New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

March 14, 2001

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds anglers that fishing of any type is prohibited at the Splitrock Reservoir in Morris County without the written permission of the owner, Jersey City. The current restriction is temporary pending the development of a boat launch facility that would allow access for boat angling with electric motors only.

"There has been a lot of public confusion surrounding Splitrock Reservoir since the DEP purchased a conservation easement in 1996 from Jersey City allowing access to the impoundment," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "The agreement grants the Department the right to construct a boat ramp, hiking trail and parking lot to provide limited recreational access to the reservoir property. However, the property is currently not open to the public and only upon completion of the boat access facility will angling be allowed."

Special regulations for bass have been adopted at Splitrock Reservoir in anticipation of opening the site to public angling. The Division felt it necessary that these regulations be in place prior to the reservoir opening in order to maintain the quality of the bass fishery there. These regulations appear in this year's New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest, freshwater fishing issue and have added to the confusion on the status of angling at Splitrock Reservoir. They are not meant to imply that the reservoir is open to angling.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife is currently compiling a report addressing various traffic, archeological and environmental concerns associated with the proposed ramp that have been raised by the local government. A time frame has not yet been set for completion of the project, however. The Division will make every effort to notify the public of the change in angling status once the project is completed.