Raritan river walleye:

[AndyS]

After looking at the photo of Shucker I got to thinking of the walleye population in the Raritan river. I started to think of how a self-sustaining population in the river works. Looking at the Freshwater Digest I see the imposed limits for walleye are 3 fish @ 18”. These limits I believe we set forth for the waters stocked with walleye, not a naturally reproducing environment. I can see such lakes as Monksville (6,426) and Hopatcong (6,729) carrying these rules because they are stocked annually with walleye. I can see the Delaware river (25,800) carrying these rules because that river is also stocked annually with walleye. But what about the Raritan river. If you can compare naturally reproducing water such as non-stocked trout streams you can clearly see the limits for fish are much lower on those streams as opposed to the waters that are stocked. Non stocked trout waters carry a limit of 2 fish while stocked waters carry a limit of 6 and 4 fish depending on the time of year. I was just wondering how, according to NJ Fish and Game, sustainability is maintained for a population such as the walleye in the Raritan river. The Raritan river for the most part is really not that big and deep like it’s counterpart the Delaware river. The question I want to throw out to you is do you think the current regulations for 3 walleye @ 18” should pertain to naturally reproducing walleye population in the Raritan river. We can sit here and discuss these topics but as you know ultimately any changes would have to go through the Division of NJ Fish and Game. A per capita study may have to be made on walleye and then we would also have to factor in the tug-of-war with returning American Shad populations.

I also wondered if the Raritan river from Landing Lane bridge to its headwaters should be a no kill section for striped bass. I don’t want to sound like the ultimate tree hugger here, just trying to protect future generations of spawning striped bass. I don’t know if imposing a no kill on that section would make a difference since the majority of the fish caught in the river are under the 28” mark. Doing ANYTHING with striped bass can turn into a major headache, but I thought I would just float it out there. So we will stick to the walleye thing for now and PLEASE feel free to chime in. I am no omniscient one so I need to hear as much feedback as possible.

Any or all of this may pertain to the Hackensack as well as the Passaic river in a sense, so feel free to include comparisons if you like, but for now I am just concentrating on the Raritan river.

[Matt D]

I have fished the Raritan consistently now for the last 3 or 4 years, mainly from Manville through Duke Island Park. In that time I have caught many different species of fish including striped bass, however I have not yet caught a walleye. I have seen multiple caught while fishing but still believe that the population is relatively low. Without a stocking taking place, I think it would be in the best interest of the walleye population as a whole if the limit was brought down to one fish over 18 inches, with March 1 to April 30 being catch and release only. However, that would require Fish and Game to rewrite regulations and designate certain waters as naturally reproducing walleye areas. I would really love to see a stocking take place instead of changing regulations, but as you stated it would be a struggle with the state trying to restore the shad run.

What I think would be easiest for the state and great for the river is if the limits of all species stayed the same (so that they would not need to change regulations for different species based on the body of water), while removing the remaining obstructions in the Raritan being the Island Farm Weir and the Head gates at Duke Island park. With these removed, I think, they should let the shad, stripers, walleye, and everything else that is in the river find its own natural balance that works for the river as it is now. It would take a couple of years or possibly longer, but the fish that thrive best would survive and it would all be natural. I hope to see some type of change in the river and it will be interesting to see how the states decisions play out. Hopefully the river just continues to improve!

[FASTEDDIE29]

I let everything go on the Raritan. Catch, pic and release. I'm hoping that these fish will multiply in numbers one day. Maybe one day you can go fish spot 1 because you know that's where the Walleye will be. Next day you can go to spot 2 because the Tiger Musky will be there. The day after that you can fish spot 3 for holdover Trout because you know this area of the river runs the coldest during the dog days of summer. I just hope that other anglers can join in and become a part of catching and releasing the fine fish that swim the Mighty Raritan!!!

[kcritch]

I'm not sure a change to 1 @ over 18 would make much of a difference with the population what it is now. Since they are rarely caught I would think it is almost unheard of that someone catches 3 over 18 in one day. Without stocking it will most likely take a long time to naturally increase the numbers....when/if that happens and we begin ro see regualr catches of 3 over 18 then maybe there would be a case for it. I do like the idea of a closed season that corresponds with their spawn to give them the best chance of making the most out of it! That may help the populations rebound more quickly.

I catch and release everything from freshwater in NJ so I may be the best to comment on the topic of keeping fish.

Great question Andy.

[paulyfish]

After looking at the photo of Shucker I got to thinking of the walleye population in the Raritan river. I started to think of how a self-sustaining population in the river works. Looking at the Freshwater Digest I see the imposed limits for walleye are 3 fish @ 18”. These limits I believe we set forth for the waters stocked with walleye, not a naturally reproducing environment. I can see such lakes as Monksville (6,426) and Hopatcong (6,729) carrying these rules because they are stocked annually with walleye. I can see the Delaware river (25,800) carrying these rules because that river is also stocked annually with walleye. But what about the Raritan river. If you can compare naturally reproducing water such as non-stocked trout streams you can clearly see the limits for fish are much lower on those streams as opposed to the waters that are stocked. Non stocked trout waters carry a limit of 2 fish while stocked waters carry a limit of 6 and 4 fish depending on the time of year. I was just wondering how, according to NJ Fish and Game, sustainability is maintained for a population such as the walleye in the Raritan river. The Raritan river for the most part is really not that big and deep like it’s counterpart the Delaware river. The question I want to throw out to you is do you think the current regulations for 3 walleye @ 18” should pertain to naturally reproducing walleye population in the Raritan river. We can sit here and discuss these topics but as you know ultimately any changes would have to go through the Division of NJ Fish and Game. A per capita study may have to be made on walleye and then we would also have to factor in the tug-of-war with returning American Shad populations.

I also wondered if the Raritan river from Landing Lane bridge to its headwaters should be a no kill section for striped bass. I don’t want to sound like the ultimate tree hugger here, just trying to protect future generations of spawning striped bass. I don’t know if imposing a no kill on that section would make a difference since the majority of the fish caught in the river are under the 28” mark. Doing ANYTHING with striped bass can turn into a major headache, but I thought I would just float it out there. So we will stick to the walleye thing for now and PLEASE feel free to chime in. I am no omniscient one so I need to hear as much feedback as possible.

Any or all of this may pertain to the Hackensack as well as the Passaic river in a sense, so feel free to include comparisons if you like, but for now I am just concentrating on the Raritan river.

Andy- Much more Walleye study is needed, not sure where the funding for this would come from.
Relating to the last paragraph you wrote: IMHO-
The Raritan Rivers spawning stock stages each spring in the mid-to west end of Raritan Bay. The clam fleet in the middle of the bay efficiently intercepts and removes these fish from the system at a key point in history.
Everybody that fishes in this area, especially charter boat skippers, need to emphasize the current importance of releasing, (ideally tagging) bass over 32". Now that the three dams have been removed, it is more important than ever to make sure as many bass as possible are released to head upstream, spawn and increase the population to insure good fishing for years to come. Pretty obvious that we can no longer rely upon the Chesapeake stocks for good fishing in our area.
Paul

[acabtp]

Where is the "C&R only for five years so we can really establish a population" option?

[AndyS]

I didn't want to go way over the top and say C&R only. As you well know the vast majority of NJF people that fish the river do practice 100% C&R but we do have people keeping the walleye (and short striped bass) also :(

[bunkerbuster]

I never saw a walleye in the Raritan but have called wardens a few times on Mexicans draggin nets from bank to bank...one time I was still there when the warden showed up, took the net and fish then let them go.he said all they would do is give fake names and vanish..great country this has become...

[liveitup1.75liter]

I SLAY the walleye on the right night.. it took me some time to find them but ive had 3 cast 3 fish.. every eye ive ever caught has been over 20in.. Im dwn with CPR!!!!! Its the only way for ppl who don't suffer from the dumb.. Theres most deff a population but w/ 3 fish limit it could be depleted much quicker then could be replaced.. Its a no brainer

[AndyS]

Thanx for the votes. Looks like I will pursue this further with F&G.