Chatsworth Lake Boat Access?
- Thread starter Old Crazy
- Start date
I see people parking on the side of the road and putting in here.
http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.81536812488254&lng=-74.54554080963135&z=17&type=nj1995&gpx=
http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.81536812488254&lng=-74.54554080963135&z=17&type=nj1995&gpx=
There is a wide shoulder to park there but the boat should be some thing you can carry across the street and over the guardrail. The 24' Grady White is a no-go here!
Can a small boat fit down the canal? I can't remember its depth but I think it is possible to back right up to it off of the highway.
Here...
http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.815127076800785&lng=-74.55236971378326&z=19&type=h&gpx=
Here...
http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.815127076800785&lng=-74.55236971378326&z=19&type=h&gpx=
Thanks everyone for your input. Looking at the lake from the road, in the northwest corner there is a sandy beach-like area. I was hoping somebody might know a way back there. The only access road I can find is private.
There has to be pickerel in that lake, but there is also plenty of structure, weeds and lilly pads that could support bass. I'd love to find out if they're there. That will depend on how acidic the water is and the availability of bait fish. I do catch bass at Lake Pemberton, so I have a sneaking suspicion they're in Chatsworth Lake as well.
There has to be pickerel in that lake, but there is also plenty of structure, weeds and lilly pads that could support bass. I'd love to find out if they're there. That will depend on how acidic the water is and the availability of bait fish. I do catch bass at Lake Pemberton, so I have a sneaking suspicion they're in Chatsworth Lake as well.
the canal is possible as I have kayaked it a number of times. There are a lot of downed trees and it is honestly much easier to put in right along 532 about 1/2 way across the lake. Dogg57 linked to a thread I did a little while back. Pickerel will be the main game in the lake.
Jeff
Thanks for the good info, guys. Like most freshwater fisherman I always target bass first, but I still enjoy catching panfish and pickerel. What's nice about pickerel is that you can catch them year round and they'll hit anything that moves. I actually catch most of my pickerel on topwater bass lures. I'd like to get my bass boat in there, but if I can't I'll use one of my kayaks. Since there's not much fishing pressure in that lake, there should be plenty of 20"+ pickerel.
I remember reading one of the books about the pines (Beck?) where they talked about the 19th century scam to sell property to city folks. It said they hired people to sit in boats on Chatsworth Lake (guess it was Lake Shamong back then) and repeatedly reel in the same fish to impress the suckers. 
all small fish ,very shallow ,you can walk across most of it .i go out there with a fly rod and a kayak once a year
Yeah, bass don't do so well in the pines because of the acidic water. I catch 'em at Lake Pemberton, but they're all small. It's just that when I drive by Chatsworth Lake and see all those tree trunks sticking up out of the water on the east side, I can't help but think, "What a great looking spot to pitch some jigs for bass."
I got down the canal into the lake last year with my kayak. I don't know whether there are any trees across the canal this year. Park your car near the canal. There's a good launch point just a little ways in close to the bridge. There's a cable across the entrance with no trespassing signs, so you can't back in, but the launch area is close to the cable. You are allowed to hike back there and to launch a boat; they just don't want anyone partying back there.
there are some big ones in Chatsworth Lake but they are few a far between (unless you know the spot)
Jeff gives us a clue where that spot is. Just look for all the mud and you know you are there.
And when it was, judging by the lighting. Nice chain, Jeff! Looks like you really worked to get this one. Gotta love the feel of PB muck between your toes!
John-
Always wanted to fish Chatsworth lake but was weary of all the no trespassing signs and the fact that I once saw two state troopers escorting a group of people back to the road. It did look like they were swimming and picnicking back there however judging by all the crap they were carrying. There are lots of big fish in the pines. Just gotta put your time in.
The bass below was from the Batsto River and was just under 18"
The bass below was from the Batsto River and was just under 18"
Also used to live around the corner from Pemberton Lake. There are some huge bass 20"+ and huge pickerel. I attribute this to the state feeding them trout twice a year. The big ones are few and far between and hard to catch most of the year due to the weeds and fishing pressure. Fall is best for bass there in my opinion and the colder months for the pics. No matter where you fish in the pines, being as weedless as possible is the key to success. And don't let water depths fool you. I caught my biggest pickerel to date in about 6" of water less than a foot from the bank.