REEL IN HISTORY FOR NATIONAL FISHING MONTH August 18, 2023
August is National Fishing Month! There are countless locations across the state of New Jersey to bait a line and cast your fishing rod! Did you know that there are also places where you can dive into the history of the state while you fish? Journey Through Jersey can help guide you to these special locations! Check out the examples below!
Batsto Village is a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center that is best known for manufacturing supplies for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War! The village also produced common household items such as cooking pots and kettles in the early years as well as window glass in the later years. Today, the history of the village is interpreted through the 33 remining historic buildings and structures. Self-guided and guided tours are available!
Wharton State Forest surrounds the Village and provided the natural resources needed for the historic iron and glassmaking industry of Batsto. The State Forest, now, has plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, and, of course, fishing! Pickerel, catfish, perch and sunfish are abundant in the numerous rivers, and streams. So, take a leisurely stroll through the historic village and cast out on your next visit to Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest!
For more information about the Batsto and the State Park, check out these resources: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandfor... and https://batstovillage.org/.
DELAWARE AND RARITAN CANAL STATE PARK
Spanning over 70 miles, 22 municipalities, and 5 counties, the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is significant for its nineteenth century canal that helped transport goods safely and quickly between Philadelphia and New York. History lovers will enjoy seeing the historic housing, locks, and bridges that are still standing throughout the park!
The Park is a part of the National Recreation Trail System and East Coast Greenway. It has also become one of central Jersey’s most popular recreational corridors! Visitors can enjoy boating, walking, biking, horseback riding, and bird watching.
Enjoy fishing? According to the website, “Fishing is permitted the entire length of the canal. Trout are stocked at various locations in certain portions of the canal during the spring months. Anglers will find bass, sunfish, catfish, perch and pickerel year-round. Access for fishing in the Delaware River is available at several locations. Fishing is subject to New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife regulations day-use visitors are asked to help us keep the parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in.” Reel in the historic experience and enjoy your day along the historic D&R Canal!
To learn more about the park and the opportunities available for fishing, refer to the park’s website: https://dandrcanal.org/.
Did you know that the Spanish-American War reached the coast of New Jersey? Constructed in 1896 in anticipation of the War, Fort Mott was a part of a three-fort coastal defense system meant to defend the Delaware River against enemy ships. American troops were regularly stationed at the fort from 1897 throughout World War I until 1922. Thanks to the efforts of the caretaking team (1922 to 1943), visitors can still enjoy exploring the emplacements, magazines, and 750-foot-long parapet on a self-guided tour! Visitors can also take a lovely walk along one of the Park’s many walking paths to Finn’s National Cemtery and the Hancock House.
After exploring the historic site, why not stop to drop a line in the Delaware River? The Park’s website states that, “Fishing is permitted in designated areas of the Park and is subject to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations...To legally fish at Fort Mott you are required to register as a New Jersey Saltwater Fisherman, which is free...” Properly-licensed anglers have caught everything from bass to flounder, to croakers and catfish. What will you catch?
For more information about Fort Mott State Park, please refer to the website, NJDEP | Fort Mott State Park | New Jersey State Park Service.
Long Pond Iron Works was founded in 1766 by a German immigrant who brought 500 ironworkers and their families to the United States to establish an ironworks “plantation.” The ironworks served the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, the American forces in the War of 1812, AND the Union Army during the Civil War! Furnaces, casting house ruins, charging areas, ice houses, waterwheels, and other structures are a part of the remains of the eighteenth and nineteenth century ironworks.
After a guided tour of the museum and the iron works, visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, biking, and boating all inside the Long Pond Iron Works State Park. Want to celebrate National Fishing Month? “Anglers will want to test their skills on Monksville Reservoir, known for its trophy size muskellunge, walleye, bass and trout. Additionally, Green Turtle Pond is stocked in the spring with trout...” Fishers and history lovers alike will find much to do in Long Pond Iron Works State Park!
These are only four examples of where New Jersey fishing and history collide. Browse other sites on Journey Through Jersey for additional recreational opportunities!
For more information about fishing regulations and fishing licenses in New Jersey, please refer to https://www.takemefishing.org/new-jersey/fishing-license/.