Is it dangerous to wade into freshwater without waders/protection?

  • Thread starter Thread starter EuniceSLange
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EuniceSLange

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I hope this question isn't too ridiculous.

Living in New Jersey, do I have to worry about any parasites or waterborn disease in freshwater that can be 'caught' from exposed skin? Waders are a little expensive, so I was thinking of just using some water shoes during the warm weather .
 
Is it possible ... I'd say yes but it's really slim but if you know the water your going into isn't really clean then I wouldn't be going in but that's just me.


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This is me in Mexico, been snorkeling since I was a kid in the 1950s, been everywhere from the Ameican Great Lakes, to the South China Sea, to Costa Rica.
I got a case of swimmers itch once in the 80s in Wisconsin, it went away in a day or so.
That said, I wouldn't go into Lake Victoria, fresh water in Nosey Be Madagascar or any known polluted waters.
 
More likely than not you'll be fine (unless you have some sort of immune system issue), but of course when you're dealing with microbilogy anything is possible. Fact is, a simple pin prick can potentially kill you. If you ever take a microbiology class, you'll probably be so paranoid you'll want to live in a bubble. More "funky" stuff tends to reside in warmer, tropical waters anyway.
 
If you cut yourself or already have exposed scratches and you're concerned about the quality of the water system don't do it because you may get an infection. Otherwise you're likely fine provided you don't spend 12+ hours submerged. Even then you'd probably be fine. I usually base it on how clean the water is that I fish in, some landlocked lakes i wont even wear shoes cuz idc if i cut myself, but if it's a questionable river I'll wear boots and limit my wading when possible (walk the river a bit and find a nice place on shore or protruding rock).

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I spent most of my youth in the water. My kids were swimming in a lake in upstate NY last night. Unless you are in the hudson you should be fine.
 
I cant tell you how many filthy bodies of water I ended up in as a kid. From jumping in every quarry I could find (almost lost my leg jumping 15' onto a submerged vw bug) to a quick cool dip fishing I wouldnt worry much unless you have preexisting issues or are somewhere notoriously sketchy as previously said
 
A pair of canvas shoes ( converse all stars) will be fine. I live in nj and walked in many lakes, ponds rivers and never had any kind of issue
Just protect your feet from being cut or scraped on rocks, branches , etc.

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As a kid, I waded in all sorts of waters in northern NJ wearing just sneakers. Lived across the street from a river. Waded in the Pompton, Ramapo, Wanaque, Pequannock, etc.
 
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