Trout Stocking and Opening Day

The stocking trucks from the Pequest Trout Hatchery started their spring pre-season distribution of this year's trout this week.

By year's end, approximately 600,000 trout will be stocked throughout the state, but the busiest day is always Opening Day, which this year is April 6, at 8 a.m.

The "production trout" average 10.5" but were kept company prior to opening day by some of the more than 6,000 three to eight pound breeder trout which are also being stocked. This spring, trout will be placed in 88 streams and 90 ponds and lakes throughout New Jersey. Those trout will be in addition to some of the 26,000 bruisers still in the water from stockings in the fall and winter. Fortunately for the state's anglers, trout remain available throughout the summer in many waters where the water remains cooler.

via  ww.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/

New Jersey has gained a reputation as one of the best places for trout fishing on the East Coast, partially because the average size of the trout stocked is larger than trout stocked in neighboring states. The state's Bonus Broodstock Lakes and the breeder stocking programs provide plenty of trophy size fish within a short drive from anywhere in the state.



Driving directions to some of the state's better know trout water access points can be found at www.njfishandwildlife.com/accesswater.htm. Anglers are reminded that access to locations along trout stocked streams may be available only through the good graces of private landowners. Please be respectful of their property and take care not to damage trees and shrubs. Leaving your fishing location cleaner than when you arrived helps maintain good angler-landowner relations and ensures continued public access to trout streams.

SOURCE: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/trtinfo_spring.htm