Hackettstown Stocking Summaries

[NJSquatch]

2020 stocking summaries released

https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/fwfisheries/htown_stockings20.pdf

Couple of things i noticed

- no smallmouth again this year?

- no tiger muskies

- the amount of pike being put in Cranberry over the past couple of years is mind blowing considering they seem to be ghosts in that place

Thanks to F&W for doing such an awesome job!

[fishingbuddies]

Does anyone actually catch Pike at crapberry? I live close but always pass on it and rather hit the passaic for Pike.

[Jigman13]

I emailed F&G re: the tiger muskies. They stated that "over the years managers came to the conclusion that tigers are less successful than pure strains." They went on to explain that they "seem to be caught less frequently and seem to not attain as large of a size. As a result we intentionally cut back on raising them in recent years. We do periodically raise them for the novelty of it."

Then they suggested attending the fisheries forum if I wanted to comment.

I dunno... i've seen some big ass tigers the last few years. In the rivers, the canal and lakes--esp the canal.

[NJSquatch]

”seem to be caught less frequently and seem to not attain as large of a size.

How do they expect them to do well when they are throwing them in places like the muscenetcong that they effectively drain ever other winter.

We need SaxMatt and the rest of the Muskie sharpies to share pics with them.

[thmyorke1]

woo they really did work with those channel cats.

And the amount of golden shiners into RV, wow talk about a feast... I really hope it pays off

[AndyS]

They told RVTA time and time again shiners need weeds and warm water to spawn/survive.

[Jigman13]

How do they expect them to do well when they are throwing them in places like the muscenetcong that they effectively drain ever other winter.

We need SaxMatt and the rest of the Muskie sharpies to share pics with them.

I just dont get the reason to stop raising and stocking them. It cant be anymore costly than pike or pure strains. Due to their hybrid nature I was under the assumption they grow faster bc of their hybrid vigor.

I like the novelty of possibly catching them too. They're insanely cool looking fish.

[Mikey topaz]

2020 stocking summaries released

https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/fwfisheries/htown_stockings20.pdf

Couple of things i noticed

- no smallmouth again this year?

- no tiger muskies

- the amount of pike being put in Cranberry over the past couple of years is mind blowing considering they seem to be ghosts in that place

Thanks to F&W for doing such an awesome job!

I know quite a few guys that did really really well with the pike thru the ice this year at cranberry, and bigger in size then the ones in budd... maybe that’s why...?

[Mikey topaz]

I just dont get the reason to stop raising and stocking them. It cant be anymore costly than pike or pure strains. Due to their hybrid nature I was under the assumption they grow faster bc of their hybrid vigor.

I like the novelty of possibly catching them too. They're insanely cool looking fish.

After this past year I’m sure it’s just they are cutting back like everything else.. they are probably more worried about what brings people into fishing nj not everyone can go out there and catch a musky or pike. People in this state like the whole opening day trout thing it’s cheap fun and easy and sells licenses. It makes the People happy.

[Chrisper4694]

I just dont get the reason to stop raising and stocking them. It cant be anymore costly than pike or pure strains. Due to their hybrid nature I was under the assumption they grow faster bc of their hybrid vigor.

I like the novelty of possibly catching them too. They're insanely cool looking fish.

When the state stocks things like tiger musky or other 'novel' species or puts something new into a lake, it's important to send them pics and info if catching those fish in those places. They are surprisingly out of touch with what anglers are catching otherwise, in certain circumstances.

I'm with the notion of keeping certain things somewhat of a secret due to the masses of disrespectful googans lurking on the internet, but in many instances, directly contacting njfw about the success of their stocking efforts is the only way to keep those efforts going.... otherwise i think they just assume it's wasted time and money.

[thmyorke1]

but in many instances, directly contacting njfw about the success of their stocking efforts is the only way to keep those efforts going.... otherwise i think they just assume it's wasted time and money.

Does f&w have a preference in how they are contacted? How do you? I know they use the skillful angler program as a good data source.

[DanH]

That is just an awesome list ! GREAT job guys!

[Chrisper4694]

Does f&w have a preference in how they are contacted? How do you? I know they use the skillful angler program as a good data source.

yes that is a big reason for the skillful angler program... it's one of the main reasons they do it, but many people still too lazy to participate even with the new email submission making it so easy haha. I also noticed that once they started requiring a ruler photo, instead of the 'honor system' (hahaha) many people stopped submitting... go figure :rolleyes:

I usually just email the main fresh water fisheries email: NJfwfish@dep.nj.gov

I tell them the water body and size of the fish. I do this pretty much every time i encounter, what i consider, a rare or surprising catch (for example a big fish in a species they just recently stocked, a fish that isn't supposed to be there, etc.) I'd be willing to bet, one of the reasons they cut back on the tiger musky stocking is because the guys catching them frequently keep it to themselves, but unfortunately, can't have your cake and eat it too.

or you can also email Paul Tarlowe, he is enthusiastic and always forwards the email to whoever needs to see it (usually the fisheries manager i think that corresponds to whatever species or water body it is from): paul.tarlowe@dep.nj.gov

[Mark B.]

Does f&w have a preference in how they are contacted? How do you? I know they use the skillful angler program as a good data source.

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bfwf_biologists.htm

[thmyorke1]

Thanks Chris and Mark, ive really only talked to the biologist about brook trout and thats when one reached out to me over dm's lol.

it's nice to know they lurk around here :D

[bigfishy85]

TML matter! Wow cuz there bi-racial? Cancel culture.. That should have been a paragraph explaining states idea, and a vote when u purchase license. Not just NOT this year cuz they are hard to catch/numbers r low...let's STOP!! Dumb Spend some time figuring out combating illegal fishing in a sanctuary state impress me.

[Hookmanski]

No smallmouth is interesting. I wonder if something happened with the hatch this year? Always cool to see these numbers!

[Chrisper4694]

TML matter! Wow cuz there bi-racial? Cancel culture.. That should have been a paragraph explaining states idea, and a vote when u purchase license. Not just NOT this year cuz they are hard to catch/numbers r low...let's STOP!! Dumb Spend some time figuring out combating illegal fishing in a sanctuary state impress me.

can someone translate this please...

[thmyorke1]

can someone translate this please...

"Tiger Musky Lives matter"
+
Possibly vote on which species your license money goes to. PA already has a way like this where you can donate extra money to certain species support.

The rest of the post was confusing lol :p

[DanH]

Any thoughts on why Cranberry Lake receives so many Pike ? Are they trying to establish a fisheries or just releasing the surplus fish there ?

[thmyorke1]

Any thoughts on why Cranberry Lake receives so many Pike ? Are they trying to establish a fisheries or just releasing the surplus fish there ?

probably former? They stopped it in the millstone for a few good reasons; lack of reports, lack of enough from electrofishing, and return of shad runs.

How long have they been stocking in cranberry for?

[DanH]

probably former? They stopped it in the millstone for a few good reasons; lack of reports, lack of enough from electrofishing, and return of shad runs.

How long have they been stocking in cranberry for?

As far back as I could find was 1993 .
Sussex County

Cranberry Lake 1993, 94, 95, 96