Trout stocking by the numbers:

[AndyS]

I just like catching the ones that hold over so I have something to do in the fall.

[nsell]

Hey Andy,

I see you are concerned about trout numbers. Take a look at the 2018 stocking numbers of the South Branch of the Raritan compared to the 2019 stocking numbers of the South Branch of the Raritan and you will see a decrease of 2,780 trout. Also you will see an increase of almost 4000 trout for the Pequest.

This should be a concern to all. We need to increase stocking places was the reply I got. Less places to stock means less fish, simple as that.

[Mikey topaz]

What a waste of trout getting dumped into the main stem of the Raritan 😑

[Hookmanski]

As someone who is quite partial to the SRC, I don't think they're stocking enough in it! Most of the stocking points are very close to the end of the stream, one big rain and they all get washed into the reservoir. Can't stress how amazing that creek is, I've done a lot of exploring over the last year and there really aren't any water bodies that leave me in awe like the SRC. Maybe thats because i have a ton of secret spots

[thmyorke1]

I prefer trout in the fall/winter than spring. It would be cool if they shifted some resources from spring towards fall stockings, although I know this is unlikely with how popular spring trout fishing is.

Im surprised at how many trout production waters get stockings, but we've seen a few already get removed recently so this might continue.

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by Mikey topaz

What a waste of trout getting dumped into the main stem of the Raritan 😑

Theres no such thing as a waste of trout. It's all put and take aside from restricted rivers/streams. Just like the big fish stocked in RVR by RVTA--very few get released.

Those that do survive in the mainstem of RR can grow large. More forage and diversity of forage there versus most water bodies in NJ.

And maybe, just maybe--some hit the salt and return all shiny and chrome lol.

[Mikey topaz]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

Theres no such thing as a waste of trout. It's all put and take aside from restricted rivers/streams. Just like the big fish stocked in RVR by RVTA--very few get released.

Those that do survive in the mainstem of RR can grow large. More forage and diversity of forage there versus most water bodies in NJ.

And maybe, just maybe--some hit the salt and return all shiny and chrome lol.

Yeah right 😆 Someone that wants to catch a trout... isn’t gonna go to look ya main stem, so many better places it’s a waste lol

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I just like catching the ones that hold over so I have something to do in the fall.

Andy, Have you caught any "holdover" brown trout in the Raritan from the load that was stocked a few years ago when the hatchery was disposing of the infected fish? Quite a few were dumped into the Raritan and Rahway Rivers to name a few. What ever became of them? Stocking quotas have more to do with angler access and pressure than about holdover potential of the waterbody. Trout are stocked so that trout can be caught, as you know.

I do agree that sections of the Raritan have holdover possibilites but, yet, of all of the trout stocked, not too many seem to holdover. The Raritan is just not as hospitable to holdover possibilities as is the upper Delaware where monster browns and rainbows flourish and grow to enormous sizes. Limestone versus shale river bottoms might make a difference as does the constant river temperatures produced by regular water discharges from the reservoirs.