Delaware River at the Water Gap

For about 40 miles above the Delaware Water Gap, the Delaware River winds between New Jersey and Pennsylvania through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, 70,000 acres of parkland protected as the Middle Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. The river is mostly slow-moving, broken by riffles and rapids. With no dams anywhere on its main stem, migratory shad and stripers reach the park, and the river holds a deep bench of resident fish: smallmouth bass, walleye, muskies, catfish and wild trout.

When to fish

• April and May: the American shad run, as long as flooding rains don't blow out the river.
• May to October: smallmouth season. They bite best when the water is in the 60s and shut down after a sudden cold snap.
• Summer: in hot years, migratory stripers get "boxed in" upriver and hold in cold spots until they head back to sea in October.
• Spring to fall: channel catfish, best early, late and after dark.
• July and August, plus spring and fall: wild brown trout drop into cold creek mouths after heavy rain.
• December to March: walleye gather in deep pools and eddies. NJFW notes winter walleye fishing on the upper Delaware can be quite productive.

Where to fish

• Boulders, rocks and island points: smallmouth structure. The smaller fish roam the sandy flats; the 10-inch-plus fish hold near hard cover.
• Where fast water spills into a slow pool, and eddies behind logs or depth changes.
• Deep holes and creek mouths: where summer stripers and rain-swollen browns find cooler water.
• Deep pools below shallow runs: for catfish, and in winter for walleye.
• Mountain streams in the park: small, clear, hemlock-shaded brooks with wild brook trout.

How to fish it

For smallmouth, cast 4- to 5-inch crankbaits, soft-plastic stickbaits, spinnerbaits and small inline spinners behind boulders and into eddies. Catfish take cut fish and chicken liver fished on the bottom in pools, though they also feed in shallow riffles. For walleye, jig swimbaits, twister tails or shiners near the bottom; muddy water can help, and at night walleye move shallow where stickbaits work. Muskies hit big shiners, spinnerbaits and spoons. For trout, try nightcrawlers and blade baits.

Getting there

There are boat ramps on both sides of the river and plenty of shore access, though banks can be muddy, rocky or brushy. Either state's fishing license covers the river from shore to shore, but each state's rules apply on its own side of the centerline, and licenses aren't sold in the park. Park rules ban some live baits (crayfish, clams and similar), children 12 and under must wear a life jacket on any boat, and everyone in a boat under 16 feet must wear one from November through April. Fish consumption advisories are posted for this stretch.