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

Pequest Open House and Sportsmen’s Flea Market This Weekend

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center's Exhibit Hall will be reopening for the annual Open House, March 23-24, 2013. 

The Exhibit Hall has been closed for almost a year for renovation and the installation of new exhibits. Educational programming and scheduling and the self-guided trail will not be affected by the Exhibit Hall closure, as programs take place mostly outside and in the auditorium. Hunting and fishing licenses, which were sold in the Exhibit Hall, are now available at a newly constructed visitors services area in the Pequest lobby. 

The Pequest Natural Resource Education Center has informed and educated countless visitors for more than 25 years. School children, hunters, anglers, and members of the general public all come to the facility to learn about the Pequest Trout Hatchery, trout, the geology of the region, native wildlife and New Jersey's natural resources. 

Some of the exhibits at Pequest were 20 to 30 years old and in need of restoration and replacement. This exciting renovation will include new exhibits, interactive displays, and hands on learning opportunities for children. It will also allow education staff to increase program offerings in an engaging and user friendly environment.

Volunteers Needed for Pequest Open House

The Pequest Open House and Sportsmen’s Flea Market is March 23 -24, 2013 from 10-4 daily.

This annual event attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year and with this being our 30 year anniversary of the hatchery, we are expecting a very large crowd.




We rely on the volunteers to help make this event the success it is.

Assistance is needed for the following activities:

• Kids Fishing in the Education Pond (for kids 8-16 years old)
• Kids Fishing in the Kiddie Trout Tank (for kids 3-8 years old)
• Kids Craft and Activity Tent
• Parking
• Monitoring Visitor Attendance
• Grounds Maintenance

If you can assist us with any of the above activities, please email Jessica Griglak at jessica.Griglak@dep.state.nj.us

Be sure to include the following information

1. Activity you will be assisting with
2. Day(s) you plan on assisting
3. Start and end time for each day if assisting on multiple days

Pequest Open House This Weekend

A sure sign of spring...

Don't forget that the annual Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market is this weekend -March 31 & April 1, 2012 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily - and it is FREE.

This is the time when Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pequest.htm opens its door wider than usual to allow the public to experience a lot of NJ's fish and wildlife. This annual event usually takes place the weekend before Trout Season opens.

The Open House allows the Division of Fish and Wildlife to show off the trout raised at the state of the art Pequest Trout Hatchery and it serves as a reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Each year, thousands of people come to the hatchery to experience this event for themselves. This event is great for people of all ages and there are so many things to see and do throughout the day.

 Directions to Pequest


Kids between the ages of 8 and 16 can try their hand at trout fishing before the season opens in our Fishing Education Pond. They will be given expert instruction by our staff, Wildlife Conservation Corps volunteers and volunteers from Trout Unlimited. Kids under 8 can try catching one of our trout in the "Kiddie Fishing Tank". And the best part is - we supply all the equipment! Displays will be set up about fisheries management, aquatic insects and much more.

In the fields along our roadway, we'll have our beginner archery and shotgun ranges set up. For those experts out there, we'll also have our 3-D archery course set up in the woods, offering you many nice shots at some of New Jersey's huntable wildlife targets in realistic situations. You will need to bring your own archery equipment for this course.

Peruse the flea market for fishing deals

Inside the Natural Resource Education Center, visit with representatives from various conservation groups and learn how they are helping to protect our natural resources. There will also be ongoing fly tying demonstrations and many different wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists will be here with their artwork and equipment for sale.

Don't forget to look inside the Exhibit Hall and learn about the history of Pequest and what we do here. For even more information about the hatchery, don't forget to take the self-guided tour of the facility, where everything will be in full swing in anticipation of the upcoming trout season.

Just outside the main building, our Fishing Flea Market is sure to offer some good deals on both new and used equipment, lures, gear and so much more! So if you're looking to upgrade your fishing equipment or if you're just starting out, you'll want to check out the vendors here. Be sure you stop by the giant mobile aquarium located just outside the main building for a look at some of New Jersey's fish.

There will be food vendors on hand at the event or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy one of our 3 picnic areas nestled in the heart of the Pequest Valley.

Displays and exhibits await indoors

For more information on public or group visitation/programs call 908-637-4125 or see the on-line schedule of public programs.

Open House Flyer (pdf, 62kb)

Pequest Open House This Weekend

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center opens its doors to the public for the annual Open House.

2011 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market

April 2 & 3, 2011

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily

FREE!

With a week until trout season, you get to see the trout raised at the state of the art Pequest Trout Hatchery. This event is great for people of all ages and there are so many things to see and do throughout the day. Bring your family, friends, scout troops, church groups, fishing clubs and anyone else for a fun time in the outdoors.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located 9 miles west of Hackettstown on Route 46 in scenic Warren County.

OPEN HOUSE INFO  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peqoh.htm

Pequest Open House Is April 2 & 3

2011 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market

April 2 & 3, 2011

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily

FREE!

Every year the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center opens its doors to the public for the annual Open House, which usually takes place the weekend before Trout Season opens. The Open House allows the Division of Fish and Wildlife to show off the trout raised at the state of the art Pequest Trout Hatchery and it serves as a reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Each year, thousands of people come to the hatchery to experience this event for themselves. And each year, the Division of Fish and Wildlife strives to make this a bigger event than the year before.

This event is great for people of all ages and there are so many things to see and do throughout the day. Bring your family, friends, scout troops, church groups, fishing clubs and anyone else for a fun time in the outdoors.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located 9 miles west of Hackettstown on Route 46 in scenic Warren County.

For more information on public or group visitation/programs call 908-637-4125 or see the online schedule of public programs

OPEN HOUSE INFO  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peqoh.htm

Pequest Open House This Weekend

2010 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market

March 27 & 28, 2010

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily

FREE!

This event is great for people of all ages and there are so many things to see and do throughout the day, so plan to celebrate the beginning of trout season and spring. Bring your families, friends, scout troops, church groups, fishing clubs and anyone else for a fun time in the outdoors.

Kids between the ages of 8 and 16 can try their hand at trout fishing a week before the season opens in our Fishing Education Pond. They will be given expert instruction by our staff, Wildlife Conservation Corps volunteers and volunteers from Trout Unlimited. Kids under 8 can try catching one of our trout in the "Kiddie Fishing Tank". And the best part is - we supply all the equipment! Children of all ages can do fish printing, the ancient Japanese art known as Gyotaku. Displays will be set up about fisheries management, aquatic insects and much more.

Visitors at raceway Inside the Natural Resource Education Center, visit with representatives from various conservation groups and learn how they are helping to protect our natural resources. There will also be ongoing fly tying demonstrations and many different wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists will be here with their artwork and equipment for sale. Don't forget to look inside the Exhibit Hall and learn about the history of Pequest and what we do here. For even more information about the hatchery, don't forget to take the self-guided tour of the facility, where everything will be in full swing in anticipation of the upcoming trout season.

Just outside the main building, our Fishing Flea Market is sure to offer some good deals on both new and used equipment, lures, gear and so much more! So if you're looking to upgrade your fishing equipment or if you're just starting out, you'll want to check out the vendors here.

There will be food vendors on hand at the event or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy one of our 3 picnic areas nestled in the heart of the Pequest Valley.






The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located 9 miles west of Hackettstown on Route 46 in scenic Warren County. Come for a family or group outing during the Open House or anytime throughout the year.  Directions to Pequest.

For more information on public or group visitation/programs call 908-637-4125 or see the on-line schedule of public programs. 

Schedule of Activities (pdf, 21kb) 

Press Release via http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peqoh.htm

2010 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market

2010 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market

March 27 & 28, 2010

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily

FREE!

Beginning in 1984, the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center has been opening its doors to the public for the annual Open House, which usually takes place the weekend before Trout Season opens. This year's event will take place two weeks before due to the Easter holiday. The Open House allows the Division of Fish and Wildlife to show off the trout we raise at the state of the art Pequest Trout Hatchery and it serves as a reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Each year, thousands of people come to the hatchery to experience this event for themselves. And each year, the Division of Fish and Wildlife strives to make this a bigger event than the year before.

This event is great for people of all ages and there are so many things to see and do throughout the day. This year's Open House will be March 27 and 28 from 10:00 - 4:00 daily, so plan to join us as we celebrate the beginning of trout season and spring. Bring your families, friends, scout troops, church groups, fishing clubs and anyone else for a fun time in the outdoors.


Kids between the ages of 8 and 16 can try their hand at trout fishing a week before the season opens in our Fishing Education Pond. They will be given expert instruction by our staff, Wildlife Conservation Corps volunteers and volunteers from Trout Unlimited. Kids under 8 can try catching one of our trout in the "Kiddie Fishing Tank". And the best part is - we supply all the equipment! Children of all ages can do fish printing, the ancient Japanese art known as Gyotaku. Displays will be set up about fisheries management, aquatic insects and much more.

In the fields along our roadway, we'll have our beginner archery and shotgun ranges set up. For those experts out there, we'll also have our 15 target 3-D archery course set up in the woods, offering you many nice shots at some of New Jersey's huntable wildlife targets in realistic situations. You will need to bring your own archery equipment for this course.

Each day at 8:00 a.m., Hunter Education staff will lead a Hunter Education Class. Saturday's class will be for archery only; Sunday's class will be for shotgun only. Interested participants must register for the course at www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/ and bring their completed workbook.

Visitors at raceway Inside the Natural Resource Education Center, visit with representatives from various conservation groups and learn how they are helping to protect our natural resources. There will also be ongoing fly tying demonstrations and many different wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists will be here with their artwork and equipment for sale. Don't forget to look inside the Exhibit Hall and learn about the history of Pequest and what we do here. For even more information about the hatchery, don't forget to take the self-guided tour of the facility, where everything will be in full swing in anticipation of the upcoming trout season.

Just outside the main building, our Fishing Flea Market is sure to offer some good deals on both new and used equipment, lures, gear and so much more! So if you're looking to upgrade your fishing equipment or if you're just starting out, you'll want to check out the vendors here.

Cal Huntzinger, the president of the NJ Chapter 22 of Muskies, Inc. will present a lecture entitled, "The Right Presentation" on both days of the event (see schedule below). The basics of "hunting" musky will be discussed along with rod and reel types, rigging, lures and their uses, leaders, reading the water, seasonal musky patterns, figure eight, hook set, landing and release tactics

There will be food vendors on hand at the event or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy one of our 3 picnic areas nestled in the heart of the Pequest Valley.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located 9 miles west of Hackettstown on Route 46 in scenic Warren County. Come for a family or group outing during the Open House or anytime throughout the year.  Directions to Pequest.

For more information on public or group visitation/programs call 908-637-4125 or see the on-line schedule of public programs. 

Schedule of Activities (pdf, 21kb) 

Press Release via http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peqoh.htm

Wildlife Heritage Festival at Pequest September 26

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its popular Wildlife Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford.

The festival is free and will be held rain or shine.

The festival is held on National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration of hunter and angler heritage. Hunters and anglers were the first to recognize that rapid development and unregulated use of wildlife was a serious threat to the future of many species. They called for the first laws restricting the commercial slaughter of wildlife. They urged sustainable use of fish and game, created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for taxes on sporting equipment to provide funds for state conservation agencies. These actions were the foundation of the North American wildlife conservation model, a science-based, user-pay system that would foster the most dramatic conservation successes of all time.

The festival is an invitation to the public to experience and learn about activities associated with the hunter and angler heritage and the protection, management and wise use of our fish and wildlife resources. This year's event will feature fish and wildlife research and management exhibits and presentations, wildlife artists, taxidermists, conservation organization exhibits, archery and shotgun ranges, a Sportsmen's Flea market and the opportunity for children to fish at the Pequest fishing education pond. An introduction to Kayaking course will also be offered this year, as will a Hunter Education course for prospective hunters.

For more information about the festival and to see the entire schedule of events visit the Fish and Wildlife Web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/festival09.htm .

Some of the activities require pre-registration, so be sure to check the schedule of events closely for sign up dates.

For more information about National Hunting and Fishing Day visit http://www.nhfday.org/ .

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Route 46 approximately nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County.

About the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center

Anyone with an interest in fish, wildlife or the outdoors will enjoy a visit to the state-of-the-art Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center.

Pequest began operations when trout production was transferred from the Charles O. Hayford Hatchery in Hackettstown in 1981.

Open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the center offers visitors a look at how more than 600,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout are raised each year for stocking the public waters of New Jersey. A sad sign of our economic times is that Pequest will remain closed on weekends this spring except for a limited schedule of events/programs.

The annual Pequest Open House will be this weekend, April 4 & 5.

A 15-minute video shows the trout rearing operation from egg-gathering to stocking, and a self-guided tour allows visitors to see where the trout are actually raised. The exhibit hall contains live fish as well as a display of mounted New Jersey wildlife specimens. The entire facility is barrier-free.

Children will find the interactive displays fun as well as educational. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the hiking trails, including the self-guided interpretive "Natural Resources Trail," picnic areas and free literature.

Many opportunities exist for hunting, hiking, fishing and birding on the 4000-acre Pequest Wildlife Management Area.

A year-round schedule of weekend programs cover a wide range of wildlife and natural resource topics. A list of upcoming programs can be viewed online.

Organized group programs may be scheduled and can include an actual fishing experience at the "Fishing Education Pond."

Pequest is located on Rt. 46 nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County.

For further information about programs and visitation call 908-637-4125, or write:

N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife
Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Resource Ed. Ctr.
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863

2009 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market

2009 Pequest Open House and Fishing Flea Market
Saturday & Sunday, April 4 & 5, 2009
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily
FREE!

Since 1984, the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center has been opening its doors to the public for the annual Open House, which takes place the weekend before Trout Season opens.

This event allows the Division of Fish and Wildlife to show off the trout raised at the hatchery and learn more about the Division's efforts in NJ.

Families, individuals, scout and church groups, fishing clubs and anyone can spend some time in the outdoors for the day in a beautiful part of the state.

For kids between the ages of 8 and 16, try your hand at trout fishing a week before the season opens in our Fishing Education Pond. There will be expert instruction by our staff, Wildlife Conservation Corps volunteers and volunteers from Trout Unlimited. Kids under 8 can try catching one of our trout in the "Kiddie Fishing Tank". The hatchery will supply all the equipment.

You can try out "fish printing" (the ancient Japanese art known as Gyotaku).

Visit displays about fisheries management, aquatic insects and much more.

In the fields along the roadway, there will be beginner archery and shotgun ranges set up. For those experts out there, there will be a 15 target 3-D archery course set up in the woods, offering you many nice shots at some of New Jersey's huntable wildlife targets in realistic situations. (You will need to bring your own archery equipment for this course.)

Each day at 10:30, Hunter Education staff will lead a Hunter Education Field Session. This hour-long program will enable participants to bypass this portion of the course when you attend a regularly scheduled hunter education class. No pre-registration or homework is required to participate.

There will also be ongoing fly tying demonstrations and many different wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists will be here with their artwork and equipment for sale.

In side the Exhibit Hall, learn about the history of Pequest and the hatchery. There's a self-guided tour of the facility, where everything will be in full swing in anticipation of the upcoming trout season.

Just outside the main building, the Fishing Flea Market is sure to offer some good deals on both new and used equipment, lures, gear and more So if you're looking to upgrade your fishing equipment or if you're just starting out, you'll want to check out the vendors here.

There will be food vendors on hand at the event, or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy one of our 3 picnic areas nestled in the heart of the Pequest Valley.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located 9 miles west of Hackettstown on Route 46 in scenic Warren County.

Come for a family or group outing during the Open House or anytime throughout the year. For more information on public or group visitation/programs call 908-637-4125 or see the on-line schedule of public programs.

The Open House is generously sponsored by the Warren County Public Information & Tourism Dept., GBW Insurance Co., Trout Unlimited, Ramsey Outdoor, Skylands Tourism Council of New Jersey and the NJ Office of Travel and Tourism.

The entire event is free-of-charge (including parking).

• Schedule of Activities (pdf, 21kb)
• Directions to Pequest
• Open House Flyer (pdf, 52kb)