NJDF&W Cancels 2014 State Stocking of Round Valley Reservoir

[The Broken One]

Due to an outbreak of a contagious fish disease (Furunculosis) at the State’s Pequest Hatchery, the annual state stocking on May 5th, of over 6,000 plus rainbows, has been canceled. This disease is very contagious, and state biologists have decided not to risk infecting the fishery at Round Valley. Instead, the infected fish will be disposed of in waters where they can not infect resident fish, and not holdover for next season.

Public Meeting Scheduled For March 8 at 10 am in the Centenary Theater (aka The Little Theater), located in the Seay Building, Centenary College, Jefferson Avenue, Hackettstown.

Fisheries Pathologist Dr. Jan Lovy and Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries biologists will present information on the proposed policy (see below) regarding management of the bacterial disease (furunculosis), which occurred this past fall at the Pequest Trout Hatchery, as well as a proposal to alter Spring trout stocking in order to protect the state’s trout resources.

RV Anglers Encouraged to Attend and voice concern and interest in this policy. All comments and questions will be entertained.

For example:
• How many year-classes might be affected
• Are there alternate stocking resources available that the state might use?
• Will the deficit in stocked fish be made up next year?

The NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife invites concerned parties to comment on their web site by March 9: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2014/troutmtg14.htm

RVTA Stockings Not Affected. RVTA’s Trophy Trout Stocking on March 22nd, as well as our regular club stocking on May 4th, will occur as scheduled, as these fish originate from a different hatchery.

 

[Hunter 2]

Good call.

[Salty Dog]

It would lead to a domino effect on current resident fish .

[Fishin Dude]

Nasty. I won't be eating any Trout this year, even though heat , as well as stomach acids will kill the bacteria, it still creeps me out.  I WILL however, still purchase a trout stamp. The money does go to a great cause, even with some bumps in the road along the way, such as this.  

[fluke - u]

 

[Surf Bird]

I bought a trout stamp and I just found out about the Trout CRUD. Will they have trout to stock  at all, or is it bust for the year? 

[how many]

buy the stamp they need the money to clean the hatchery and get a new batch of disease free fish.in other states it took a few years to get this done.