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Delaware River Fishing Reports - 2005

The information below is compiled by Mark Boriek, Principal Fisheries Biologist at the division's Lebanon Field Office. Occasional reports this year, and previous years' reports, were from Gary Conner, the voice of the Shad Hotline. Please call the Shad Hotline 610-954-0577 or 610-954-0578 for the latest shad updates on the Delaware River.

6/1 Report
5/19 Report
5/18 Report
5/12 Report
5/10 Report
5/9 Report
5/6 Report
5/5 Report
4/25 Report
4/18 Report
4/10 Report
4/9 Report

They’re Out There, Still, and a Lot of 'Em! - 6/1 Report

The Hydroacoustic equipment at the Route 202 Bridge is being removed today. Although the final estimate of the 2005 adult American shad population will not be determined until mid-summer, it appears that the bulk of the fish migrated past the bridge May 5 – 15. See 5/19 Report.

There continue to be reported catches of American shad by anglers targeting river herring in the Trenton area. Shad have recently been caught at Bull's Island, Portland PA, the Delaware Water Gap, and Smithfield Beach, PA (two anglers there landed 50 out of 65 hooked, most at daybreak). Swimming shad can be seen in the low, clear water at these locations.

Most anglers contend that, at this time of year, the smallest shad dart (micro-dart of 1/32 or 1/64 oz.) or flutter spoon work best.

Every year, at this time, a former chief of the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries wades to his secret spot near Portland, PA, to shad fish with the same lure. Recently, in the middle of the day, he landed 6 (one was a large roe that had not yet spawned) of 12 shad hooked on a #2 silver Mepps spinner. That’s a pretty good size lure, so go figure.

"There are a lot of shad in that river," he said.

Hydroacoustic Update - 5/19/05

On Saturday 5/14 there was an especially heavy American shad migration event at the Route 202 Bridge. At least 100,000 fish were detected passing through on that one day. Final examination of the data may reveal a figure several times higher!

Hydroacoustic Report and Still Shad to be Had - 5/18/05

Angler with shadThe contractor replaced two of the transducers lost in the flood and had most of the Hydroacoustic equipment on the Delaware River at the Route 202 Bridge up and running again on 4/20. Another large tree was pinned against the pier at span three so no transducers were installed there.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission then assisted the contractor in removing the large tree. Transducers were then installed in span three. On April 28, 2005, all spans were being monitored for the first time this season.

From 3/16 through 4/2 just one small school of shad was detected on 3/27. A few migrating shad were next detected on 5/3 and 5/4. Large schools of American shad were detected migrating past the Route 202 Bridge on 5/5 through 5/15. This time period coincided with a river water temperature increase from 53° F to 70° F and a discharge decrease from 15,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 8,550 cfs.

On 5/8, a large circular school of fish, approximately 25 meters in diameter, was detected in span 2 close to the PA side of the river. This was unusual because, in past years, under similar low river levels, shad would always be detected in the deeper spans (the channel) close to NJ shore. These fish were not migrating, but appeared to be milling around in the same area. For these reasons, this school was not counted as American shad.

Due to flood damage, no data was collected from 4/3 through 4/19 and only partial data from 4/20 through 4/27. It is possible that large schools of shad could have migrated past from 4/13 through 4/27. The river discharge during this time period dropped from 27,100 cfs to 20,700 cfs. Past studies have shown that American shad do not migrate when river discharge is 30,000 cfs or greater.

Angler with shadThe Delaware River reached a maximum of 250,000 cfs on 4/4. American shad, holding during this extreme high discharge event, began to migrate again when the discharge first dropped below 30,000 cfs on 4/13. At this same time, the river water temperature reached 50° F and increased to 54° F by 4/27. American shad begin to hit lures at 50° F and this was reflected in increased reported catches at Easton, PA and above.

American shad are still being caught from near the Delaware Water Gap and upriver from there. Surface spawning activity has been observed in the early evenings. In fact the same Delaware River guide who fishes just below the gap contacted me with the following:

"Yes, we are still catching a good number of Shad. Yesterday we caught 10 Shad in the PM, this AM we caught 12 Shad, and this PM 8 Shad were caught. We have caught Shad every trip so far this year. The Roe Shad are ready to spawn in my area, they are weeping a greenish yellow fluid from their vent.

"I believe that over all, this year is one of the best years for the number of Shad caught per trip. We will be fishing for two more weeks and then do an average to see how this year compares to past years."

Another Delaware Surprise - 5/12/05

Brian with walleyeYou never know what you might hook into when fishing in the Delaware River. In April, trout are often pulled from the cold, big river on a shad dart or flutter spoon. They enter the Delaware via the NJ and PA tributaries that are stocked with trout each spring. This year's flood brought an unexpected bonus of tiger trout (see 5/6 Report).

As the water warms, other fish begin to stir like muskies, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and striped bass. Many nice walleyes are being taken such as see at right, and a 5.5 lb., 28-inch walleye was caught from a boat in the Delaware River at Trenton. While fishing for big striped bass by live lining alewife and blueback herring caught in the river that walleye inhaled a 7" herring.

And as for shad, the following was received on 5/10 from a professional guide on the Delaware River near the Water Gap:

"Yesterday (5/09) was the best day of the year, in the AM we caught 13 shad and in the PM we caught 17. I was off today, but I'll be back out tomorrow. I've caught shad every trip so far this year, and I hope the shad stay around to the end of May."

Hickory Shad in the Delaware - 5/10/05

Hickory shad, a species thought to be rare in the Delaware River, are now being caught in good numbers between Trenton and Lambertville, by American shad and river herring anglers. Similar to the aforementioned species, the largest Hickory shad is about the size of a small male American shad , 18 inches. The Hickory shad’s distinguishing characteristic is a lower jaw that is longer than its upper jaw and the fact that the fish immediately comes flying out of the water when hooked.

Both New Jersey and Pennsylvania (PA lists it as an endangered species) have a year round closed season on Hickory shad in the Delaware River. Any Hickory shad caught must be returned, unharmed, back to the river. (See Maryland's Web site for excellent comparison illustrations of both species.)

Temperatures are Good - 5/9/05

Water temperature in Trenton has reached 59° F and with the night air temperatures around 50° F or higher, warm south winds and day air temperatures in the 70's, this week may well be the best so far this year for shad fishing throughout the river. Water levels are below normal so the shad will be right in the channel. Good luck to all who make it out during the great weather we're having.

Unplanned Delaware River Trout Stocking - 5/6/05

Angler with two tiger troutThe September '04 and the April '05 floods both inundated the private Musky Trout Hatchery raceways in Warren County near the Delaware River. The brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout (the cross of a brown and brook trout) that were in those raceways are now being caught in the Delaware River and its tributaries.

The reported catches are:

A 5 lb. tiger trout from the Musconetcong River about 1000 yards upstream of the Delaware River confluence.

A 5 lb. and a 7 lb. tiger trout from the Pequest River at the base of the Belvidere dam.

A 15.5-inch and 20-inch tiger trout from the Delaware River just below the wing dam in Lambertville. (see photo, click to enlarge)

A tiger trout from the Delaware River below the Yardley, PA boat ramp.

A tiger trout from the Delaware River at Lambertville, caught in Lewis’ shad net.

A 6 lb., 25-inch brook trout from the Delaware River near the Old Wharf in Trenton.

A 12 lb. 12 oz., 31-inch brown trout from the Paulinskill River below the Columbia Lake Dam.

When the Delaware River warms more of these trout will be caught as they seek out, and become concentrated, in the colder tributaries. Pennsylvania biologists, too, have received catch reports of large trout, especially tiger trout, from the Delaware River.

FISHING REPORT - 5/5/05 - (from Gary Conner)

From the lower bay, netters report the peak of the shad run is still south of them.

Water temps have remained lower than normal; this should help extend the run all the way into June. Fishing pressure has been very light this year, not many reports coming in.

Lambertville, Steve’s netting reports seem to indicate the peak of the run has not reached his nets yet. Woody fished Lambertville, went 13 for 15 with 8 roe. In 4 hours.

Port Jervis, Bill reports a steady bite in the evenings.

Trenton, the herring bite is red hot. The 35 fish limit can be reached in less than half an hour. The problem is no one wants to stop herring fishing.

Stripers are still spotty. With water temps still below 60 degrees blood worm are still catching more big stripers than herring. The other problem, blood worms cost $9.00 a dozen, which means about $50.00 per man per tide.

Linden Ave. is still the hottest striper location around.

Keep reporting to connerfish@aol.com, or leave a v-mail, during the day, at 215-674-1117.

See you on the river
Tight lines
Conner

More To Come - 4/25/05
Catches of American shad have been reported all the way up to Narrowsburg, NY.

American shad must see the lure to strike at it, so last week's clear water conditions were ideal. With the river discharge below normal (13,000 cubic feet per second at Trenton), the majority of shad were migrating in the main channel. Boat anglers reported good catches. Shore anglers who found a spot where the channel was within casting distance of the shore were also successful.

River conditions have now changed. This past weekend’s rain increased the river discharge to just over 20,000 cfs at Trenton. As showers are now predicted, the discharge is expected to fluctuate from 20,000 to 25,000 cfs through Thursday 4/28. This discharge is above the average of 17,650 cfs, so shad fishing conditions should improve for shore anglers as the migrating shad hug the shorelines to avoid the strong current in the main channel.

The rain has, and will, reduce the water’s clarity. It is important to regularly clean the line and lure of any accumulated debris.

Delaware Bay Waterman Captain George Kumor, out of the Maurice River, is still catching some shad. The 200 lbs. / day he's getting is just the amount he now needs for his business. Due to the flood, he was also catching some carp in his nets. He feels that the bulk of the shad run is now further up the bay, probably near Fortesque, NJ.

Hopefully, by the middle of this week, the lead fish of that main school will arrive in the Trenton area. Showers and a warming trend are predicted through the weekend. There should be good shad fishing into the first week of May.

They’re Back! - 4/18/05

American shad in the Delaware River, that is. Right now anglers are catching shad and conditions are only expected to improve: The water is clearing up and at a level where it should be this time of year. The water temperature is 53°F (50°F and above is when shad hit at lures) and warmer weather is forecast with only a 30% chance of showers next Wed. (4/20) night.

A boat angler at the mouth of the Lehigh River in Easton had catches of 13 bucks and 14 roes (up to 23 1/2 inches) in the last two days. He lost another 8 fish.

Barnes – Williams Environmental Services of Binghamton, NY, set up the hydroacoustic equipment on the Delaware River at the Route 202 Bridge on 3/16/05. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission assisted in removing debris that had accumulated at the bridge piers. One tree was too large to remove; therefore no transducers were installed in span three.

  Through April 2, 2005 one small school of American shad was detected in span four on 3/27/05. The recent flood shorted out the equipment and washed away two of the transducers so no data has been collected since 4/2. The contractor expects to have the equipment up and running again in most of the spans by 4/15.


Delaware Bay Waterman, Captain George Kumor, 6'2" (for size reference), caught this 28- inch, 10 lb. roe in his pound nets on 4/1/05. Its stomach was full of grass shrimp. Keeping only the fish he needs for his business, George recently caught, and released, a 13.5 lb. roe back to the bay. If caught by a recreational angler, that shad will break the existing NJ state record by 2.4 lbs.

Steve Meserve, of the Lewis Fishery in Lambertville, has reported some American shad catches. He will resume netting on Friday 4/15 at 5:00pm, and Saturday 4/16 at 10:30am.

See www.woofish.homestead.com/FISHREPORTS.html for American shad fishing reports.

FISHING REPORT - 4/10/05 - (from Gary Conner)

LOTHAR INVITED ME FOR A LITTLE FISHING AT NESHAMINY RAMP THIS MORNING. WE CAUGHT THE EBB TIDE AS PLANNED.

AS SOON AS WE LEFT THE COVE WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE A DIFFICULT DAY TO FISH. THE WATER IS THE COLOR OF BROWN GRAVEY WITH EVERYTHING NOT TIED DOWN FROM UP RIVER FLOATING IN IT. TREES, DOORS, GAS TANKS, PROPAINE TANKS, BARRELS AND LARGE PARTS OF HOUSES ARE MOVING ALONG HOPEFULLY SOON TO THE SEA. AFTER 6 HOURS OF FRUSTRATION AND ONLY 4 CATS FOR OUR TROUBLE WE CALLEDIT QUITS.

LOOKS LIKE MID TO LATE WEEK BEFORE THE RIVER IS REALLY FISHABLE. ONE GOOD SIGN, WE SPOTTED MANY DOZEN CORMORANTS FLYING AROUND THE RIVER. THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE IF THE HERRING WEREN'T.

NEXT WEEK END WE PLAN TO DO SOME LIVE LINING.

SEE YOU ON THE RIVER

TIGHT LINES
CONNER

SHAD REPORT - 4/9/05 - (from Gary Conner)

THE RIVER IS STILL OUT OF SHAPE.

THE TRENTON POWER PLANT IS A SEA OF MUD THAT SUCKS AT YOUR BOOTS. THE ONLY REALLY ACCESSIBLE SPOT IS ON THE JETTY.

GOPAL LANDED ONE SMALL STRIPER, NO SHAD FROM THE MUD.

LOTHAR REPORTED FROM NESHAMINY THAT THE WATER TEMP WAS 55 DEGREES. ONE CAT FISH, NO SHAD.

NESHAMINY RAMP IS NOW PRIVATE, A $10.00 LAUNCH FEE OR $75.00 SEASON PASS IS NOW REQUIRED.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, JIM REPORTED 2 SHAD CAUGHT IN EASTON. THEY WERE HOWEVER DISQUALIFIED SINCE HE CAUGHT THEM IN THE FRY BASKETS INSIDE THE MC DONALDS. STEVE, FROM THE LEWIS FISHERY, REPORTED HIS ISLAND WAS UNDER WATER.

As of 7pm 4/6 the water was still too high to get to the island safely. I'm hoping that the rains will hold off until I can get there late this afternoon. It looks like we got about 3' in the living area of the house and around 5' in the fishing cabin. We will start fishing again as soon as the river lets us. We brought the bare necessities over from the island before this all started.

FROM MY OBSERVATIONS TODAY, THE RIVER SHOULD BE IN FISHABLE CONDITION BY MONDAY OR TEUSDAY IF WE DON’T GET ANY MORE RAIN. WITH GROUND CONDITIONS THIS SATURATED ANY RAIN IS PROBLEMATIC. NOCKAMIXON MIGHT BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE; THE SPRING BASS BITE IS REALLY STARTING TO TAKE OFF.

WHERE EVER YOU GO REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR PFD AT ALL TIMES THIS TIME OF YEAR. WITH WATER TEMPS IN THE FIFTYS YOU WON’T LAST LONG ENOUGH TO BE RESCUED WITHOUT IT ON!!!!! TIGHT LINES
CONNER

2004 Reports
2003 Reports
2002 Reports
2001 Reports

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Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: June 1, 2005