South Jersey Boating and Fishing

Whether you are an avid angler, a passionate paddler or merry motorboater, you can do it at one of South Jersey's numerous streams, and waterways which offer everything from mirror-like calm to wild and wooly white water.

The rivers and streams running through the Pine Barrens are favorites of canoeists and kayakers. With the scent of pine and cedar wafting through the air, the waters of the Mullica, Batsto, and Oswego vary from calm to lively giving paddlers the right challenge for various skill levels. Don't have your own canoe? There are several outfitters throughout the Pine Barrens that can set you up with the right equipment.

The gentle waters of Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove are another favorite destination for canoeing where you can paddle along Muddy Run through a number of natural areas. Launch your own canoe from the public launching ramp or rent one at the Park's outfitters. You can even try to catch your own dinner. Bass, yellow perch and pickerel are plentiful at Parvin.

If you know your way around a reel and a creel, the Glassboro and Winslow Fish and Wildlife Management Areas are popular destinations for a quiet day of fishing. But for first-time fishermen and women, L.L. Bean can help. Stop by their Marlton store at The Promenade and enroll in their summer fly-casting. Held at nearby Atsion Lake, you can learn the basics from the pros in just a few hours. You can also pick up some tips on kayaking.

After you've learned the basics of fishing, the whole family can bait their hooks for New Jersey's annual Free Fishing Days. Children ages 15 and under never need a fishing license in South Jersey, but for two days each June, even parents can get in on the fun without the usual fees and licenses.

Motorboaters have discovered they can have fun on the land and the water at Wiggins Park Marina, at the Camden Waterfront. You can spend a day boating along the Delaware River, enjoying the Philadelphia and Camden skylines or come dockside and check out the new Adventure Aquarium, the Battleship New Jersey, and other popular family attractions along the Camden Waterfront. 

Pictured: Wharton State Forest
Courtesy Pinelands Preservation Alliance