Flatbrook Survey

[thmyorke1]

Billfish I respect your statement. in terms of the brook trout program, I do think it's important to sustain the sparse brook trout population in the state. Brook trout efforts don't usually interfere with stocked trout efforts as these are usually tiny streams where stocked trout are better dumped further downstream in tailwaters. Future generations would like if we kept brook trout around to be fishable. I don't expect the state to put many resources into brook trou conservationt though.

I agree there isn't a distinct goal, but rather it's a bunch of goals all together. I don't see it as a bad thing as the state does need to cater to all the different trout fishermen. Like NJsquatch said, the goals are shaped by economics, they stock trout to sell licenses. You need a license if you want to fish for stocked trout, wild trout, or native trout. Thats why they give all different types of trout fishing attention.

[Mark B.]

Please read:

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/cwfmp.htm

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

So, we have wild trout streams, trout production areas, no trout production areas, catch and release, catch and kill, artificials only, size limits, bag limits, bait, no bait, closed waters, no closed waters, two month creel limits, ten month creel limits, barbs, barbless, etc. etc. etc. Everyone with a hook in the game seems to be satiated. Does this sound like pandering?

Nope, sounds like comprehensive management in a state with limited stream miles/resources and varying types of anglers. I don't see the issue honestly. Unless the issue is bitching about it for bitching about its sake. In that case there's no cure cause there'll never be any satisfaction. Every attempt to pander to the bitcher will be met with another round of bitching.

[TogRipper]

Until the Cormorant issue is resolved the stocking of trout in my opinion is a huge waste of our money.
These birds eat trout year long. The most disturbing part is that two weeks prior to the Spring Opener these birds have already eaten a huge percent of the trout stocked. Once they trout have been decimated they move on to another lake and continue the cycle. It seems they know when to come for their easy meal each Spring.
You can go to any lake in the state and see these predators at work.
I don't mind losing fish to Ospreys, Eagles, otters etc.
Every year it seems these birds grow in population. I don't remember them in the 80's or 90's.