Lake Lenape - Mays Landing

[circlehook]

Can anyone give an overview of this lake? What's in there to catch, seasonal patterns, what results in a good spot (ie weedlines, stumps, fallen trees, etc.). Without giving exact spots of course.

I know the herring run up to the spillway in the spring but Im gonna canoe down from Rt322 or Acisiga and bring my pole w/ a bucket of minnies?? I imagine as the river widens out there has to be some productive spots. I live too close not to try it.

Also, how is the land based fishing around the lake? One side appears to have decent access while the other looks private. Thanks.

[hipkvw]

Never fished it from Land. TONS of Pickeral and Bass. I hear the crappie and perch fishing is great but never tried for them. Caught a few Bass over 5 pounds there. Only been there maybe 6 times so I can imagine the guys that fish it regularly catch some nice fish. Many good fish in the 2-3 pound range. Caught the bigger fish on Jigs and spinnerbaits. Had a monster on a buzzbait but she threw it at the boat. If the Bass arnt too active go into the shallow coves and throw on a zoom or Fin-s. You will catch so many pickeral you will get sick of them. They are nice size too. Poppers work good on the shallows for Bass and pickeral. Rubber worms and especially Senkos around structure/stumps will keep you busy too. Good Luck!

[Fly Ty R]

Working down from Weymouth Furnace (I guess that's what you're talking about when you say Rt. 322), there are lots of little bass and pickerel in the river. Why they never stocked that area with trout is beyond me. That's one of the areas I started practicing fly fishing and I caught a few small fiesty bass. As you get into the lake itself it opens up into a more marshy/braided channel type of habitat. Bass and picks abound in there. Sluggos, poppers, spinnerbaits, and jigs work best. Keith covered the lake pretty well already. There is some limited shoreline access, mostly at the amusement park and the Alantic County Park area. The County park offers much better shore fishing, though. You have to pay to get into both, however.

[ 02-14-2005, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Fly Ty R ]

[circlehook]

would seem like a good trout stream. maybe bank access is the issue?

yeah, I could throw in at the furnace or palace pizza. Or even further down by the camp. First time though Im gonna make the long trek for the fun of it and to scout some. I figure I"ll take a small travel pack of lures and a few dozen minnies. Who knows? Should I try the river or should I just head for the top of the lake?

[Jerseyjoe]

Its got great bank access from the park side in the spring but there are campsites that are used in the summer. The other side has housing. Its a great lake to fish but it can be tough in the summer with the go fast boats and waterskiers. I would recommend fishing from a boat. I have been in the back of the lake where the stream comes in from RT 322 and its a nice boat ride.

[Fly Ty R]

Circle:
The upper Maurice in Vineland/Pittsgrove has just about the same amount of limited access and they stock that with trout. I have never figured that one out. They are both very similar streams at that elevation, too.

[Jerseyjoe]

Great question Fly Ty R. Another trout stocked lake would be nice in Atlantic county.

[circlehook]

yup, very similar. Ive trout fished the Maurice and done ok. I just hope the top of lenape produces like the top of union. the mo is a fun canoe ride.

The ranger said I can land my canoe w/o a pass/permit if I come from up river. If you launch and land from the park, you need to pay. I"ll have to try it in a month or two.

[Far26]

Circlehook I can give you a lot of detailed info but your email is not available. You can email me if your interested.
I fish Lenape often and know the waters well.
Trout stocking would be nice but I would love to see the state stock hybrid stripers in Lake Lenape. There is plenty of life to support hybrid bass and they are sterile so the numbers would be controlled. Why should our northern lakes get all the fish?

[ 02-15-2005, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: Far26 ]

[rockdoc]

Fly Ty R---
Could you tell me any general access points to the upper Maurice??? Not asking for secret spots; can email me if more comfortable.....thanks---Mike

[Fly Ty R]

No secrets for the Maurice, really. Bank access is so limited that aren't many places to go anyway without a canoe/kayak. Get a good Cumberland or Salem County map and check out the bridge overpasses between Vineland and Pittsgrove Twp. Garden Rd, Almond, Landis, etc... Most of the fish stay near these stocking points anyway, though I've seen trout way back in the woods on kayak trips even in the summer.

[stonefly]

Definately take the trip from the furnace. At a slow "fisherman's" pace your about 3.5 to 4 hours from there to the new boat ramp. I do this trip about once a week throughout the spring. Its also beautiful in the summer, until you hit the lake. some of the guys are a little meatheaded in there ski boats when they see "noes" and "yaks" and they can get you a little frustrated. Great paddling, decent fishing, arguably the most beautiful river in south jersey.

[circlehook]

thanks stonefly, sounds awesome. Im going for sure.