2018 Freshwater Digest

[Mark B.]

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/digfsh.htm

[jrock]

if im not mistaken it says round valley and merrill creek are getting land locked salmon this year??

[Mark B.]

Yup.

On page 8:

"15-inch Size Limit for Landlocked
Atlantic Salmon for Trophy Trout Waters
The state’s two Trophy Trout Lakes were stocked
with both rainbow and brown trout until 2014
when Fish and Wildlife discontinued rearing and
stocking brown trout due to a disease at the Pequest
Trout Hatchery. Landlocked Salmon are closely
related to brown trout. The stocking of salmon
in one or both of the Trophy Trout Lakes fills a
void left from the discontinuation of brown trout
stocking, expanding recreational opportunities for
anglers interested in catching this novel sportfish.
In keeping with the “trophy trout” strategy for these
reservoirs, the 15-inch minimum size and daily
creel/possession limit of two in total for brown and
rainbow trout was expanded to include landlocked
Atlantic salmon."

[NJSquatch]

they will be unicorns is those huge water bodies

[Jigman13]

Hey Mark,

Any ideas on quantity stocked in each reservoir, when and what size?

Thx!

Jigman

[AndyS]

If they put LL in RV and MC why don't they say it ???

[Hookmanski]

I'm sure they'll be hard to find in those bodies of water, but I'm definitely going to try!! This is great news, very exciting. :D

[Chrisper4694]

so they're never stocking brown trout again?? mc had some monster hold over browns a few years ago. i'll be very surprised if the ll have as much success as the browns used to have...

[thmyorke1]

Why did they stop stocking browns anyways?

[Hookmanski]

Why did they stop stocking browns anyways?

A few years back the hatchery had an issue with a disease that really affected the browns.

http://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/index.ssf/2015/02/disease_risk_means_no_brown_br.html

[thmyorke1]

A few years back the hatchery had an issue with a disease that really affected the browns.

http://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/index.ssf/2015/02/disease_risk_means_no_brown_br.html

Im aware of that. But from what Ive heard they stopped stocking them due to other reasons?

[Dave B.]

The NJF&W Div. stopped stocking browns because they no longer raise any since the furunculosis outbreak at the Pequest hatchery. In time they may begin rearing browns again but a number of things have to occur before we get to that juncture.
Personally I'd like to see the return of browns to our stocked waters that are capable of holdover. I like their attitude, I like having some diversity in my quarry on a given stream and I prefer to fish waters larger than most of our WTS's are. Hence the reason myself and a few friends pool our resources each year and stock a 100 or so browns and tigers into a couple miles of a NJ trout stream to add some diversity to the state rainbow stockings.

[thmyorke1]

The NJF&W Div. stopped stocking browns because they no longer raise any since the furunculosis outbreak at the Pequest hatchery. In time they may begin rearing browns again but a number of things have to occur before we get to that juncture.
Personally I'd like to see the return of browns to our stocked waters that are capable of holdover. I like their attitude, I like having some diversity in my quarry on a given stream and I prefer to fish waters larger than most of our WTS's are. Hence the reason myself and a few friends pool our resources each year and stock a 100 or so browns and tigers into a couple miles of a NJ trout stream to add some diversity to the state rainbow stockings.

Thanks Dave but Im just wondering about RV specifically. When did they stop stocking browns there? 2015 when the furunculosis became an issue or earlier? I heard the brown trout there were killer so just wondering if just after 3 years of no stocking you see effects.

And I like that bonus stocking you do to supplement the waters. Highly appreciate that effort.

[NJSquatch]

Thanks Dave but Im just wondering about RV specifically. When did they stop stocking browns there? 2015 when the furunculosis became an issue or earlier? I heard the brown trout there were killer so just wondering if just after 3 years of no stocking you see effects.

And I like that bonus stocking you do to supplement the waters. Highly appreciate that effort.

I bet you can get this question answered at the Forum on 1/20 since they are talking RV Inventory.

[Drossi]

Im aware of that. But from what Ive heard they stopped stocking them due to other reasons?

The party answer is the disease at the hatchery. From whispers I've heard over the years browns are slightly more difficult (i.e. expensive) for the hatchery to raise. Now they have a ready made excuse not to stock them.

[Mark B.]

Furunculosis = The Answer.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I don’t believe furunculosis is the exact answer! Neighboring states stock Browns with the disease constantly and consistently year after year! On top of that they still have a thriving wild trout population.........

[Drossi]

I don’t believe furunculosis is the exact answer! Neighboring states stock Browns with the disease constantly and consistently year after year! On top of that they still have a thriving wild trout population.........

Correct.

[Mark B.]

I don’t believe furunculosis is the exact answer! Neighboring states stock Browns with the disease constantly and consistently year after year! On top of that they still have a thriving wild trout population.........

It is the exact answer.

The powers that be in NJDF&W decided that they did not want to take the chance of stocking the hatchery trout that were carrying furunculosis.

The neighboring states decided to take that chance.

[thmyorke1]

It is the exact answer.

The powers that be in NJDF&W decided that they did not want to take the chance of stocking the hatchery trout that were carrying furunculosis.

The neighboring states decided to take that chance.

Sounds alright to me. I just hope browns are clear to be re-introduced to the stocking program soon, I guess they're waiting for all signs of furunculosis to clear out of the hatchery?

Maybe they'll be re-introduced into RV?

[jaybird]

How often are private hatcheries tested for this disease? Cause I see alot of hatchery raised browns on this board that are caught in NJ ?

[Mark B.]

How often are private hatcheries tested for this disease? Cause I see alot of hatchery raised browns on this board that are caught in NJ ?

Annually.

Attention Commercial Hatchery Owners:

Commercial hatcheries seeking to be an "approved hatchery source" must annually submit a completed Fish Health History form, along with pertinent bacterial, viral or parasitological test results. For hatcheries obtaining fish from another culture operation be sure to secure the most current health testing and submit along with your Fish Health History form to avoid unnecessary approval delays. To remain as an approved source this information must be submitted, annually, to the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries no later than February 28 of each year to allow time for processing the numerous early spring stockings requests

[Chrisper4694]

How often are private hatcheries tested for this disease? Cause I see alot of hatchery raised browns on this board that are caught in NJ ?

most of the NJ brown trout you see caught here are wild (born wild, living wild) some times it's questionable, but most of the time you can tell the difference.

[Drossi]

most of the NJ brown trout you see caught here are wild (born wild, living wild) some times it's questionable, but most of the time you can tell the difference.

and they'll turn up in the strangest of places, even streams that you'd consider marginal trout water. Gotta love the brown trout.

[Mark B.]

Sounds alright to me. I just hope browns are clear to be re-introduced to the stocking program soon, I guess they're waiting for all signs of furunculosis to clear out of the hatchery?

Maybe they'll be re-introduced into RV?


Yes, ensure furunculosis is cleared from the hatchery.

And, cover all of the outdoor raceways to keep the birds (suspected source of furunc.) out. A big project.

All species of trout can then be raised & stocked.