How to improve freshwater fishing in New Jersey:

[AndyS]

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

[lennysky]

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.

[EJS]

Originally Posted by lennysky

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.

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!

[zhitoman]

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

[Esox Luciano]

Originally Posted by lennysky

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.

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.

[gwl2oneida]

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.

[FASTEDDIE29]

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.

[bunker dunker]

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.

[Chrisk]

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

[Eskimo]

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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.

Originally Posted by lennysky

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.

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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