Hello from Pa

Hi, I'm from Pa but saw a video on Youtube from one of the members here on his downrigger setup. I've been visiting a lake in New Jersey, one of only 2 in the state with lake trout, so any help or information I can gather here will be helpful. Maximum depth in the lake (Merrill Creek Reservoir) is at 235 feet, but the lakers can hang out anywhere from 25 to 100 feet. Big browns and rainbow trout too. So I look forward to learn some things and contribute anything I can. I'll have to take a closer look at what kayaks members are using here, I have a Viking Profish 400 I bought in January that I really like. Very easy to outfit with anything you need, and I'm maxed out now, so should be done.

Welcome!

Thank you!

Welcome aboard!

Very small world! I have a bunch of in laws from the Norristown / East Norton area. I have visited the area a few times, but never fished it. Seen a few anglers posing with 4 inch trout like they were trophies on a hike i was doing near valley forge. Is there some good size fish in the area? Would be interested in a little fishing during the holiday season when we visit if there are some nice ones to be found.

Thank you for the welcome. Maybe the people you mentioned had trout that came from Valley Creek, there is a native population of brown trout there, but no bait can be used. Most fishermen flyfish there. That is out in Valley Forge and runs through the park and also through the suburbs just above. I can't say the fishing is very good around here but decent. If you like catfishing, in the Schuylkill River there is an abundance of flathead catfish that somehow got in from reservoirs upstream, or came up from the Delaware River and got through the fish ladders at the dams. It's not unusual to catch fish in the 25 to 40 lb range, and nearby in the Perkiomen Creek one was caught on a nightcrawler that went 52 lbs. Depending on the time of year you visit, I'd recommend the catfishing (live sunnies with a weight to hold them in the current) decent fishing in the Perkiomen Creek for smallmouth bass, sunnies and big carp, or Marsh Creek Lake which is in Downingtown, north of Norristown by about 45 minutes. I go there a lot, it gets lots of pressure but has a healthy bass population and muskies as well.