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Facebook Logo Freshwater Fisheries Research and Management  

The Freshwater Fisheries Research and Management Unit, within the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries, is responsible for the protection and management of the aquatic resources in the state's 26,000 miles of freshwater streams and over 400 public lakes. These diverse resources include habitat, fish and wildlife in waters from small, coldwater streams in the northwest to tidal rivers along the state's borders. Wild brook trout

To meet management goals and assure the long term protection of the state's aquatic resources, division fisheries biologists conduct fishery surveys on the state's freshwater lakes and streams, propose surface water classifications and provide technical input on a multitude of land use, watershed, and habitat based issues. Additionally, the unit also facilitates habitat restoration projects and serves as a liaison to a variety of forums concerning the status of the state's fishery resources. The unit, in coordination with the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, establishes season and daily creel limits for freshwater fish species. It also administers permits for fish stocking, water lowering, commercial harvests, and scientific collecting to further provide for the effective management and protection of the state's aquatic resources.

For more efficient management of aquatic resources, the state is divided into six regional management areas. In addition to administering to these regional responsibilities, each fisheries biologist has a specific area of expertise and oversees related research and management projects.

The Bureau's research and management activities are funded by New Jersey sportsmen, through the sale of fishing licenses and permits and through a Federal excise tax on the manufacturing fishing related equipment. Federal excise tax money is distributed through the Sport Fish Restoration Program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Permit Information
Fishes of New Jersey Lake Management Plans Sampling Protocols
Fish Fact Sheets Lake Survey Maps Classification of NJ Waters
Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program
2014-2015 Fish Code

For information regarding management programs, or about a water you fish in, contact the appropriate biologist using the topics or the "clickable map" below.

FRESHWATER BIOLOGISTS and RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Coldwater Research & Management and Federal Grant Coordinator
Upper Delaware River Watershed

   Patricia Hamilton, 908-236-2118

Anadromous Fisheries
Passaic and Hackensack River Drainages

   Mark Boriek, 908-236-2118

Warmwater Research & Management and Lake Habitat Projects
Lower Delaware River Watershed and Atlantic Coast Drainages

   Chris Smith, 609-259-6964

Native Fishes Management and Classification of New Jersey Waters
Raritan, Rahway, Navesink and Shrewsbury Drainage

   Shawn Crouse, 908-236-2118

Map of watershed areas Passaic and Hackensack River Watersheds Raritan, Navesink and Shrewsbury Watersheds Coastal Atlantic Watershed Lower Delaware and Coastal Atlantic Watersheds Upper Delaware, Pochuck and Wallkill Watersheds Mainstem Delaware River
Click on watershed region of water you are interested in to e-mail a biologist.
 

RELATED PAGES

arrow Fish Health in New Jersey
arrow Freshwater Fishing in NJ
arrow Genetic Diversity of Wild Brook Trout Populations in New Jersey: Conservation and Management Implications
arrow Coldwater Fisheries Management Plan
arrow Largemouth Bass Virus Information
arrow Pequest Trout Hatchery
arrow Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery
arrow Lakes Benefit from Habitat Projects

EXTERNAL SITES

arrow Nutrient Pollution - US EPA Site
arrow How's My Waterway? - US EPA Site
arrow Spawning Warmwater Fish at the Hackettstown Hatchery - NJ.com Video Feature
arrow Electrofishing a Small Tributary to the South Branch of the Raritan River - NJ.com Video

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Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: April 10, 2015