New Jersey stocking trout this winter

[jackdaniels]

Winter Trout Stocking Begins November 23
Hey, New Jersey trout anglers - Get ready for another round of super-sized trout stocking! Beginning Monday, November 23, more than 5,000 large trout will be stocked in 23 lakes throughout the state (see list below).

These 14 inch to 17 inch two-year old rainbow trout come on the heels of the 21,000 beauties measuring 14 inches to 24 inches, which were stocked in October. If you thought the trout stocked in October were nice, the winter trout had an extra month to grow and the average size will be even bigger!
Cooler temperatures and the approach of winter used to signal the end of trout fishing in New Jersey. Not anymore! Trout fishing in New Jersey is now a year round reality. It’s a reality thanks to nearly 650,000 trout raised at the Pequest State Trout Hatchery in Warren County, stocked in the spring, fall and winter.



The Winter Trout Stocking Program extends trout fishing action through the winter months and early spring until spring stocking begins. In fact, spring anglers are in for a real battle when they hook into large trout stocked in October and November, which are not caught in the fall and winter.

There’s plenty of time to chase fall and winter stocked trout before ponds and lakes freeze. Traditional baits like worms, fathead minnows, meal worms and powerbait fished on the bottom during open water work well for those fishing from shore.

Ice does not mean the end of trout fishing. A growing number of anglers look forward to the opportunity to catch large trout through the ice. Proven methods for catching trout through the ice are using tip-ups with powerbait or fathead minnows, and jigging with small jigs or ice jigging flies. Anglers should check to make sure ice fishing is not prohibited at their intended ice fishing location(s).

Anglers should pick up a copy of the Freshwater Fishing Digest and familiarize themselves with the regulations pertaining to their chosen fishing hole. The Digest as well as other information about fishing in New Jersey is also available online at www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishing_fresh.htm. The new 2010 Freshwater Digest should be available in late December.

Whatever winter (or fall) trout stocked water body you choose to fish, one thing is certain -- there will be big trout waiting. Trout anglers no longer need to suffer withdrawal or the winter fishing blues thanks to New Jersey’s Trout Stocking Program developed by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife with your input.

Below is the list of waters being stocked with numbers of trout. These lakes range in size from five to 100 acres and have shoreline access and/or boat launching sites. Temporary program changes, if any, will be noted below the list.

WINTER TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE 2009

Monday, November 23

Middlesex County
Hook's Creek Lake - 200

Monmouth County
Spring Lake - 190
Topenemus Lake - 180

Ocean County
Lake Shenandoah - 220

Passaic County
Green Turtle Pond - 300

Sussex County
Little Swartswood - 390
Lake Aeroflex - 390
Lake Ocquittunk - 190
Silver Lake - 230

Tuesday, November 24


Atlantic County
Birch Grove Park Pond - 180

Bergen County
Mill Pond - Not stocked See below

Camden County
Haddon Lake - 190
Rowands Pond - 100

Cumberland County
Shaws Mill Pond - 200

Essex County
Verona Park Lake - 190

Gloucester County
Mullica Hill Pond - 160

Hudson County
Woodcliff Lake - 200

Passaic County
Barbours Pond - 160

Salem County
Riverview Beach Pond - 160

Wednesday, November 25

Hunterdon County
Amwell Lake - 160

Morris County
Mt. Hope Pond - 160
Speedwell Lake - 200

Union County
Lower Echo Lake - 160

Warren County
Furnace Lake - 350

PROGRAM CHANGES in 2009

* Mill Pond in Bergen County will not be stocked this winter due to dam repairs. Its winter trout allocation (150 fish) will be re-distributed to the three waters listed for Essex (Verona Park Lake), Hudson (Woodcliff Lake) & Passaic (Barbour's Pond) counties. Note: The individual trout allocations listed above for these three waters do not reflect this temporary increase.