fishing season - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

April 8,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Trout Season Opens Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 8:00 a.m . Anyone age 16 and older must have a valid license (see Exceptions) to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey with handline, rod and line, or longbow and arrow. This includes privately owned lakes and other waters. New Jersey does not require a general saltwater fishing license but there are a limited number of saltwater licenses and permits required. Additionally, most saltwater anglers need to register with the free New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishneed.htm

TROUT STOCKING HOTLINE: 609-633-6765
NOTE: Due to a delay in the printing of the Trout Regulation Signs a number of waters have yet to be posted. All waters have been and will be stocked as scheduled.

BROOK, BROWN & RAINBOW TROUT (and their hybrids and strains) April 8 at 8 a.m.–May 31 9 inches 6 per day
LAKE TROUT REGULATIONS Jan. 1–Dec. 31 15 inches 2 per day

Bergen County:
Dahnert’s Lake—Garfield (4) Hackensack River—Lake Tappan to Harriot Ave., Harrington Park (4) Hohokus Brook—Forest Rd. to Saddle River (4) Indian Lake—Little Ferry (4) Mill Pond—Park Ridge (3) Pascack Creek—Orchard St., Hillsdale, to Lake St., Westwood (4) Potash Lake—Oakland (3) Saddle River—Lake St. to Dunkerhook Rd., Fair Lawn (5) Tenakill Brook—Closter, entire length (3) Whites Pond—Waldwick (4)

New Jersey offers some of the best trout fishing opportunities you will find in the northeast – and fishing has never been better! And its not just a spring thing anymore. Stocking programs in spring, fall and winter provide for excellent year-round trout fishing opportunities in the Garden State.

A progressive trout stocking program results in nearly 600,000 trout, raised at the Pequest Trout Hatchery, being stocked statewide each spring, followed by additional fall and winter trout distributions. The average size of trout stocked in the spring is 10.5 inches in length and ½ pound in weight, but be wary and watch your line as thousands of 2 pound to 5 pound fish are also mixed in and stocked with the regular production fish. Talk about excitement!

Come October and November, New Jersey anglers can gear up to hook into some 26,000 super-sized trout, which measure 14 inches to 24 inches, and can be caught throughout autumn and winter. New Jersey also boasts two fabulous Trophy Trout Lakes. Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs both support monster rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. Round Valley supports perhaps one of the most southern naturally reproducing populations of lake trout and boasts the current state record of more than thirty-two pounds!

Another super bonus for New Jersey trout anglers is a lesser-known fishery for the elusive sea run brown trout. These fish, also raised at Pequest, were stocked in the lower freshwater tidal section of the Manasquan River within the Manasquan River Wildlife Management Area until 2013. From there, they migrate out to the ocean and return larger, and more silver in color. Scattered reports indicate fish over 20 inches in length have been caught.

Angler fishing access abounds in New Jersey, and this is where this small state has it big on many of its larger counterparts. The state Green Acres Program has been acquiring land by leaps and bounds and the Division of Fish and Wildlife has been the advocate for, and recipient of, thousands of acres of land specifically designated as fishing access. So if you want to fish for trout and are not sure where to wet a line, there is a good chance a spot is being held open for you by the state.

So what are you waiting for? With more trout being stocked and more places to fish, trout fishing has never been better. Just remember a fishing license and trout stamp is required to fish for trout for anglers age 16 through 69. And to make it easy, licenses and stamps can be purchased and printed online or obtained through one of the many license agents throughout the state. In just minutes, you can be on your way to spectacular trout fishing in the Garden State.

TROUT STOCKING HOTLINE: 609-633-6765

Trout Season Opens April 9, 2016

2016 Weekly Stocking Schedules

2016 Trout Allocations by Water and Day Stocked

2016 Bonus Broodstock Program

Fishing Access to Trout Stocked Waters by County

Trout Fishing Facts & Information (pdf, 31kb)

2016 Trout Regulations (pdf, 215kb)

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2016

Updates/Changes

The 2016 season is positioned once again to provide the normally superb trout fishing opportunities New Jersey anglers have grown to expect and appreciate. The average size of the stocked trout has already exceeded the baseline target for the entire season of 10.5 inches, and we still have several weeks before the first trout is stocked into New Jersey waters.

Ten Bonus Broodstock Lakes and the breeder stocking programs will once again provide plenty of trophy size fish within a short drive from anywhere in the state. Stream flows are roaring and the lakes and ponds are at full pool from the recent rains making all of the trout stocked waterbodies ready for the 570,000 rainbow trout raised at the Pequest Trout Hatchery.Rainbow Trout, including giant broodstock, will be stocked this springTrout Stocking Regulations signs are again equipped with QR Codes! A quick scan with a smart phone brings up the entire spring stocking schedule, complete with all seven weeks of stocking following Opening Day on April 9. The schedule includes day of the week and the number of trout stocked. This helped guide anglers to other fishing opportunities throughout the state right from their favorite fishing spot.

A new type of license is now available to anglers introducing a “Buddy” to freshwater fishing. The Fishing Buddy License offers both a current and a new angler (or two new anglers) reduced price fishing licenses! The discounted licenses are available to resident anglers ages 16 to 65, or nonresident anglers over age 16, who purchase their freshwater fishing license with a “Buddy.” Eligibility requires at least one new angler.Anglers are reminded that as a result of a disease outbreak at the Pequest hatchery (2013/2014) the division is rearing Rainbow Trout only. A silver lining to this is that studies have shown that rainbows are more aggressive and more likely to fall victim to a well-presented lure or baited hook, much to the satisfaction of more trout anglers, particularly on Opening Day.For those anglers who just love to catch Brown Trout or Brook Trout, there are still opportunities out there.

Waterbodies such as the South Branch Raritan River, Pequannock River and Big Flat Brook, (to name a few) have naturally reproducing trout in them that will surprise and delight many lucky anglers with their beautiful markings and coloration.There are also waters in New Jersey that remain cool enough to support trout year round and contain holdover Brook and Brown Trout from previous stockings. Releasing Brook and Brown Trout will help preserve these opportunities well into the future. These trout, in addition to the Rainbow Trout stocked this spring from Pequest will no doubt keep New Jersey as one of the top trout fishing destinations in the East.

Ten lakes received an additional helping of large broodstock through the State’s Bonus Broodstock program. Each year a different set of waters is selected statewide, and there’s bound to be an opportunity near you. These waterbodies generally receive 30 – 50 of these extra large trout.The odds of catching a big one are in your favor if you try one of these waters: Colonial Lake (Mercer), Crystal Lake (Burlington), Grenloch Lake (Camden), Lake Ocquittunk (Sussex), Mac’s Pond (Monmouth), Manny’s Pond (Hunterdon), Mt. Hope Pond (Morris), Nomahegan Park Pond (Union), South Vineland Park Pond (Cumberland), and Whites Pond (Bergen). Bonus Broodstock Details.Anglers should be aware that most trout-stocked waters are always closed to fishing during the 3 weeks leading up to

Opening Day (March 21 – April 9, 2016 at 8 a.m.). There are several waters that remain open for fishing: Lake Hopatcong (Morris/Sussex), Mountain Lake (Warren), Prospertown Lake (Ocean), Lake Shenandoah (Ocean), Swartswood Lake (Sussex), and the section of Lawrence Brook from Davidsons Mill Rd. to Church Lane are open year round to fishing.

Catch and Release Only, Seasonal, and Year-Round Trout Conservation Areas and designated Holdover Trout Lakes are also open to fishing. However, trout caught in any of these waters during this period must be released immediately. Note that, fishing is not permitted on Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on April 9, 2016.

Trout can be harvested from the state’s two Trophy Trout Lakes, Merrill Creek and Round Valley Reservoirs. Be sure to check the Freshwater Digest for regulations pertaining to these waters.Fish and Wildlife will place “Hook-a-Winner” jaw-tags on 1,000 Rainbow Trout stocked in the spring. Anglers who catch a Hook-a-Winner trout can claim their prize (a certificate and patch) by contacting the Pequest Trout Hatchery 908-637-4173 ext. 113.Each spring, the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery stocks over 570,000 rainbow trout into 88 streams and 88 ponds and lakes located throughout New Jersey. Nearly 1/3 of these trout, 183,000, will await anglers on opening day. No doubt more than a few of the 14-16″ trout stocked last fall or winter are alive and well, just waiting to be caught this spring. The majority of trout average 10½ inches but large breeders, measuring 15 – 21″, and weighing up to 5 pounds are also distributed in the early weeks of the season. The state’s sixteen major trout streams are stocked every week following Opening Day and are closed to fishing from 5 am to 5 pm on the day of stocking to allow the trout a chance to disperse.

All other waters are open to fishing on stocking days, following opening day, with most stocked at least three times. Since every county has waters that are stocked with trout, trout fishing opportunities are never too far away.Don’t forget that a fishing license and trout stamp is required to fish for trout if you are 16 years or older. Children under 16 and New Jersey residents 70 years and older can fish for free. Licenses and stamps may be obtained through one of the many license agents statewide, or online.

2016 SPRING TROUT STOCKING UPDATES / CHANGES3/1/16 – Hamilton Fire Pond (Monmouth Co.) – Dropped from stocking program.3/1/16 – Hooks Creek Lake (Middlesex Co.) – Returned to program as salinity levels for trout and other freshwater fish species have returned to suitable levels. The storm surge from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 pushed saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean into the lake resulting in unsuitable salinity levels.3/1/16 – Trout Brook – Hackettstown (Warren Co.) – Dropped from stocking program.Any deviations from the stocking schedule will be noted here, on the 2016 Spring Stocking Schedules page and on the Trout Hotline (609-633-6765).

Fishing Access to Trout Stocked Waters by Name

Trout Season Opens Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.

2016 Spring Trout Fishing Season Opened April 9th