Questions about NJ trout

[thmyorke1]

From what I understand, the majority of trout in NJ are stocked, and only a few streams (other than some reservoirs and lakes) support natural trout production.

What I don't understand; what happens to these thousands of trout? Are they simply just fished out by anglers or do they just not survive some waters such? Im curious to know what factors influence if the stream is trout-sustainable or not.

One last note- North branch or south branch of the Raritan? And im talking about the convergence area since thats most local for me. From the stocking info it seems like the South Branch is better stocked but it's only stocked on the northern part- up between Spruce Run and RV.

Thanks!

[Jigman13]

All info is in fish and game website. Just Google nj trout

[thmyorke1]

All info is in fish and game website. Just Google nj trout

I got stocking info there but cant seem to find anything else other than some facts here and there. Sorry but the site's layout is pretty confusing :confused:

[RJHooker]

I have heard about 10 % hold over, but i think that is an upper limit for stockies in ideal conditions. Most of the northern rivers except for the big 5, are put and take. Maybe a handfull survive and are extremely dufficult to catch. Anything from stress to predidation wipe them out. I think only 40 to 60% are taken by anglers depending on location. The herons are well fed at our expense.

NJDEP has lots of data from studies. I am not sure what constitutes Trout Production waters, but i am guessing water polution and the watersheds overall health (temps, flows etc.). But the few production waters are the best place,to find wilds and hold overs. I am not even sure how the native brookie population is since i have never caught one.

The are some members here who know a lot more than me regarding heritage, natives, and wilds.

[Jigman13]

I got stocking info there but cant seem to find anything else other than some facts here and there. Sorry but the site's layout is pretty confusing :confused:

Agreed but most of the answers to your questions are buried there. Stocking numbers in each particular body of water, fall, spring and winter schedules, designated wild trout streams, trout conservation areas, etc.

Def more fish stocked in s branch. Just look at the numbers...

Also, as stated, largely put and take fishery. Between anglers, predation and varying water conditions, I'd say it's a safe assumption a small percentage hold over. The cormorants alone consume serious numbers statewide.

[Chrisper4694]

Def some rewarding surprises out there in no...then again you could just go to ny or pa and pretty much blow any trout fishing you could do here out of the water haha.

[thmyorke1]

Thanks RJ and Jigman, Im interested in reading about water conditions like that, if anyone has quick links to them. Why is it just the northern waters anyways? Something to do with the soil of the river beds? Or just pollution is lighter up there?

[thmyorke1]

Def some rewarding surprises out there in no...then again you could just go to ny or pa and pretty much blow any trout fishing you could do here out of the water haha.

Im guessing the waters there are more suitable for natural production. Let alone the waters connecting to the Great Lakes- steelhead are incredible.

[23cardinal]

Recap. All those factors matter. Water quality-clarity-depth-tempature-predation-human contact-appropriate bottom all matter. Njdep lists waters as trout production matience and non trout. They list a more comprehensive list. Several of the northern streams hold wild browns(possible holdovers that reproduce have caught babies).conversely- saw dead rainbows half stuck under rocks in the ramapo day after stocking this fall. They are very sensitive to touch- stress and environmental factors.. Each area- then waterway has its own issues Up here- it is more put and take- thou at least two or three times a year I hook a rainbow from last year that's far.

Of note- state hasn't stocked browns or brooks in at least 3(I think years)

[23cardinal]

Thanks RJ and Jigman, Im interested in reading about water conditions like that, if anyone has quick links to them. Why is it just the northern waters anyways? Something to do with the soil of the river beds? Or just pollution is lighter up there?

Sorry didn't see this less fertilizer run off clearer water colder more rocky stone bottoms. Less population all of it. Multifactoral. I'll pm u the links once I re find them

[thmyorke1]

Thanks for the recap cardinal

And they've only been stocking rainbows due to a fault in their tanks with brook + brown trout, from what I've heard?

I find some of the listed waters a bit surprising to be TP, green brook for example. Its listed under the Passaic instead of the Raritan however which is a bit confusing.

And it answers my questions about which parts of the south branch are TP and NP.

[Mark B.]

It is all here: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bfwfhome.htm

Click on “Management Highlights”, “Surface Water Classifications”, “Coldwater Fisheries Plan”, “Wild Trout Stream Regulation Assessment”, “Trout Stocking Program”.

[Delawareriver]

You would be surprised how many trout are out there both in stocked and non stocked waters. I've caught wild rainbows and browns in many streams as well as native brook trout in just about every small and medium sized streams. Many trout do hold over in the northern part of the state so for years. Really plenty of opptunties out there if willing to walk and hike, go where other guys don't and explore.

[thmyorke1]

walk and hike, go where other guys don't and explore.

That's one of the reasons I like creeks/streams so much- involves a ton of hiking that's off trails.

Sort of off-topic but do smallmouth bass simply populate all streams? I'd figure any branches off the raritan would, since they seem to be a lot more tolerant than trout.

[AndyS]

You really can't go by that classification of waters published by the State, the fish never read them and tend to swim, because they have fins.

[23cardinal]

You really can't go by that classification of waters published by the State, the fish never read them and tend to swim, because they have fins.

Hahahahaha. And amen. Pequannock and wanaque are maintancie. Go figure.

Thmyorke- u digest that pm?

[thmyorke1]

Hahahahaha. And amen. Pequannock and wanaque are maintancie. Go figure.

Thmyorke- u digest that pm?

Yep, thanks. the wild trout streams site I've seen before and the related documents made the map understandable.

Additionally from that other article it seems that their spawning is dependent on a gravel rather than a soil/mud bottom.