Great Bay may be one of the most underrated fisheries in New Jersey.

Every 24 hours the water is recycled back into the ocean preventing the bay water from growing stagnant and bringing in more fish. Giving anglers more opportunities to catch fish that cycle through with the tide.

However, Great Bay offers plenty of things to do than just fishing.

Bird Watching

Just like fish species in Great Bay, there are a myriad of bird species to view while walking down Great Bay Boulevard.

From the parking area at the end of the peninsula, walk to the edge of the bay with your binoculars and spotting scopes for views of the wintering rafts of waterfowl on the bay.

Look for mergansers, buffleheads, and old squaws. These birds feed on crabs, mussels, and clams, especially when the tide is low.

During the spring, summer, and fall, anywhere along the road to scan the marshes and mud flats and find sandpipers, willets, plovers, yellowlegs, oyster catchers, black skimmers, and ospreys. Look for brant in the fall and winter, and American black ducks, northern harriers, gulls, and terns during any season.

Bike Riding

The scenery of the salt marshes and canals provides an excellent place to ride a bike down Seven Bridges Road. It’s about an hour round trip from start of Great Bay Boulevard.

The 6 miles of terrain is decorated with the Atlantic City skyline, the saltwater marshes, and the old fish factory in the distance. Many residents and non-residents travel to bike, walk, and run the Great Bay boulevard because of it’s iconic views.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Terrapins crossing the road in the summer time!

Warning: Check the forecast forecast. Bugs in the summer will stick to you like white on rice if the wind is dead.

Bug spray is non-negotiable. We warned you!

Fish Factory

The Fish Factory, also called the “Stink house” by locals, is a derelict fish processing plant that was abandoned in 1973.

It’s original name in its hey day was called “The Crab Island Fish Factory“. Bunker boats used to haul their catch to the factory to process into fertilizer, pet food, and bait.

Warning: It’s hazardous to traverse the decrepit piers and unstable ground. However, if you have a boat you can safely view the mysterious fish factory from afar.

Anglers can also target blues, striped bass, and fluke around the good old stink house.

Although Great Bay is well known for its fishing, we like to think it’s much more than a fishing spot!