Fishing Log

Shore fished at Bushkill caught 2 at 530 on small gold spoon and that was it.No fish or spawning activity,Water is low,warm,and clear.Probably last time out definitely low numbers this year.

Anyone have any thoughts on just how far North up the Delaware stripers make it? Enjoy reading all the updates. helps keep us in the game.

I am concerned about the lack of spawning activity I am not seeing.this time of year and especially with the low clear water and warm water temps they should be actively spawning now.I have been fishing from Smithfield beach to Spinners falls the last two weeks almost everyday and I am not seeing it.Something is definitely off.

Rob W - I only ever see minor changes this time of year. I always felt the shad are pretty much near where they are spawn by now. Historically in low clear water I would wade for them in rapids, 2.5 to 4' of water. They literally just lay in there waiting to spawn. Since they usually are right below spawning pools, they might move up into the pools at night. You definitely had a few good weeks or at least were able to string several good days in a row above Dingmans Bridge, but you were on the main northern body of fish. I was on those fish closer to the gap a bit before you. By the time your spots started producing well, it was back to spotty fishing just further south. The water was extremely warm this year by 3rd week of April and after a brief cool down, was back up to above normal temps again. That may have impacted movement as well. One thing I did not witness this year in spite of abnormally warm water was any noticeable spawning activity. I literally saw none. To me the run is "done" once they go into heavy spawn mode. It is done for me regardless - I had more fun catching stripers in the bay this spring and now the fluking is getting good. Till next season! Tight lines all

My overall summary of 2023 Shad run is "not good". Again - seeing it having peaked around 2017 in terms of numbers of shad surging north of water gap. Each subsequent year - getting a little worse than the prior. Had some excellent conditions most of this season but we did lose a week in may due to extreme floods. Had some epic or near epic days in boat, 50-60+ fish days, and really only one good shore session. The days of sitting in same spot from shore or boat and having thousands of shad pass by you are sadly over - you really have to move to get on them. Like any other year, they mostly strike when you get on them, I think lack of action is mainly due to lack of fish where you are set up. Some days had to really dial it down in size of lure and weight due to low clear conditions but those have always been my favorite conditions. It has been my experience that down cycles in shad runs are historically repetitive and can last up to 10 year before the bounce-back. What is more concerning has been complete lack of returning shad to spawn and the fact that they are all one and done. This was not the case during banner years and cycles. Hopefully DR shad fishing is NOT shut down - I do not think we have that much impact on the sustainability - but we can do better with how we handle them for sure. I saw far too many "hero" pics on social media this season with the death grip on the gills, blood running out of gills, and "safely released". Too many nylon nets - use rubber, and keep fish in net for picture. Shore fisherman - keep them in water do not take out of water. Just little things we can do to truly safely release shad, before the entire thing is shut down. (Hopefully not)

Fished barryville last 3 days with poor results.i stand on a rock at the top of a rapids sight fishing At this same spot for the last 40.years I see thousands and catch 50 plus a day I caught 2 saw 20 live and several dead but no activity or fish like normal and for this spot conditions are perfect.something is majorly.wrong!

Fished the Port Jervis area yesterday for around 2.5 hours changing spots, not even a bump. Talked to a couple other anglers, no shad for them yesterday.

Thanks for the update, Chuck mc. Some of us that travel an hour or better want it to be worthwhile. Just hope this isn't a long-term downtrend.

Narrowsburg PA F&B access water is low, only one small buck in last two days

5 today and 1dink walleye.

are there shad yet in the East Branch of the Delaware?

Last trip on the lower river caught 3 2 roe one buck on small darts .missed 2 more.all action from 6 to 730 then died completely.

Decent day today. Caught 17 up north plus 1 double.

Only had a short time to fish Lambertville this am today small gold spoon worked better than silver . Caught on buck on silver one buck and 3 small roe on gold still hitting when I left at 7 am.also stripers are here chasing shad and herring around.might have another week down here .

Caught 5 this am at Lambertville on my new favorite small silver spoon plus one nice walleye.3 small roe and 2 buck.like the last few times shut down at 730.

just wondering how high up on the Delaware the shad are on at this time, May 13

Another good evening on the river. Took a non believer fishing, who is now a believer. Boated 38, lost many. Water temp 63, plenty of debris, river still up, clarity getting better. Contrary to many, I think this is a terrific run this year.

5 from the boat out of Byram this morning. Much like the fisherman at Lambertville experienced, action shut down totally at about 9 am. Hoping for a few more days in my area.

I checked on the River below Lambertville for half an hour on the way home yesterday. No joy. I did catch one fish though, a first - I hooked a gizzard shad. I've snagged them fairly often before but this was the first time one actually ate a dart. Climate change?

6 more today plus 2 fallfish. Slow day for almost 3 hr outing. Tried darts spoons different colors just weren’t active.

Caught 13 out of 17 from shore at Lambertville on small silver spoon.about half and half also caught several herring lots of them around.river still a little high lots of debris but plenty of fish around.

Fished Zane Grey from shore today 4 - 6:30 pm hooked 7 landed 2 water temp. was 59.1 deg.

Another 6 Shad day plus 1 bonus smallie just shy of 20 inches that hit a green and white dart.

There r still plenty of shad in easton area.i catch them there every year into June with no crowds