[UglyStick]

I agree that Tilcon used to be better with bigger fish but unfortunately this is the exact same thing that can be said for any body of water subsequent to it being opened to the public. I personally don’t see the bank beaters taking everything out of Tilcon nor have I seen an unreasonable amount of garbage like at Split Rock. The shoreline access (steep and overgrown) really helps to limit the fishing pressure in addition to it being fairly difficult to get even a yak or canoe in there. Unfortunately, in NJ the bucket brigade exists everywhere and there will always be some garbage left by irresponsible people, no stocking practice will fix this. However, none of that has anything to do with stocking salmon and it is unlikely that the bucket brigade and litterbugs will increase due to the addition of these fish.

With respect to the lakers at RVR, I will acknowledge that it was an error in population management (years of stocking and assuming that they would not reproduce) which has caused a significant shortage in forage that has affected the other species there. Recent population studies there show that the numbers of game fish are not as much of a problem as the size of those fish. Granted, I am over-simplifying the laker issue but if anything, this has been a valuable lesson for F&W. Also note there is no scientific evidence I am aware of that lakers are a problem in Merrill or Monksville.

F&W studied the fish population (including baitfish) at Tilcon as part of their evaluation. If anyone has any scientific evidence supporting that the bait population there just manages to support the current population of fish I would love to see it and would even deliver it to F&W myself. It is worthy of mention that the introduction of salmon to Aeroflex and Waywayanda has ruined neither and they are both holdover trout lakes so they have no closed period. With respect to F&W doing something that helps the bass guys… they stocked smallmouth in Tilcon.

I encourage the writing of letters to F&W and if they go unanswered, attend any of the freshwater fisheries forums and pose your questions and comments during the meeting. The staff will have to respond and do it on the record.

Now…everyone is entitled to their opinion but…

I think most would agree that it is a selfish attitude that does not represent the best interest of the fishery or the sport in general to consider it suffering and unreasonable to only be able to fish certain lakes for a less than 3 week period at the end of march/beginning of April. To say that it is ruining a fishery and is horsesh!t because it inconveniences a few individuals personal agenda for a small period of time is simply ridiculous.

In addition, to publicly state the intent to commit the illegal act of poaching (violation of the terms of a NJ fishing license), by fishing during the closed period, is un-sportsman like to say the least. Better hope Chief Barno doesn’t read this…