Updated Trout Stocked Waters

[Billfish715]

Which trout stocked waters do you think can be removed from the stocking list? Which waters can afford to have their allocations reduced? Does the state need to stock trout in lakes that are managed for muskies? Should lakes with very limited shoreline access have their quotas reduced? I know that the numbers of stocked trout have been the same since forever. Shouldn't there be an updated accounting? What are your ideas?

[thmyorke1]

Good question. Id reconsider the stocking points that lay on Wild Trout Streams. I cant say much about other bodies of water. There's such a large # of spring stockies that it's understandable how they're tossed everywhere to make all the anglers of the state interested.

[AndyS]

Any water listed NO KILL should get NO TROUT.

[akoop]

Any water listed NO KILL should get NO TROUT.

The issue is that many trout are lost to predators and poor water conditions during the summer so I feel they should still be stocked. Fishermen are not the only reasons that trout disappear.

[Lard Almighty]

The issue is that many trout are lost to predators and poor water conditions during the summer so I feel they should still be stocked. Fishermen are not the only reasons that trout disappear.Then why have a no-kill stretch at all? If the fish are going to die to predators or temperature anyway, why not allow anglers to keep them before that happens? :confused:

[Drossi]

Then why have a no-kill stretch at all? If the fish are going to die to predators or temperature anyway, why not allow anglers to keep them before that happens? :confused:

PA does it better with delayed harvest sections vs. no-kill

[RWole]

Remove trout stocking from the urban/public ponds. Trout are taken before opening day, people fishing without licenses.
The conservation officers are spread thin enough and can not patrol the entire state every day. This
stock fish in urban areas plan to try to increase interest or license sales does
not work but yet some good lakes in Sussex, Morris and Passaic Counties
have been dropped from stocking over the years.

[Dave B.]

PA does it better with delayed harvest sections vs. no-kill

Check out my reply on the end of the ‘Trout Meeting March 2’ thread. I agree that for the BFB C&R section a ‘DHALO’ reg set would be more appropriate.

[thmyorke1]

Im pretty sure "no kill" isnt about keeping a river abundant with trout, it's more like a trick to convince CnR anglers that they are separated from the put-and-take mindset.


This stock fish in urban areas plan to try to increase interest or license sales does not work

Not sure about that, sure some people break the rules but I think trout stocking ponds does increase interest/sales a bit. No hard evidence. I just know from experience at two urban ponds that people are trout fishing around it.

[Drossi]

Im pretty sure "no kill" isnt about keeping a river abundant with trout, it's more like a trick to convince CnR anglers that they are separated from the put-and-take mindset.

That's my favorite part about it.....keeps people herded into the special regs zones and leaves me plenty of prime open regs water. And I CnR 99% of the time. I just like to fish alone. :)

Take back your No Kill zones.....stop jammin me.....

[AndyS]

The Ken Lockwood Gorge a 2 1/2 mile stretch of NO KILL river will get 2,750 trout this spring. I know of 2 guides off the top of my head that take their clients there and get paid big $$$. I think Crisper said it best when he mentioned "special interest" groups. This stretch of river will again be graced with yet another boat load of trout in the fall.
You want to ask a question, ask when the leases run out with these fishing clubs on NJ rivers.

[Drossi]

The Ken Lockwood Gorge a 2 1/2 mile stretch of NO KILL river will get 2,750 trout this spring. I know of 2 guides off the top of my head that take their clients there and get paid big $$$. I think Crisper said it best when he mentioned "special interest" groups. This stretch of river will again be graced with yet another boat load of trout in the fall.
You want to ask a question, ask when the leases run out with these fishing clubs on NJ rivers.

Calm there, gonna give yourself a hemorrhoid. Why worry so much over 2 1/2 miles. Plenty of other places that get as many or more fish. But that isn't it. You just have a hard on cause it's a special regs zone and you don't like that it is. News flash, just cause YOU don't like it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it getting stocked. I'm sure there can be found someone out there that doesn't like some place you like that is stocked. Again that would not warrant them suggesting cessation of stocking in your favorite place, would it. Nope. My goodness the incessant wining gets old.

[Mark B.]

In my experiences, I would say that 95% + of NJ anglers catch & release all freshwater fish, including trout.

Too much hassle cleaning / preparing them.

[Drossi]

In my experiences, I would say that 95% + of NJ anglers catch & release all freshwater fish, including trout.

Too much hassle cleaning / preparing them.

I do but I'm planning on yapping one before the season closes. Holdovers taste better than fresh stockers.

[Lard Almighty]

I do but I'm planning on yapping one before the season closes. Holdovers taste better than fresh stockers.Agreed, the 10" spring fish are nothing but bones and they taste like liver and/or mud. By now the fall stockers are meaty and delicious.

[JIMMY L]

Remove trout stocking from the urban/public ponds. Trout are taken before opening day, people fishing without licenses.
The conservation officers are spread thin enough and can not patrol the entire state every day. This
stock fish in urban areas plan to try to increase interest or license sales does
not work but yet some good lakes in Sussex, Morris and Passaic Counties
have been dropped from stocking over the years.

Urban youth get to try something new. License sales and interest in fishing does increase. Old guys like myself don't have to drive far to fish. As much poaching is going on in the sticks. Sometimes even more. The defense rest, your snobbiness.

[Mark B.]

Urban youth get to try something new. License sales and interest in fishing does increase. Old guys like myself don't have to drive far to fish. As much poaching is going on in the sticks. Sometimes even more. The defense rest, your snobbiness.

Amen, brother!!

[RWole]

[QUOTE=RWole;526002]Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Last time I checked we live in a great nation that allows us to do so.
I have no objection to stocking urban park ponds with catfish,bluegills, or
any other variety of panfish. I just do not beleive trout should be stocked.
I also would never want to take the opportunity for a kid to fish away ever.
Fact is many of these park ponds that are trout stocked, adults without licenses
take the trout before the season even starts and yes this happens often.

[thmyorke1]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Last time I checked we live in a great nation that allows us to do so.
I have no objection to stocking urban park ponds with catfish,bluegills, or
any other variety of panfish. I just do not beleive trout should be stocked.
I also would never want to take the opportunity for a kid to fish away ever.
Fact is many of these park ponds that are trout stocked, adults without licenses
take the trout before the season even starts and yes this happens often.
You're right that park ponds get abused (by birds and people), but if the surveys show that on opening day, people are catching trout and having a good time, f&w are doing things right. I dont look at the surveys so dont know myself.

Worst case scenario: pond is stocked, it then gets abused by birds and people before opening day during the three weeks prior, opening day arrives; new trout anglers try out trout fishing there, they have a bad experience then never buy a trout stamp again.

What if park ponds didn't have the three week closure? They're free to fish after stocking just like fall? Would this fix that?

[AndyS]

I grew up in Kearny New Jersey for a while and fished the big pond in the park. I cut my teeth on carp and catfish, I didn't know what a stocked trout was until I was 40, so who are all the "kids" that need stocked trout ?
When you think of the word trout, images of cool clear mountain streams come to mind, not the local duck pond.

[Drossi]

I grew up in Kearny New Jersey for a while and fished the big pond in the park. I cut my teeth on carp and catfish, I didn't know what a stocked trout was until I was 40, so who are all the "kids" that need stocked trout ?
When you think of the word trout, images of cool clear mountain streams come to mind, not the local duck pond.

Don't hate, appreciate! Lugging grudges around will only make you miserable. Let go.

[RWole]

Very well stated Andy

[AndyS]

I read what one person wrote about stocking the "urban" pond near his home. He said before it was trout stocked he could go there and it was very quiet and catch bass and crappie. Now he says since it is trout stocked there are 70 to 80 people lining the banks taking everything ! It all goes in the bucket he stated and there were few licenses visible. After the crowds departed the place was trashed.

[nsell]

I know everyone has their own opinion, but I will share that the spring trout I caught last year were fabulous. The flesh was orange in color and I had the opportunity to smoke them using a brine and alder wood. Served them to many friends who have discriminating tastes and thought they were wonderful. I think the NJ Dept. of Fish and Wildlife does a fantastic job. Just recently saw the numbers of trout Maryland puts out at 308,250 while NJ puts out over 575,000. I will take those numbers anytime.

[Mark B.]

I grew up in Kearny New Jersey for a while and fished the big pond in the park. I cut my teeth on carp and catfish, I didn't know what a stocked trout was until I was 40, so who are all the "kids" that need stocked trout ?
When I think of the word trout, images of cool clear mountain streams come to mind, not the local duck pond.

Really,...…….that's who it is all about.

[Irish Jigger]

Small local ponds stocked with trout create fisherman for life!!! My fondest memories as a kid was getting up with my pops at 4 am and heading over to Garveys pond to get a good spot on opening day. That last hour waiting for 8 am to arrive felt like a week. Never kept a single trout in my life but that pond was like a magnet to me from age 4 til I was old enough to drive. Stop by there any day and there are lots of fathers with their kids enjoying the sport of fishing. The game wardens are there weekly and everyone's got the License and Stamp on the back of their hats. During the week you will find lots of kids and young teens fishing and not sitting home on a damn iPad. You can take the pretty river and brooks and enjoy them but those local ponds are a damn tradition from generation to generation to a lot of people.

[briansnat]

Small local ponds stocked with trout create fisherman for life!!! My fondest memories as a kid was getting up with my pops at 4 am and heading over to Garveys pond to get a good spot on opening day. That last hour waiting for 8 am to arrive felt like a week. Never kept a single trout in my life but that pond was like a magnet to me from age 4 til I was old enough to drive. Stop by there any day and there are lots of fathers with their kids enjoying the sport of fishing. The game wardens are there weekly and everyone's got the License and Stamp on the back of their hats. During the week you will find lots of kids and young teens fishing and not sitting home on a damn iPad. You can take the pretty river and brooks and enjoy them but those local ponds are a damn tradition from generation to generation to a lot of people.

Yep, go to Verona Park lake on and around opening day. Lots of dads with young kids there fishing.

[phil]

In my experiences, I would say that 95% + of NJ anglers catch & release all freshwater fish, including trout.

Too much hassle cleaning / preparing them.

maybe 95% of licensed anglers practice c&r, but theres no way the # is even close to that if you count everyone who casts a line

[RyanLoughney]

Any water listed NO KILL should get NO TROUT.

agreed.