How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I would love to hear some more ideas, you already know mine.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Deputize select fishermen who know certain fishing beats and allow them to enforce pollution and poaching regs. I bet people won't agree w me but it has worked on private waters I frequent.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

It's an outstanding idea!

I would also suggest adding more "Quality Waters" (term used in New Mexico for special regulations fishing areas). Let's face it, we all fish for that chance to catch that once in a lifetime fish. No one goes out there saying I am satisfied with the daily skunk!

Incentives and rewards!

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Stop killing pickerels, educate people how to handle pike and musky, encourage people to keep sunfish species.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I definitely agree & think it's a great idea! If said select deputized fishermen were to earn commission for a certain quota, would motivate that individual as well to get out there. I could've made a killing on these guys if they sign me up. There are only so many game wardens here and I've only seen them ONCE.....on opening day for trout.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Personally I'd like to see C&R only bodies of water. I've lost 2 lil honey holes to bucket brigades who need to prove how great an angler they are by strip mining these lil ponds. Sad thing is I wouldn't even find the water qualities of these lakes suitable to eat from.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Hmmmmmmmmm, great question! Keeping our waterways clean and free from obstructions. Impose the highest possible penalty for those caught dumping in or near any open space, river, or body of water.

A catch and release period on certain lakes and such would definately improve whatever trophy fishery that body of water may already have. Not sure how long that would last when there is already catch and release periods for most fish species in NJ. Catch release only lakes would be outstanding. But then there's that guy, such as myself, who enjoys frying, baking or making fish tacos out of certain species. I don't know! There's a lot to think about here.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I think here at njfishing we are making the sweet water fishing better everyday.the sharing of"how too's" and the constant reminders of "catch and release" and the importance of fighting pollution are all making things better as
we speak.the more we learn and understand about the great fishing that new jersey has to offer the more we need to protect it.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Access to all so called private lakes.:eek::rolleyes: I'm being half serious.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Only if you're willing to have the state pay for the property taxes, water quality management expenses and the extreme cost of dam maintenance and DEP dam safety compliance. It costs a lot more than you think... Let's not forgot the cost of the fish since the state doesn't stock these waters...

Trust me...poaching and trespassing is not the answer to a better fishery...

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I think the fresh water fishing is better now than ever. We have the opportunity to catch muskies, pike, walleye and hybrids, fall and winter trout stocking. None of these were around a couple of decades ago.

As far as deputizing people...the last thing we need is a bunch of mall cops hassling everyone while they're trying to fish.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I'd like to see an end to the dumping of trout into mud puddles when other suitable water is available. I still can't wrap my head around the state putting trout in lakes so shallow you can walk across them, when streams are available nearby where those trout would thrive.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Bass limit - 2 fish at 14".

Mandate catch and release at all ponds less than 4 acres in size (except trout stocked, if any).

2 fish limit on trout in rivers in the fall.

I would love it if the state could open a park similar to what the Connetquot was in NY years ago.

Find a way to get brook trout back in the mix as quickly as possible.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

While its a good idea in theory, and may work on private lakes, I don't think deputizing people would work statewide. The inherent dangers of potential confrontation leading to violence would be a major liability, regardless of whatever legal documentation one would have to sign to volunteer their services.

I've seen "non-natives" flip the f out when confronted about the illegal fish they were poaching. I've seen major arguments, and I've seen things escalate to fisticuffs.

In my opinion, if you want to help improve freshwater fishing, even just a tad, save the game warden phone numbers for the counties you fish and use it when you see illegal activity out on the water. Yea, they can't always show up...but the day they do, hopefully someone gets busted and their gear gets confiscated. This would a be a huge lesson learned for the poacher and would likely make them think twice about doing it again.

C&R only trophy lakes would be a cool experiment. And I agree with Eddie on the fines for dumping. Some watersheds are simply f'ed bc of illegal dumping. Time served and major fines levied would theoretically decrease illegal dumping.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

A lot of people share you opinion but I'd respectfully say that you're missing the point of our trout stocking. The purpose of it is to provide recreation and access to people and yes, put some money in the coffers of F&G by selling trout stamps. NJ is at the southern limit of trout's range and there's very few waters in our state that can support trout. A century ago, that may have been different, but not today.

I think that F&G does a great job of protecting trout in those waters that they can survive such as KLG, RV, MCR and a couple of small streams in Sussex Co.

I'd like to add, as a disabled person, I'd like to see better access for disabled people. There's very few places right now.

Maybe it would make sense to identify some areas in the northern part of the state to stock brown trout and try to create a thriving fishery for them...

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

My first suggestion would be for all conservation-minded fishermen to practice and encourage catch and release fishing whenever possible. This would include not just returning fish to the water, but also following proper fish handling guidelines such as not touching the gills, keeping the fish in the water, not squeezing it, etc. as well as using barbless hooks to minimize damage when hooks are removed. Here is a great example of what I mean:

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76805

As mentioned by Almaink, the NJDF&W should stop stocking trout in the damn duck ponds. Stock only largemouth bass, catfish, and crappies in these waters instead.

I would also suggest a change of approach to stocking in which smaller quantities of fish are stocked, but the average size of stocked fish would significantly increase. I think the NJDF&W relies far too heavily on stocking fingerlings, and the results from this strategy are mixed. For example, the Millstone River has been stocked with hundreds of thousands of pike fingerlings since the 1990s, but I have never caught a pike in the Millstone and all the other fishing reports from there which I've seen never mention pike either. You can take a look at the stocking statistics yourself:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/hacktown.htm#summaries

As you can see, nearly all the fish stocked are eight inches or less in length. In my opinion the mortality rate for fingerlings is very high and I think the NJDF&W would improve our freshwater fishery by stocking larger, hardier fish that are a few years older than fingerling age. This change would increase the cost per fish but it would even out as the overall quantity of fish raised and released would decrease.

(I'll grant you, however, that the stocking of pike in the Passaic River has been a wonderful success story).

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I think the state should listen more to the anglers who frequent certain bodies of water or species, and not go by net results and surveys. I have said it many times, 5 yrs C+R on all our stocked species except the put and take trout fishery. Then after 5 yrs make a small slot window for these fish like up north waters do. There are definitely not enuff officials to enforce the laws, and deputizing would be good IF that was handed down to REGULAR law enforcement officials somehow. Not sure how it would work but maybe a booklet could be made and given to ALL law enforcement and when we see the bucket bridages or idiots poaching a simple phone call to police will have someone there with authority and a gun :)

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

i didn't read every word everyone posted here but i skimmed through a lot of it.

honestly, NJ isn't the best place to catch a monster of any species...but it very well might be one of the best multi-species places to fish in this part of the world. think about it where else can you get decent sized fish of so many vastly different species from walleye to bass to muskie to catfish.

as far as the guys that keep everything...good luck stopping that, maybe we can put a dent in that stuff if we can bust a few of them here and there keeping over the creel limit or under the size.

And the one thing that never gets said:

KEEP SMALL LEGAL FISH! i'm talking bass too! keep a 12-14" bass now and then guys! (if the water is safe to eat from) it helps create and environment where bigger fish can get even bigger instead of creating all these lakes we have where 90% of the bass are 12" even though there is enough food in that environment to grow a good amount of 5-8 lbs fish! I'm guilty of never keeping bass too it just feels weird but i've read some articles about small private lake management and this is a big thing.

maybe give the bucket brigade some small keeper bass and tell them to leave before they catch the big ones and keep those haha two birds with one stone???

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

NJ F&W does a GREAT job. Remember, if it wasn't for their stocking efforts, our only gamefish would be Pickerel and Catfish!!! I really have no complaints.

That being said, I'd love to see stocking efforts made in the RARITAN and HACKENSACK RIVERS. These are two great fisheries that could be even better if they received some sort of supplementary stocking (Walleye? Hybrids?).

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

F&W does a great job and we do truly have an amazing and diverse fishery in this state... that said...

I really like Jimmy’s idea of including regular local police to assist the conservation officers. Specifically, if a citizen could report a F&W violation to the local police and have them dispatched the same as any other non-emergency report received AND have the ability to issue summons, etc. if it is determined that a law is being broken. An alternate method could be if a report is called into Game Thief the way it is today, they then dispatch either a CO or a regular police officer, whoever is closest to the scene and can respond the quickest and most effectively. If every call got a reasonably quick response from empowered law enforcement, I’m quite sure more people would call in violations and the state could really capitalize on such a crack down effort.

As others have mentioned, I too am in favor of certain trophy water bodies being catch and release only and certain species such as muskies being catch and release only. I also think that introducing slot limits would help. I would also like to see where summons can be issued for improper fish handling.

In addition, I think increasing educational efforts around catch and release, safe fish handling, not leaving garbage behind, etc. could go a long way.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

This is a great question, not a very easy answer...Special officers patrolling our waterways for poachers law breakers and polluters is a job so large that when u think about it the cost would be prohibitive, also those that don't fish would resent any costs being applied to them..Problem is guys is that Jersey is a crowded state, with ever increasing numbers. F&G is doing its best to stock our waters, but lets face it most fish, trout especially are depleted to a large extent by mid summer..Meat hunters do there work early, warm waters keep trout from holding over in most places..The state has acquired more waters ways over the last decade or 2, but these once private waters that were good fisheries get bombed out in a year or two..Specially smaller lakes and ponds..I once suggested years ago, would the state and its sportsman go along with a select list of lakes and ponds be closed for couple or 3 seasons and stocked as usual, Too much pressure then put on existing lakes..Also large outcry form those who only fished certain waters and would have no other place to go..Lets face it too many people in a small state puts too much pressure on existing waters..There is another answer will post later..Anxious to here other ideas...

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

They stock those bodies of water for a few reasons:

1. People buy a license and stamp to keep fish.
2. It spreads people out and gives more people an opportunity to fish.
3. You put all the fish in certain waters, especially "cleaner" waters just means that you have more people, garbage, parking issues, etc., at those waters. Plus, those waters can't naturally hold all those fish.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Personally, I'd rather see cops stick to doing more important things than enforcing fishing regulations.

If more game wardens are needed, that's another issue but I think cops are stretched enough as it is without having to worry about F&G laws.

Also, a lot of cops wouldn't know a bluegill from a muskie so there would have to be some kind of training program and that costs money.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I live in a community with 10 private lakes which I unofficially patrol time to time. I've seen the difference already from perspective of who fishes the lakes. Local cops act annoyed when I call them to chase non residents. The bottom line who pays who's taxes and community fees? Certainly keeping fish is not an issue at large but the vacuuming effect of multitudes who come if you don't chase them away. They bring a whole picnic area worth of friends and relatives! This is no different on public waters, except on public land they are allowed to do what they do. One person with a fishing license covers 10 of them?
Keeping appropriate # and size of fish within season can be healthy for the lake as long as enough breeders remain to replenish the stock. The State lacks funds to patrol public waters, although they can easily recoup $ through violations
Is it just me or in the past patrolling was way more stringently enforced?

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

NJF&W does an awesome job w/stocking efforts.
Permit fishing programs on water supply commission type waters- Wanaque res, Boonton res, pointview res (again), yards crk!
Lower bass & walleye fish limits or impose slot size to allow keep 1 big fish, 2 smaller. Save the breeders. kills me to see ppl keep stringers of breeder smallies.
Make more friends w ppl who live on private lakes lol

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I know I carry my cellphone when I am out on the water. I report anyone I see without a license, over limit, keeping out of season fish, trout lines, what ever violations I see! It's the only way to ensure we will have a productive fishery in the future!

I highly suggest every put the NJ Game Thief line in their phone along with their County Park Rangers. Know where you are and what jurisdiction you are in. Snap some photos of what you are seeing, a license plate of the vehicle they drive, and make the call. Nothing tells the story quite like photos. You don't have to be a sworn officer to make a difference!

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

STOP THE BUCKET BRIGADE!!!!! I've seen them wipe out every lake in the Rancocas creek watershed.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

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I would like to see more warmwater fish stocked. This summer when I was catching big channel catfish and hybrid striped bass at the same time it occurred to me how great New Jersey's stocking program is. With the exception of a few hog bass, nearly every big fish I caught last year was stocked at some point by the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife.
These guys really are a blessing to New Jersey anglers.


The state did away with volunteer deputized conservation officers in 2009. They said they were a liability and cost too much to insure. Here's an article about it:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/200...ty_conser.html

I think New Jersey's fifty-something conservation officers are spread pretty darn thin over the state.

With 150,000+ licensed fishermen climbing over each other in New Jersey's water, I think catch & release is critical to maintaining the quality of our bass fisheries. I believe we can improve out bass fishery with two things:

1) Raise the minimum size and lower the creel limit.
The current regulation is an absurd FIVE fish limit with a minimum of TWELVE inches. This regulation is a relic from a time when people would only fish if they could bring home a full stringer of fish, with no regard to the future of the fishery. This regulation is out-of-step with the pressures facing our current bass fishery and the values of most bass anglers.

2) Start a campaign to encourage conservation and educate anglers.
A mix of education and peer pressure could help improve voluntary catch-and-release and adherence to regulations.


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Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Honestly, every game species should have a slot. Hear me out.

You can keep the smaller legal fish, which taste better anyway and which would help grow more big fish. The big fish would be protected and yet a true trophy could be kept if wanted.

I.e. Lm Bass slot you can keep fish between 12-16" but can't keep fish 16-21" ever and can only keep 1 fish 21+. Just an example but slots like this have been done on small- med personal lakes with amazing results.

Hate to say it but the hardcore 100% c&r doesn't help grow big fish it helps stunt the growth of the population because now small fish have more competition to grow and you end up with a huge population of med sized fish. I'm pretty sure minimum size limits are set based on how big the fish of a particular species needs to be to spawn.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I think that slot limits will work only if they are enforceable. But who will enforce them? I have self imposed limit on the fish I catch. People like us are not the norm. Most when spend money on a fishing license believe they are entitle to all the fish they catch

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Well that's true. They can't even enforce the current rules I guess. Mute point I guess, but like you I keep my own personal slot limits so I like to think maybe every little bit helps.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Exactly. Each one of has has a responsibility to conserve. As for those who don't, the Bears will eventually find you.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I think the stocking program should be adjusted to include prey species, such as herring, dace, fatheads, chubs, etc. Stock these prey species in lakes and rivers where natural reproduction is occurring. It will give game fish more to eat, and improve rate of growth and fertility in those fish.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

I think that Lard has an excellent point about stocking bait fish! Round Valley is a prime example of a lake that can use some replenishment. I know that the RVTA is doing a fantastic job rearing and stocking shiners but would be great if the state could stock herring as well. Even with the quality fishing that is there now it is in no where anything like it was back in the 80's and 90's. It was a Premier lake! Get the Browns goin again as well. I really find it hard to believe that the lakers ate all the Herring. Possible need to make water adjustments as well to create a better environment for the herring to flourish.
Just one example but stocking bait fish where required may def improve fishing in the state!!! I am not a scientist but just wanted to give my opinion on the topic! Very good thread!!!! It is good that at least F&G is willing to listen to our thoughts as well. I know they have they're hands full and IMO are doing an excellent job with the funds and resources that they have available to them...

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

Hire more fish and game officers to enforce the rules we have. Or train local police on all fish and game laws and give the municipality a percentage of all fines levied. Towns would then have an incentive to enforce fish and game laws.

All the decent holdover trout river and streams should be float stocked by volunteers instead of just dumping the fish at access points.

Fishing licenses should require a quick quiz on catch and release techniques and the size limits.


Fishing without the proper gear for the species you are pursuing should be a ticketable offense. Like pike fishing without foreceps or pilers.

More money spent of stocking other species besides trout.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

There is already a quiz... "Do you owe child support money?:eek:
Seems all deadbeat dads are only freshwater fishermen.


Since NJ is primarily a warm water fishery, I say stock more summer fish:cool:

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

the bait fish idea is good but the underlying problem when you have a shortage of said bait fish is in the habitat or that particular lake. so putting more bait fish in will only help in the short run. not enough bait fish in a lake is def a much more serious problem with the ecosystem of the lake.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

maybe we need to start the fwfa{freshwater fishing alliance}.like jimmy said,we can get a group of peeps who fish nj freshwater to represent the fw
recreational fisher peeps.that could sit down with fish & game and discuss what needs to be done and where.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

F&W already "officially" has this in the Fish and Game Counsel. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/councils.htm#fishandgame.

I still agree with Jimmy and Ed though and think The Freshwater Fishing Alliance would be valuable even if just "advisors to the advisors". What I like in particular about this is since F&W already gets a lot of input from special interest groups, getting input from a group that encompasses all freshwater fishing and not just 1 species or waterbody could be valuable.

A good manager listens to the people who are doing the actual everyday work to stay in touch with the reality of the experience.

Re: How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:
 

that would be best for all of us