Questions about NJ trout

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

I got stocking info there but cant seem to find anything else other than some facts here and there. Sorry but the site's layout is pretty confusing

Agreed but most of the answers to your questions are buried there. Stocking numbers in each particular body of water, fall, spring and winter schedules, designated wild trout streams, trout conservation areas, etc.

Def more fish stocked in s branch. Just look at the numbers...

Also, as stated, largely put and take fishery. Between anglers, predation and varying water conditions, I'd say it's a safe assumption a small percentage hold over. The cormorants alone consume serious numbers statewide.

[Chrisper4694]

Def some rewarding surprises out there in no...then again you could just go to ny or pa and pretty much blow any trout fishing you could do here out of the water haha.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

Def some rewarding surprises out there in no...then again you could just go to ny or pa and pretty much blow any trout fishing you could do here out of the water haha.

Im guessing the waters there are more suitable for natural production. Let alone the waters connecting to the Great Lakes- steelhead are incredible.

[23cardinal]

Recap. All those factors matter. Water quality-clarity-depth-tempature-predation-human contact-appropriate bottom all matter. Njdep lists waters as trout production matience and non trout. They list a more comprehensive list. Several of the northern streams hold wild browns(possible holdovers that reproduce have caught babies).conversely- saw dead rainbows half stuck under rocks in the ramapo day after stocking this fall. They are very sensitive to touch- stress and environmental factors.. Each area- then waterway has its own issues Up here- it is more put and take- thou at least two or three times a year I hook a rainbow from last year that's far.

Of note- state hasn't stocked browns or brooks in at least 3(I think years)

[thmyorke1]

Thanks RJ and Jigman, Im interested in reading about water conditions like that, if anyone has quick links to them. Why is it just the northern waters anyways? Something to do with the soil of the river beds? Or just pollution is lighter up there?

[23cardinal]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

Thanks RJ and Jigman, Im interested in reading about water conditions like that, if anyone has quick links to them. Why is it just the northern waters anyways? Something to do with the soil of the river beds? Or just pollution is lighter up there?

Sorry didn't see this less fertilizer run off clearer water colder more rocky stone bottoms. Less population all of it. Multifactoral. I'll pm u the links once I re find them

[thmyorke1]

Thanks for the recap cardinal

And they've only been stocking rainbows due to a fault in their tanks with brook + brown trout, from what I've heard?

I find some of the listed waters a bit surprising to be TP, green brook for example. Its listed under the Passaic instead of the Raritan however which is a bit confusing.

And it answers my questions about which parts of the south branch are TP and NP.

[Mark B.]

It is all here: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bfwfhome.htm

Click on “Management Highlights”, “Surface Water Classifications”, “Coldwater Fisheries Plan”, “Wild Trout Stream Regulation Assessment”, “Trout Stocking Program”.

[Delawareriver]

You would be surprised how many trout are out there both in stocked and non stocked waters. I've caught wild rainbows and browns in many streams as well as native brook trout in just about every small and medium sized streams. Many trout do hold over in the northern part of the state so for years. Really plenty of opptunties out there if willing to walk and hike, go where other guys don't and explore.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Delawareriver

walk and hike, go where other guys don't and explore.

That's one of the reasons I like creeks/streams so much- involves a ton of hiking that's off trails.

Sort of off-topic but do smallmouth bass simply populate all streams? I'd figure any branches off the raritan would, since they seem to be a lot more tolerant than trout.