Trout - fall stocking

[DiPaoro]

Anyone planning on fishing this week for the stock trout? I am very new to fly fishing and plan to enjoy landing a few rainbows this week.

[thmyorke1]

I remember doing poorly first two weeks of fall stocking. Fish are straight out of the trucks + it's when fishing pressure is at its highest. Unlike spring where there's a few weeks between stocking for the fish to get comfortable in the rivers.

Myself I'll be targeting them a bit later, just preference. Good luck if you head out. And give us a report.

[DiPaoro]

Well, I did take Wednesday off and will be sure to provide a report. I am less optimistic based on your comments. We will see.

Still better to be fishing than working.

[Dave B.]

I have to agree with 'thmyorke1', the fall stockies really don't seem to bite well for a week or 2 after stocking. They have full bellies and good fat reserves built up from their time in the hatchery, and being older fish they take their time to explore and adjust to their new homes.

[DiPaoro]

All this means is there will be another day to take as PTO end of next week.

I enjoy the river regardless but was looking forward to catching a few tomorrow. I will let everyone know how I do. At least now will not feel so badly if do not land a fish.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by DiPaoro

All this means is there will be another day to take as PTO end of next week.

I enjoy the river regardless but was looking forward to catching a few tomorrow. I will let everyone know how I do. At least now will not feel so badly if do not land a fish.

https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/flstk18.htm

Check out this schedule if you're fishing early into the stocking period.

Stocking begins today, remember that they take two weeks to get every waterbody stocked. They'll be stocking the black river today, but South Branch Raritan is until Friday. The major trout rivers will be stocked by the end of this week. Also keep an eye on the Updates section on the bottom. Some years they dont even stock a certain body of water due to low flow or other conditions. They'll post an update there if that happens.

[Billfish715]

Just a few things to consider about the fall trout stocking/fishing:
There are fewer fish being stocked in each of the rivers compared to the weekly quotas that are stocked in the same rivers in the spring. That means that each stop at a stocking point will receive fewer trout........usually. There is simply no way that every stop along the route receives a netful (or less) of trout. Some spots that might have received trout in the spring will be passed by in order to insure the entire load is distributed efficiently. It's a juggling act to make sure everyone is happy that their favorite spot received some fish. That's why there is a caravan of cars usually following the trucks or are waiting at a stocking point to observe and then decide where to fish.
The flow on the Musky has been "up" recently due to the release of water from Lake Hopatcong. That, coupled with the recent rain, will be sure to spread fish throughout each stretch. I drove along Pohatcong Creek yesterday and saw fishermen in several spots searching the water from the banks looking to see where the trout were stocked. Very few were actually fishing. The South Branch gets stocked today and with the increased water levels from the rain, expect some of those fish to swim a bit farther from the holes where they were stocked.
Give it time. Be patient. Enjoy the extended season. You should have the streams to yourselves in a few days.

[Hookmanski]

Can't wait to get out there for some fall trout! I hope to do some fishing for holdovers this weekend back near my moms house. They don't stock in the fall there, but nobody fishes there in the spring so more holdovers for me!

[logs22]

Schedule shows that Ramapo is getting stocked today, I get out at 3 and was going to see if could snag one of the fresh stockies before they spread out too much (and If that fails there are always smallmouth) Does anyone know where the major stocking points are for fall stocking of the ramapo? I am sure I could look at a map and make some educated guesses as to where the stocking points are but the ramapo is a long river and ideally I would like to fish one of the more heavily stocked stretches. Since the fall stock is a lot lighter than spring I am guesssing some stretches are much more heavily stocked than others. Specifically, does the stretch between Pompton Lake and confluence with Pompton River receive any fish? What about stretch immediately upstream of Pompton Lake? The stretch further north adjacent to Ramapo College? Any info appreciated! Thanks.

[AndyS]

With the high winds and LEAVES, you might want to wait. Rivers are high, the fish have lock-jaw. Bundle up and do the majority of your FW fishing during November before everything turns to ice.