The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding the public that although the spring trout stocking schedule is over as of the Friday before Memorial Day, it’s just the beginning of fabulous late spring and early summer trout fishing.
The NJDEP says most trout anglers miss out on some of the best trout fishing of the year by not fishing after stocking ends. “Many trout waters actually have more fish in them now than when the season started,” reports sources at the NJDEP, explaining that every week of the stocking season there were more trout added to stocked waters with fewer are taken out, adding that their angler survey data shows that 70% of New Jersey trout anglers release most, if not all, of the trout they catch.
Another reason streams are teeming with trout this time of year is the stocking of approximately 40,000 additional fish, averaging more then 11 inches in length, during the last three weeks of the season. This is due to the Pequest Trout Hatchery’s production of trout in excess of the spring season goal of 570,000 fish. Those with a fishing license and trout stamp shouldn’t stop trout fishing now. Those who haven’t had a chance to trout fish yet, now is the time to get in on the late season trout fishing bonanza – more fish, fewer anglers, a win/win combination!
Fishing licenses and trout stamps can be quickly and conveniently purchased and printed online at www.nj.wildlifelicense.com or at more than 200 agent locations throughout the state. And don’t forget to introduce a friends and family members to fishing with the discounted Buddy License; the Fishing Buddy License offers both a current and a new angler (or two new anglers) reduced price fishing licenses! The new discounted licenses are available to resident anglers ages 16 to 65, or nonresident anglers over age 16, who purchase their freshwater fishing license with a "Buddy." Eligibility requires at least one new angler.
Looking for a place to fish? Get directions to more than 300 trout fishing public access points!
