2022 Stocking Report

[Doug Vitale]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

NY maintains a good fishery for Pacific Salmon in Lake Ontario, and it keeps the Finger Lakes and Catskill streams stocked, but almost all of that is geared toward the tourists..

I have vacationed in the Catskills four or five times (in the fall), and each time I was amazed at how few trout fishermen I saw in the streams up there such as the Esopus, Beaverkill, Willowemoc, East Branch Delaware, and Schoharie.

In contrast, last spring I tried to fish the Farmington River in Connecticut on a Saturday, and I had to struggle to find spots to park in.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Doug Vitale

I have vacationed in the Catskills four or five times (in the fall), and each time I was amazed at how few trout fishermen I saw in the streams up there such as the Esopus, Beaverkill, Willowemoc, East Branch Delaware, and Schoharie.

In contrast, last spring I tried to fish the Farmington River in Connecticut on a Saturday, and I had to struggle to find spots to park in.

The fish aren't everywhere.. There is a lot of unproductive water.. Most fishermen typically do better with a local guide first time or two, unless fishing streams that are heavily stocked..
Thats a good area, and there's a lot of water, but I see the pics from the Musky, Raritan, and Paulinskill, and I am not sure if they are any less productive for those that know them.. Also, NJ stocks 2 year old fish, and NY stocks 1 year old fish, so there is a big size difference when fishing in stocked streams between NY and NJ.. The fall up here is not prime time, and even the big lakes see less guys trolling... Guys are gearing up for hunting in upstate NY in fall.
There is intense pressure on the streams up north running into lake Ontario
as the Pacific Salmon are fall spawners, and run up the streams.. Both spawning Pacific and LL Atlantic salmon are fall targets here in the fall, and thats where most stream fishermen are.... .bob

[Jigman13]

NJ is definitely very good at raising and stocking fish. It's worth the cost of a NJ state fishing license. I purchase the trout stamp too and I don't fish for trout anymore... I just feel it's a good, small way to support a great hatchery system.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

NJ is definitely very good at raising and stocking fish. It's worth the cost of a NJ state fishing license. I purchase the trout stamp too and I don't fish for trout anymore... I just feel it's a good, small way to support a great hatchery system.

A resident senior (which I am) fishing license in NJ with Trout stamp costs $22.50.
I spend more than that in one trip for gas and food.
License is the least expensive item when fishing, comes out to 6 cents a day.

When I see people fishing with no displayed license I figure there just cheap
A - holes or poor.
While I wish there where Brown trout stocked in NJ I think they (DEP) do a damn good job.

[Doug Vitale]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

NJ stocks 2 year old fish, and NY stocks 1 year old fish, so there is a big size difference when fishing in stocked streams between NY and NJ.

True, but don't forget that all those exclusive clubs up there perform their own stockings...
http://beaverkilltrouthatchery.com/

[bulletbob]

The majority of upstate NY fishermen fish the lakes for trout, from what I gather.. Trolling is everything here, and its the main way most fishermen fish for trout and salmon... the catskill and adirondack trout streams get a lot more tourist play than they do from locals,, Same can be said about the salmon runs in the Ontario tribs... As many out of staters as locals, sometimes even more.. Doesn't bother me at all, I don't typically fish the streams... I prefer sat water fishing far above fresh anyway... bob