The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds anglers that New Jersey's fall and winter super-sized trout stockings provide some of the hottest trout fishing action during the coolest months of the year. The excitement starts with the fall statewide stocking of 21,000 trout measuring 14 to 24 inches in 16 streams and 16 ponds statewide, which has just been completed. These big fish disperse widely and are not a cinch to catch, which holds the promise of many of them waiting to be caught all winter long and well into spring.
The fall stocking is followed by the Winter Trout Lakes Stocking, which this year gets under way on Monday, November 22. Approximately 5,000 two-year old rainbow trout, averaging 14 -18 inches, will be stocked in 24 designated ponds and lakes over a three-day period. Those fish will provide even more action through the winter - even through the ice!
That's not all. Between the Fall and Winter programs approximately 15,000 brown trout, averaging about 8", will be stocked in the Manasquan River just above the tidal area as part of the Sea Run Brown Trout Program. More than 300,000 brown trout have been stocked since this program began resulting in some trophy sized fish, along with some very challenging fishing. Learn more at
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/crunbrn.htm on the division's web site.
The seasonal stocking programs in addition to the traditional spring season have put New Jersey on the on the map of year-round trout fishing states. For more information on the Fall, Winter, Spring and Sea Run trout stocking programs, as well as trout fishing in general, visit
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo.htm , also on the division's web site.
