Gone Fishin’ Photo by B. Cuthbert There’s no doubt that beaches and saltwater fishing are literally synonymous with Ocean County, but that’s not all this area has to offer. If you like spending a quiet day floating in a boat on a freshwater lake, casting to trout, bass or pickerel, Ocean County has you covered. You can find a wealth of information, including fishing seasons and regulations, at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s website, www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw. Trout anglers have three lakes and three rivers to fish in Ocean County. The 80-acre Prospertown Lake in Jackson Township offers plenty of shore angling as well as opportunities to fish from a canoe, kayak or johnboat. Shenandoah Lake’s 50 acres in Lakewood Township features plenty of amenities, including a boat ramp (electric trolling motors only). At Pohatcong Lake, covering 33 acres in Tuckerton Township, you can cast from shore or a boat (no motors permitted). Those of you who like fishing for trout in flowing water can hit Toms River, Metedeconk River North Branch or Metedeconk River South Branch. The best trout fishing is during the spring and fall, when the water and air are cool. 16 www.sparkexploreocean.com This is the Pine Barrens and pine trees produce a great deal of tannic acid, which ultimately ends up in the water. It’s not deadly to aquatic life, but some fish—such as bass—do not thrive in tannic waters. That’s not to say there’s none, but there’s not a lot. The king of acidic waters in the angling world is the pickerel. Its torpedo shape allows it to fly through the water to attack prey, and its mouth is lined with sharp teeth. As aggressively as a pickerel will hit your lure, it will also do its best to take off your thumb when you’re trying to remove your hook from its mouth. Manahawkin Impoundment 1 and Impoundment 2 in Stafford Township are super places to fish for pickerel, at 45 and 35 acres respectively, and both allow the use of electric trolling motors. Shenandoah Lake is another good bet for pickerel. Don’t let Ocean County’s name fool you into thinking there’s nothing to do if you like fishing freshwater. There are plenty of options for folks who don’t like the salt. Freshwater Fishing
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