MANASQUAN RESERVOIR

[Luna Sea 5]

Thanks for the lead Irish.. Here is what I found..


MANASQUAN RESERVOIR
Manasquan Reservoir really came into its own this past season as one of the state's top bass-producing waters. The reservoir's 770 acres of surface water have a maximum depth of 40 feet and average depths range between 10 and 20 feet. Parking is available, and there is excellent shoreline and boat access.



The reservoir not only has a first-rate largemouth population, it also possesses one of the better smallmouth populations of any reservoir found in the state. Smallies to 6 pounds have been taken from the reservoir and weighed on the scales of local tackle shops this past season. Not only that, but some hefty largemouths were taken from the lake as well. Manasquan Reservoir also has an excellent hybrid striped bass population that also keeps rods bent.



Plenty of consideration was given to the lake's fish populations when it was constructed. Stumps and riprap were left in the lake when it was filled. Additionally, brushpiles and fish-holding structures were placed in the reservoir after it was filled. Several good dropoffs exist in the lake, and the old creekbed is also a top fish-holding structure. Vegetation is still sparse in the lake. Recent catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass have been excellent and both fish populations are still vying for dominance.



Swimming plugs and crankbaits, both shallow-running and deep-diving versions, are some of the top lures used on the lake, especially in the spring when bass will suspend in 10 to 20 feet of water. Jigging is also a good method, especially when used around brushpiles and other debris located along the medium-depth dropoffs that are found in the lake. A good many of the bigger largemouths taken from the lake were pulled out of the treetops by anglers using plastic baits.



Originally the reservoir was supposed to have a 10-horsepower rule; however, the water company that runs the reservoir decided on electric motors only. Because of its size and nearness to the Jersey Shore (which often means it is windswept), make sure you have plenty of battery power when fishing the Manasquan Reservoir from a boat.

[IrishAyes]

Nice write up. Also, I believe there is an admission charge to fish there.

[wb]

Definitely a charge to launch but opportunities to fish from shore are there

[IrishAyes]

Warren, am I wrong in thinking this is a private reservour? Years ago someone told me that it was a private reservous and that it was privately stocked and an admission was charged to fish. Perhaps whoever told me that years ago didn't know what they were talking about. 

I have never fished there, that is why I didn't post anything other than what I thought to be true, the admission. I i am wrong about that, thanks for the real information. Don't want to be passing out any bad info.

[ped579]

Hi guys here is the poop on the park.

http://monmouthcountyparks.com/fishing_boating.asp

It looks like you have to pay for boat launch but only need a NJ fishing license to fish tghe facility.

[wb]

it is a Monmouth County Park I believe- maybe Ocean County...

[IrishAyes]

Thanks for the info Paul and Warren. All this time I thought it was a pay to play place. 

[hareball]

My favorite freshwater hole in the state

[Capt -Jerry P]

great fresh water place although they stopped stocking trout there

great large mouth and small mouth fishing. nice size fish are caught regularly.

i had the chance to fish for hybrids from a boat and boy the are fun chuming and chunking chicken gizzards near the dam....

[hareball]

i had the chance to fish for hybrids from a boat and boy the are fun chuming and chunking chicken gizzards near the dam....

I never fished near the dam. tat explains why I never pulled a hybrid up! From the ramp I always headed left and fished the trees and stumps then hit the little pond area for crappie, then the riprock for amallies.

[yogi192]

Wow this seems like a good place to freshwater fish and they even rent boats, kayaks, electric boats.  Awesome
Wished more places would rent boats.

I will definitely try to give this place a try as I try to learn to freshwater fish. 

[Fishin Dude]

F the boat, you can catch big ones from the walkway, if you know what you are doing! <'((((><

[Luna Sea 5]

great pics.

[Fishin Dude]

Big Fish from the REZ!!! My wife tells me to write a book!    Time better spent fishing and       <'((((><

[ChrisL]

Updated link to the park info

http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2531

[penturner]

WOW Fishin Dude!  Those are nice fish!    They were all taken at the handicap dock?

[Fishin Dude]

Yes they were penturner, how could you tell? Damn railing is a dead give away. I've also pulled nice fish from the small cove along the trail to the right. Rode my bicycle along the trail to the left, to the site of the original lake that was there prior to the reservoir construction , the next section of rip rap, as well as the rip rap by Chestnut Point, and various other sections from shore as well. I also fished it alot in my "Bass Boat" days. There are a lot of big fish in there, take your time to fish it right and you will find them, or, they might just come to you as well if you know learn their patterns. <'((((><

[Greg7]

Teach me your ways! haha

[penturner]

Thanks Fishin Dude,  I caught a nice bass inthe cove to the left of the dock, but nothing like those fish. 

[Fishin Dude]

Glad I could help. Its a fantastic fishery with some real monsters. <'((((><