Every year the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center opens its doors one weekend before Trout Season begins. Breaking slightly with tradition, this year will see the celeberation take place on March 23 and 24 – two weeks before Opening Day – from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
The Open House allows the NJ 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. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of trout production at Pequest, so be sure to come celebrate! The Exhibit Hall will be reopened for the event, so be sure to visit the building and tour the new exhibits.
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 year is no different, and instead of just focusing on fish, many different outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists will be invited to join in celebrations.
The best part of the celebration is the efforts made to get children involved in fishing, Kids between the ages of eight and 16 can try their hand at trout fishing before the season opens in the Education Pond. They will be given expert instruction by division staff, Wildlife Conservation Corps volunteers, and volunteers from Trout Unlimited. Kids under eight can try catching one of our trout in the "Kiddie Fishing Tank."
In the fields there will be beginner archery and shotgun ranges set up and staff will also be running shotgun and archery field sessions during the event so make sure you complete your workbook and register at www.nj.wildlifelicense.com.
Inside the Natural Resource Education Center, there will also be on-going fly-tying demonstrations and many different wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists with their artwork and equipment for sale. Don’t forget to look inside the newly renovated Exhibit Hall which will reopen on the Open House weekend and learn about the history of Pequest.
The Sportsmen’s Flea Market on the big front lawn around the driveway is sure to offer some good deals on both new and used equipment, lures, gear and so much more! 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 but you can still bring your own lunch and enjoy one of three picnic areas nestled in the heart of the Pequest Valley. Last year I got some of the best local honey and some rare Upperman style bucktails. You never know what you will come across at this great event. So come on out and lend support to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. They do an amazing job throughout the year and this is the culmination of all that hard work.
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. The address is 605 Pequest Road in Oxford, NJ 07863.
