A double-digit blackfish was landed by the hardy tog fishing faithful. Meanwhile, with all the cold temperatures, ice fishing is taking shape on the state’s big lakes to the north and a traditional ice fishing contest is set to resume.
But first, an important development occurred on the regulatory side of things. NOAA tabled its proposal to expand the current speed limit rule protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale after two years of public debate. The rule would’ve included smaller boats and expanded the size of seasonal management speed zones considerably.
For boaters here, the zone would have stretched from the shoreline to the canyons, and captains of boats 35 feet and up would’ve had to obey a 10-knot speed limit in the zone from Nov. 1 to April 30. However, NOAA said “in light of numerous and ongoing requests from the public for further opportunity to review and engage with the agency” it withdrew the proposal it initiated on Aug. 1 2022. NOAA received about 90,000 public comments.
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The current speed rule still applies to boats 65 and up in 10 seasonal management zones, mostly located near the entrance of the busy East Coast ports. Here, the zones are at the entrance to New York harbor and Delaware Bay.
Blackfishing
Sunday and Monday were the days the few for-hire boats that are still fishing went out. Sunday turned into a nice calm day on the water. Capt. Chris Dos Santos on the Sea Owl had an angler land a blackfish over 10 pounds on the trip. Overall, he said the tog bite has been a challenge with water temperatures fluctuating between 38 and 48 degrees inshore.
The Big Mohawk was out on Sunday and fished in water depths from 75 feet down to 135. The fish were home at most locales but the bite was never more than a pick that anglers had to work at to materialize. A few keeper blackfish were boated along with some ling.
For the weekend fishermen will see predominantly west winds and pretty calm seas but the foul weather gear should be brought because there could be rain and snow showers.
Ice Fishing
For the first time in a few years the Knee Deep Club will hold its annual ice fishing contest on Lake Hopatcong. Things could change, but as of now, the contest is a go for Jan. 26.
More:What’s biting: get the latest fishing reports here
Laurie Murphy at Dows Boat Rentals at Nolans Point said there is at least six inches of ice cover at the state park in the southwest corner of Lake Hopatcong. The Great Cove by their location has four to five inches of ice. The deepest parts of the lake are freezing over now too, and it might be solid enough by the weekend for the auger-carrying anglers to drill into it.
Murphy said fishermen have been fishing the shallow coves and picking away at the perch and pickerel.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.
