Anglers wetting a line in the Upper Delaware River for the first time
are surprised to discover the broad range of fish species inhabiting
these waters. The dominant local fish is the smallmouth bass. However,
there are large populations of rainbow and brown trout, walleye, striped
bass, muskellunge, largemouth bass, carp, catfish and the biggest
bluegills you can imagine. In May and June, anglers from throughout the
Northeast come here to fish for the American white shad during its
annual spawning run. These worthy cousins of the herring are real
battlers and can tip the Toledo from three to 11 pounds.
The
tributary Lackawaxen River is primarily a trout stream although it also
holds fair numbers of smallmouth bass. The trout will take baits such as
salted minnows, worms shiners, grubs and helgramites. They’ll also hit
many different spoons and spinners as well as small Rapala-type plugs.
Fly fishermen score well with dry flies, streamers and nymphs. Early
hatches include the Quill Gordon, Hendrickson, Female Beaverkill, Black
Stone Fly and Olive Caddis. These are followed by the Adams, Light
Cahill, Sulphur, Trico, Blue Wing Olive, March Brown and others.
Favorite streamers in the Lackawaxen are the olive or black Woolybugger,
the Black-nose Dace
and the Clouser Minnow in orange and brown. Woven-body nymphs in
brown and yellow or black and yellow work well as does the Amber Stone
Fly.
Most of the river is open to
public fishing. Two smaller streams that are worth an angler’s
attention are the Shohola Creek and the Mast Hope Brook. Both are within
a short drive from Lackawaxen and are stocked by the Fish Commission.
The Mast Hope Brook also has a good number of wild native brook trout.
Both Shohola Lake and Greeley Lake are open to the public and boast
substantial numbers of hefty largemouth bass as well as plenty of
panfish.
For more information, call
(570) 685-2010.
