that super bass lake the local club holds tournaments on is experiencing the same troubles. What then, do we do? The answer is to GET INVOLVED! Maybe a local committee has already formed, but if not, any concerned citizen could start one. That’s why we formed www.friendsofdeallake.com and have already seen some good results. We just can’t sit by and watch our home waters be destroyed right before our eyes, so we took action.
Speaking of disappearing, what is going on with freshwater participation over the past few years? This is my second major concern. The numbers are in and they’re not good. Less people are fishing. More people are letting their kids watch TV, surf the ‘net or play video games, which leaves little time for fishing. I was shocked last week when I actually heard an announcement on my local radio station from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife advertising the spring trout stocking. They are hurting for business! That means the tackle shops are hurting and so is the industry as a whole.
As it goes, the solution to this problem is the same, GET INVOLVED! Get the kids, wife, husband, neighbor, church group, ball team, coworkers and anyone else who isn’t otherwise tied down and take them fishing. One may wind up with a new fishing partner, but even better, they will have exposed others to a wonderful sport and helped to ensure the future of our favorite pastime.
Happy-go-lucky trout
The trout certainly have been enjoying the lack of angler participation. Although April did see some low stream water levels, the levels rebounded nicely in May and should be ideal for June fishing, especially after that mid May nor’easter. The last in-season trout stocking took place on May 23, but don’t let that be a deterrent to pursuing them. The streams are teeming with fish. Better yet, June is traditionally a time when most anglers hang up their ultra-lights and 4 weights, so there should be plenty of room for the serious anglers to access their favorite streams.
One spot that shouldn’t be missed is the South Branch of the Raritan River. Of course, the Ken Lockwood Gorge section will fish wonderfully this month, but don’t forget the water south of it, past the private stretch near Solitude Village. In addition to plenty of trout it is also loaded with quality smallmouth bass. These spunky and sometimes chunky bronzebacks will really put a bend in ultra-light tackle. Throw out a 2-inch floating Rapala and twitch it on the surface for explosive topwater strikes or tie on a small twister tail and bounce it along the bottom. It’s hard to beat smoke with a chartreuse tail, fish early or late in the day, for the best results for bass and trout.
Bassin’ time
Largemouth fishing will also be in full swing. June 15 marks the end of the closed spawning season. June in Jersey means post-spawn tactics, which can sometimes be challenging. After enduring the rigors of the spawn the big females will hunker down fairly close to their spawning flats to regain energy. Sometimes this means the next drop off, or it could mean a nearby weed-bed.
If weeds are present, lure selection should focus on those that can be dragged through snag-infested conditions, but can also be fish very slowly and methodically to give these lethargic bass a chance to hit the bait. The best choices are 4-inch worms rigged Texas style, Slug-Go’s, and weed-less spoons. This three-pronged approached should account for most of the fish. A buzzbait is also hard to beat, especially around dusk.
Enjoy this shallow-water fishing while it lasts. Soon the temperature will be 90 degrees and the fish will retreat to their deeper haunts. Go out and get em’ now!
The last and smallest wave of spawning largemouth in the Delaware River should have completed their acts of procreation by mid June. Many have already finished and have begun migrating out of the coves and into the main river, as well as the tributary creeks. Bass found in the creeks will have already spawned and are setting up for their summer patterns. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps get the nod from tidewater enthusiasts. These early summer bass are often the largest fish to enter the creeks for the summer season.
Panfish pandemonium
Sunfish, crappie and perch are active just about everywhere. Dough balls, worms and small minnows are the ticket and they will work under a bobber, ahead of a split-shot or with no weight at all. Sunnies and perch are a great way to introduce kids to fishing, so replace that gaming controller with a fishing rod and get out there and catch em’ up.
June on the Spoon!