Trout stocking by the numbers:

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

When I go to the Raritan River main stem, I go there to catch smallies, or walleye, or stripers. I'm not going to make the trip there to catch the same stocked trout that are thrown into every other goose-toilet pond from Weehawken to Wildwood. It'd suit me just fine if the main stem never saw a stocking truck again.

In the fall I might fish for trout there, but for spring I agree it's just not what Im targeting while on the raritan. Ill be catching rainbows but really just looking for a big mean bass

I wouldnt be totally against not stocking there- but only for spring... then stock it directly in the fall

Yet with all the people I saw fishing DIP - Nevius street bridge last year in the spring, I know spring stocking there isnt goign anywhere

[Mikey topaz]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

When I go to the Raritan River main stem, I go there to catch smallies, or walleye, or stripers. I'm not going to make the trip there to catch the same stocked trout that are thrown into every other goose-toilet pond from Weehawken to Wildwood. It'd suit me just fine if the main stem never saw a stocking truck again.

The truth!!!! Well said lard!

[AndyS]

I don't rush to Raritan to catch 10 inch trout either, but like I said, enjoy catching the ones that hold over in the fall and winter.

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I don't rush to Raritan to catch 10 inch trout either, but like I said, enjoy catching the ones that hold over in the fall and winter.

As you should that's a cool holdover.

But more trout stocked doesn't automatically = more holdovers. Each stream, even very marginal ones, will holdover fish. But every stream has a finite carrying capacity of food and optimal lies that effect how many will have the ability to hold over.

Remember the goal of the stocking program isn't to maximize holdover trout, it's to maximize angler enjoyment! And that helps determine the stocking allocations, more angler usage = more trout stocked. If the state wanted to maximize holdover trout fisheries they'd stock nothing but brown trout as they are more tolerable of the higher end of water temps.

FWIW - my favorite streams are mostly on the low end of stocking allocations also but they are also on the lower end of angler usage.