It’s shaping up to be another banner fall for New Jersey trout stocking with state officials kicking plenty of treats for those looking to trick a few rainbows during the Halloween month.
From October 8-11 and again from October 15-16, 36 venues spread over 20 counties will receive approximately 20,000 2-year old rainbows averaging a robust 15 to 16 inches in length, plus another 1,000 spent breeders between 3 and 5 pounds, a percentage of which will be included in every delivery, will be stocked (Cape May County’s Ponderlodge Pond is included in the November’s Winter program).
According to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (Division), the stocking of Mill Pond has been suspended this fall due to severe siltation that has built up over time which was exacerbated by the increase in strong storm events in recent years. Fish that were allocated to Mill Pond will be stocked in North Hudson Park Lake and Verona Park Lake.
Barring low flows, algae blooms or any type of catastrophe that will affect the schedule and/or numbers (if such occurs it will be announced by New Jersey’s Division of Fish & Wildlife), it looks like another great autumn trout season in the Garden State beginning in October.
Tuesday, October 8: North Branch Metedeconk (160), South Branch Metedeconk (270), Toms River and TCA (260 and 100), Manasquan River (480), North Branch Raritan River (940), Paulins Kill (1,580), Black River (330).
Wednesday, October 9: Pequest River and TCA (1,410 and 210), Musconetcong River and TCA (2,730 and 150).
Thursday, October 10: Wallkill River (510), Big Flat Brook (1,530), Rockaway River (1,380), Pohatcong Creek (1,010).
Friday, October 11: Ramapo River (970), South Branch Raritan and Ken Lockwood Gorge (1,950 and 260), Wanaque River (370).
Tuesday, October 15: Giampietro Park Pond (180), Hammonton Lake (230), Mary Elmer Lake (210), Maurice River (180), Crystal Lake (230), Grenloch Lake (180), Oak Pond (180), Sylvan Lake (180), Lower Echo Park Pond (180) and Speedwell Lake (230).
Wednesday, October 16: Greenwich Lake (190), Iona Lake (220), Schadler’s Sand Wash Pond, (160), Swedesboro Lake (220), Colonial Lake (190), Roosevelt Park Pond (190), Rosedale Lake (210), North Hudson Park Lake (310) and Verona Park Lake (310).
Remember, the daily limit is four at the statewide 9-inch minimum. No closed dates; the waters can be fished while being stocked. And except for New Jersey’s “Free Fishing Day” on Saturday, October 19, a freshwater license and trout stamp are required to fish for trout.
Tom Pagliaroli
