Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

The atrocious communication seems purposeful to keep numbers down.

Powerbait and catch and release don’t go together.

On one hand we are fortunate to have a trout season, on the other hand they seem to be flying by the seat of their pants.

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

Exactly. The, normally, very communicative Division does not want a big Opening Day crowd at popular stocking points. This appears prominently on their website:

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/imag..._flyer1_lg.jpg

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

The trout program, which has always been a bit of a political ping pong match, has once again taken a front row seat, as more elected and appointed officials look to get in front of the microphones and cameras. This time it's the DEC commissioner and not Fish and Wildlife making the call, and the DEC did a very bad job.

The announcement came from the DEC. while The Division of F&W is in charge of the implementation of the trout program, they are a subsidiary of The DEC which takes its lead from the governor.

To both the DEC commissioner and Governor Murphy..........I'm going catch and release trout fishing to a stream that is NOT near my home. If you can find your fishing rods and have your licenses, you are welcomed to join me.

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

These are obviously unprecedented times, that being said the late closure of trout season, guys were out catching newly stocked trout a week ago, and now the opening on the season catch and release? before the actual opener is strange.

I guess this is the only way to keep crowds down and for that I must agree.

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

1 angler this morning on the S. Branch Raritan River, 3 Bridges at 8:30. Hadn't caught anything. A Conservation Officer stopped, briefly, and then drove off.

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

Got my limit in two hours. Three Beasts over 20". All orange power bait. Smoking them tonight. Fished Roackaway.

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

:D oh boy! :p

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

Great fight on the two pound line.

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

Thought the initial start was catch and release?

Re: Trout season opening April 1st
 

Not sure, they were gut hooked anyhow.