NJDFGW is aware and looking into it.
Its spilt milk to be sure but I think giving them a good scare would set them straight.
I think all of us grew up catching trout this same way and I had more than a few causalities that swallowed the hook. Unlike most trout anglers, I was C&R from the start and have never willfully killed any wild trout. I may have even dunked a worm or two in my time into the(formerly fly only) Big Flat Brook or the many years ago(early 80's) "Natural Trout Program" stream Van Campens. To me it was no big deal.
As for trespassing, to me its unfair that somebody can own a streambed. Its a natural resource - like air or water. Landowner didn't create it, it was already there for thousands of years. Although I generally respect the signs, if I'm in the middle of the woods far from any road or home, I may walk right past the sign. Really depends on how I'm doing and odds of getting caught
