New Jersey stocks landlocked Atlantic salmon and trout. They are closely related cold-water fish, but they differ in origin, behavior, appearance, and fishing regulations. Landlocked salmon are a freshwater form of Atlantic salmon, while trout encompass several species with diverse traits.
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar sebago) are a freshwater variant of Atlantic salmon, originally native to Maine and eastern Canada but live entirely in lakes and reservoirs.
Salmon caught in NJ
Salmon prefer deep, cold lakes with forage fish, like alewives. They are stocked annually in NJ lakes like Wawayanda and Merrill Creek. They are often more migratory in behavior, even when landlocked. Salmon have a silvery body with small black spots mostly above the lateral line. Known for strong, acrobatic fights.Slightly forked tail and thinner caudal peduncle. Sleek, torpedo-shaped profile. Single row of vomerine teeth (roof of mouth). Adipose fin present, like all salmonids.
Rainbow trout caught in NJ
Trout (e.g., Rainbow, Brown, Brook): Includes multiple species across genera (Oncorhynchus, Salmo, Salvelinus). Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, with varied habitats. Trout thrive in streams, rivers, and lakes, and are less migratory and more territorial.
Rainbow trout (which are stocked by the state) have a pink stripe and speckled body. Their tails are forked. Rainbow trout can adapt to lakes and rivers. They have a marbled pattern with white-edged fins and zig-zag vomerine teeth. They are considered easier to catch in streams and stocked ponds, and are popular for fly fishing and beginner anglers.
Brown trout are golden-brown with black and red spots.
Brook trout prefer small, cold streams. Their tail shape is square.
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