The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is proposing to eliminate the three-week preseason closure to fishing on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds, effectively eliminating the longstanding tradition of an opening day of trout fishing in New Jersey.
This Wednesday, September 10, a public hearing will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Central Regional Office at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, 1 Eldridge Road in Robbinsville. Other amendments to New Jersey State Fish Code to be discussed on Wednesday include adding 23 new trout-stocked waters to the spring trout stocking program, and the removal of two waters.
The proposed amendments also include updating the Fish Code to modify existing seasons, size, or creel limits for fish for several fish species, including snapping turtles, and certain frog species, and the listing of certain species as endangered, special concern, or threatened. Specific amendments include changes to the waters managed as Lunker Bass Lakes and the warmwater Conservation Regulations, as well as modifications to the regulations on Trophy Trout Lakes. The changes would also add freshwater drum to the definition of potentially dangerous fish and updates to the scientific and common names used throughout.
“We run probably the biggest kids’ fishing tournament in the state at Spring Lake every opening day, and this proposal to eliminate the preseason closure would essentially remove all those trout that we stock for the kids,” said Greg Hueth from the Shark River Surf Anglers. Hueth said the Spring Lake opening day trout event has been a tradition for 65 years, with hundreds of trout stocked by the club, trout that potentially will be caught and removed before the kids get their shot on the opener.
“We get thousands of kids and their parents to attend for a great day of fishing all for free, generations of families enjoyed this long standing tradition and hundreds of kids have gotten their start fishing at this event,” said Hueth, adding “the town of Spring Lake, town council, and mayor are all strongly opposing the state changing of the opening day tradition.”
Wednesday’s public hearing will be held in the large conference room at the Assunpink regional office, thought written comments may also be submitted electronically by October 16, 2025 at dep.nj.gov/rules/rule-comment-form.
Public comments in written form can be mailed to:
Amanda Parker, Esq.,
ATTN: DEP Docket No. 07-25-07
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Legal Affairs
Mail Code 401-04L; PO Box 402
401 East State Street, 7th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
