November F&G Council meeting:

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by AndyS

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
NJ FISH AND GAME COUNCIL. So I am reading to see what happened in the November meeting. Waiting to see if Brook Trout and Brown Trout will be stocked in NJ waters any time soon.

No,.....Brook Trout & Brown Tout will not be stocked any time soon.

[AndyS]

The cost of my fishing license should be cut in half then.

[Capt. Lou]

Water extremely low this fall , covering miles of streams is a lesson in futility , due to these water conditions .
This fall I barely got out in October this year, due to water conditions November it got better , December soild fishing returned . However water levels are still very low & fish holding areas somewhat limited .
Now water temps are dropping rapidly adding to slower trouting overall & bait fishing getting the nod on most days.
What concerned me was lack of fish in holding water that was receptive to me the last several years , not sure why , maybe less fish stocked this fall in particular waters ?
I'm averaging 4-6 fish a day now but very concentrated fishing , nothing for long spans of the stream that exhibit decent holding water . Nice fish to 20"'s but no big girls !
I haven't landed a fish over 5#'s in over a year first time in 5 years I haven't taken several in one year .
So I'm just concerned about lack of fish being water related from onset so only time will tell if it's me or some other reason.

[Delawareriver]

Originally Posted by AndyS

The cost of my fishing license should be cut in half then.

It can be, don't buy a trout stamp and give up fishing for domesticated fish. Sure trout fishing is a great way to introduce kids to the sport but for any avid hardcore angler I just don't get the appeal of catching a stocked fish that many times eats just about anything if presented the right way. Much rather see the state improving other fisheries than a put and take artificial fishery

[Lard Almighty]

Originally Posted by Delawareriver

It can be, don't buy a trout stamp and give up fishing for domesticated fish. Sure trout fishing is a great way to introduce kids to the sport but for any avid hardcore angler I just don't get the appeal of catching a stocked fish that many times eats just about anything if presented the right way. Much rather see the state improving other fisheries than a put and take artificial fishery

A lot of people who fish in NJ aren't hardcore. They just want to show up with their bucket and Powerbait and catch something for the freezer. At $10.50 a pop for trout stamps, F&W is more than happy to oblige.

[Mikey topaz]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

A lot of people who fish in NJ aren't hardcore. They just want to show up with their bucket and Powerbait and catch something for the freezer. At $10.50 a pop for trout stamps, F&W is more than happy to oblige.

Agreed!!!!!!!!

[Dave B.]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

A lot of people who fish in NJ aren't hardcore. They just want to show up with their bucket and Powerbait and catch something for the freezer. At $10.50 a pop for trout stamps, F&W is more than happy to oblige.

At that price the 'catch-&-keep' crew get their trout stamp moneys worth within their first limit. Raising fish is a bit costly, even in the bulk the Div. does.

[23cardinal]

From what I remember cali did a study and stocked fish don't do well regardless. Something like greater than 97% of genes passed down were not from wild fish. All the dams and reservoirs kinda ruin a lot of our chances for better water.
I'm sure the state can do better...but they do try. We have a huge population- they do a decent job trying to please everyone(imo- like the trophy lakes for bass etc etc)

[Skunk City]

Just keep in mind, if it wasn't for F&W's stocking efforts, our only gamefish would be Pickerel and Bullhead Catfish .

[Delawareriver]

Originally Posted by Dave B.

At that price the 'catch-&-keep' crew get their trout stamp moneys worth within their first limit. Raising fish is a bit costly, even in the bulk the Div. does.

Don't forget 90% of those guys you see opening morning of trout you won't see again till next year. Basically yes the trout stamp but the state also got the money for there general license as well that they wouldn't buy if they couldnt fish for trout.

Either way I would love to see less money invested in the trout and a little more money spent on our other fisheries. Really could use some better boat ramps, underwater structure, access points, more studies to provide better management strategies etc. With more and better fishing opportunities we could reverse the downward Trent of license sales.