Delaware smallmouth and Mullica stripers both holding steady

What's biting

What's next

With flows already low and no storm in the data, expect continued clear, stable water into the weekend, favorable for sight-fishing smallmouth on the Delaware's rocky stretches near Lambertville. The 63°F readings on the lower gauges suggest water is still mild enough to keep smallmouth feeding actively before the seasonal cooldown pushes them into deeper holding water later this month.

On the Mullica, striped bass activity above the tide line should hold as long as baitfish continue moving through the system, worth timing trips around the Waning Crescent moon's lower-light early mornings and evenings this week.

Keep an eye on any new rain in the forecast, since the Pine Barrens' sandy, slow-draining soils mean even a modest storm can discolor these tannic waters for days.

Context

Early October is the transition window for this region: Delaware River smallmouth typically stay active into the 50s before shutting down for winter, so current readings are right on schedule. Pine Barrens cedar-water systems like the Mullica run naturally tannic and slow, and striped bass pushing above the tide line in fall is a normal seasonal pattern as baitfish move through the estuary. Nothing here points to an early or late season relative to typical NJ freshwater timing.