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photos courtesy of the borough of Ho-Ho-Kus
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, New Jersey waterways will be freshly stocked with more than 180,000 rainbow trout, as well as larger broodstock, for anglers eagerly awaiting the beginning of spring trout season on Saturday, April 6.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, opening day of trout season begins on April 6 at 8:00 a.m! From April 6 to May 31, 2024 the minimum legal size is 9″ with a daily limit of 6 trout in most trout waters.
Continue reading Opening Day of Trout Season Begins on April 6 at 8:00 a.m!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, preseason trout stocking continues through April 8 at 8:00 a.m. Catch and Release of trout is also prohibited during this time period. (*See Exceptions below). Public waters NOT included in the trout stocking program remain open to fishing.
Continue reading Opening day of Trout Season Begins on April 8 at 8:00 a.m
photos courtesy of Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Randall
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Continue reading Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and Councilmen Greet Fishermen on Opening Day
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the pre-season catch-and-release period for trout closes today, Friday, April 9, at 11:59 p.m. with the traditional season opening tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, this year’s initial trout stocking began March 15 with waters opening on April 1 for the catch-and-release period. Stocking continued for four weeks and concluded Friday.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Beginning Monday, May 18, trucks will again roll out from the Pequest Hatchery to stock the remaining 50,000 11-inch Rainbow Trout in 31 waters throughout the state. Stocking will conclude on Thursday, May 21. There are no in-season closures and no need to wait until 5:00 p.m. on these waters.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Trout season is open and most waters have received their full allotment of trout. All regulations remain in effect except there will be NO IN-SEASON CLOSURES on the 14 major streams where they normally would be in effect. State Wildlife Management Areas remain open except for the Round Valley Reservoir boat ramp. Help keep WMAs and other areas open by observing proper social distancing!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Opening day of trout season: Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 8 a.m. To fish for trout or salmon, a valid New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp are both required for residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years of age plus all non-residents 16 years and older.
Each spring, approximately 570,000 rainbow trout raised at the Pequest Trout Hatchery are stocked into the state’s streams, ponds, and lakes. Nearly 1/3 of these trout, 184,400, await anglers on April 6 when the season opens. The majority of trout being stocked will average 10½ inches but large breeders, measuring 14 – 23″ and weighing up to 7 pounds are also distributed in the early weeks of the season.
Continue reading April 6th Was the Official Start of Trout Season in New Jersey
October 10,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fall stocking begins Tuesday, October 10 in 2017 and concludes on Wednesday, October 18. All trout are raised at the division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery. Any trout not caught during the fall will also be available all winter long for anglers to enjoy. Many are even caught the following spring.
Waters stocked during the first week of fall stocking are the 16 large streams and rivers in northern and coastal areas, such as the Big Flatbook, Pequest River, South Branch Raritan River, Musconetcong River, and the Manasquan and Toms Rivers. During the second week, 21 ponds and lakes in the central and southern portions of the state are stocked. All fall-stocked waters may be fished as soon as they are stocked (no “closed waters” during fall stocking).
2017 Updates
NOTE: Due to general low flow conditions some individual stocking points may not be stocked this fall. Stocking truck drivers will determine if each location has enough water to allow for stocking on the day of the run. If conditions do not allow for a point to be stocked, the fish allocated for that stocking point will be spread out among the other stocking points on that same river or stream as conditions allow. Please check the Updates for the latest information.
During the 2017 fall trout stocking season the Division of Fish and Wildlife will stock more than 20,000 trout in the state’s major trout waters. The fish will be stocked from the Pequest Trout Hatchery from October 10-18.
Trout measuring approximately 14″ up to 22″ in length and weighing one-and-a-half pounds to almost eight pounds will be stocked. These Rainbow Trout will be stocked in 16 streams and 21 ponds. The number of ponds increased beginning in 2016 with six waters moved from the Winter Stocking Program (see Updates) over the two-week period.
As in past years, streams (except the Maurice River) are stocked the first week, and ponds and lakes are stocked during the second week. The majority of streams stocked in the fall support holdover trout fisheries, providing anglers opportunities for larger trout to be caught year-round.
The stocking boundaries for streams are the same as in the spring (see the current Freshwater Digest for information). There are no closed dates during the fall stocking period. Updates to the fall stocking program will be posted as necessary.
BERGEN & PASSAIC COUNTIES
Wanaque River – 330
Ramapo River – 930
Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
By Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on May 14, 2017 at 9:32 AM, updated May 14, 2017 at 9:33 AM
Who says there aren’t plenty of fish in the sea?
In a boon for New Jersey fishers, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, part of the Department of Environmental Protection, announced last week that because of high productivity at the Pequest Trout Hatchery, extra trout will be added to each load of fish in state-stocked waters for the rest of the spring stocking season.
According to an email from DEP spokesman Bob Considine, approximately 4,000 additional trout were included in this week’s stocking. A similar amount is expected to be added to trout loads for the final two weeks of the spring stocking season. Considine added that every water stocked by DFW will receive some of the surplus trout.
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.
photos from Dom Nizza
Spring Trout Fishing Information
TROUT SEASON OPENS SATURDAY, APRIL 4 AT 8:00 a.m.
TROUT STOCKING HOTLINE: 609-633-6765
| 2015 Weekly Stocking Schedules |
| 2015 Trout Allocations by Water and Day Stocked |
| 2015 Bonus Broodstock Program |
| Fishing Access to Trout Stocked Waters by County |
| Fishing Access to Trout Stocked Waters by Name |
| Trout Fishing Facts & Information (pdf, 18kb) |
| 2015 Trout Regulations (pdf, 230kb) |
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2015
The 2015 season is expected to provide the normally superb trout fishing opportunities New Jersey anglers have grown to expect and appreciate. The average size of the trout stocked is greater than 10.5 inches, and the Bonus Broodstock Lakes and the breeder stocking programs provide plenty of trophy size fish within a short drive from anywhere in the state. Although snow and ice may continue to blanket the northern portion of the state our stocking trucks began rolling on March 16th on schedule. The late ice and snow melt is making for excellent stream flows this spring and the recent warming trend should help heat things up right before the season opener!
photos from Dom Nizza
New this year is all Trout Stocking Regulation signs are equipped with QR Codes! With just a quick scan from your smart phone the Division’s entire Spring In-Season stocking schedule will download right to your phone! The schedule is complete with all seven weeks of stocking following Opening Day on April 4, including day of the week and the number of trout stocked. This will help guide anglers to other fishing opportunities throughout the state right from your favorite fishing spot.
Anglers are reminded that as a result of a disease outbreak at the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery (2013/2014) the hatchery is now rearing Rainbows only. A silver lining to only Rainbow Trout is that studies have shown that Rainbow Trout 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 & 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 570,000 Rainbow Trout stocked this spring from the Pequest Trout Hatchery, will no doubt keep New Jersey as one of the top trout fishing destinations in the East.
Sharing opening day with a youngster can’t be beat.
Ten lakes receive 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: Amwell Lake (Hunterdon), Barbour’s Pond (Passaic), Echo Lake (Monmouth), Giampetro Park Pond (Cumberland), Holmdel Park Pond (Monmouth), Oak Pond (Camden), Ponderlodge Pond (Cape May), Seeley’s Pond (Union), Spooky Brook Park Pond (Somerset) and Sylvan Lake (Burlington).Anglers should be aware that most trout-stocked waters are closed to fishing during the 3 weeks leading up to Opening Day (March 16 – April 4 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 4, 2015. 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.Each spring, the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery stocks over 570,000 rainbow trout into 90 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.
2015 SPRING TROUT STOCKING UPDATES / CHANGES
Changes in the 2014 Fish Code resulted in the following waters being dropped from the trout stocking program: Farrington Lake (Middlesex Co.), Shadow Lake (Monmouth Co.) and Lake Takanassee (Monmouth Co.).Note that Farrington Lake was stocked in 2014 as part of the modified schedule
3/23/15 – Hamilton Fire Pond (Monmouth Co.) – Removed From Program – Hamilton Fire Pond is a privately owned pond in Monmouth County. The property owners allowed public fishing in the pond for years, but have decided to not allow fishing any longer. Therefore, Hamilton Fire Pond has been dropped from the 2015 Trout Stocking Program.
3/23/15 – Hooks Creek Lake (Middlesex Co.) – Suspended – Storm surge from Superstorm Sandy pushed saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean into the lake resulting in unsuitable salinity levels for trout and other freshwater fish species. Trout stocking for 2015 is again suspended as salinity levels in the lake are still too high for trout.
Any deviations from the stocking schedule will be noted here, on the 2015 Spring Stocking Schedules page and on the Trout Hotline (609-633-6765).
2013 Pre-Season Stocking – NJ Today Video Feature
2010 Opening Day – NJ.com Video Feature
Chanel’s Latest Hot Item: The Fly-fishing Rod
New Jersey trout season opener low-key after outbreak
APRIL 5, 2014, 11:20 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2014, 11:57 PM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Dylan Cordes hopped onto a concrete wall Saturday and started counting fish. It was easy. The moment his slim shadow fell across the water, the surface of Silver Lake in Park Ridge broke into a dozen concentric circles, known to all fishermen as the universal sign of fish caught lollygagging.
“Trout!” said Cordes, pointing. “There’s four. There’s another one right there.”
From the dam’s wall he scanned both shores. There was not another fishing rod in sight. For a few minutes on Saturday, the first day of the trout fishing season, Cordes had the entire lake to himself.
“I can’t believe there’s nobody here. This place is usually a zoo on opening day,” said Cordes, a fisherman for 18 of his 19 years. “This is a really weird year.”
Indeed, New Jersey has never seen a trout fishing season opening day like this one. An outbreak of disease among farmed fish forced state officials to radically change their procedures for stocking New Jersey’s waterways for this annual rite of early spring.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-jersey-trout-season-opener-low-key-after-outbreak-1.842404#sthash.anV3H6jm.dpuf
Spring Trout Fishing Information Season Opens Saturday, April 5 at 8:00 a.m.
Pequest Open House March 29 & 30; Opening Day of Trout Season Just Around the Corner – DEP News Release, 3/24/14
As the winter that would never seem to end finally draws to a close it’s time to start thinking trout!
Many anglers are aware the Division has been diligently working on this upcoming trout season for several months in respects to necessary adjustments to the program as a result of Furunculosisat the Pequest Trout Hatchery. The Division greatly appreciated input from anglers in respect to these changes as the Division sought to conserve and protect our wild trout resources and other year round trout fisheries while continuing to provide an attractive spring stocking program.
Although this has resulted in a number of changes to the Division’s traditional stocking program there are intriguing aspects to these changes that will offer unique opportunities for anglers this year. The Division reminds anglers that there are no human health risks associated with the bacterium which causes Furunculosis.
Over 250,000 trout will be stocked for Opening Day – 60,000 more than previous years!
87 waterbodies will receive more trout than ever before!
Rainbow and brown trout will be stocked for Opening Day instead of brook trout that most waters typically receive! A small pilot study completed by the Division last year demonstrated rainbows were caught 2 to 1 over brook trout in 8 ponds.
Four new river sections added to the program for this year only! In addition, two other waterbodies not scheduled to be stocked will receive trout this year.
Bonus Broodstock Program continues with ten lakes to receive 30 rainbow trout weighing in at over 5 pounds!
1000 jaw-tagged rainbows are being stocked as part of the Hook-a-Winner Program