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Winter Trout Stocking Begins November 19

November 7, 2007

Cooler temperatures and the approach of winter frequently signal the end of another fishing season for anglers. Lately however, more and more anglers are delaying the urge to shelve their passion and are discovering the additional fishing opportunities afforded them by Winter Trout Stocking Program.

The Winter Trout Stocking Program is administered by the NJ DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife. This highly successful program provides additional opportunities for Garden State anglers during the late fall and winter months by providing trout outside the regular spring and fall stocking seasons.

A total of 23 lakes geographically distributed throughout the state will be stocked with 5,030 rainbow trout (see list below). These lakes range in size from five to 100 acres and have shoreline access and/or boat launching sites. The trout are raised at the Pequest State Trout Hatchery in Warren County where the regular season trout are also raised.
As with changes recently enjoyed by anglers this fall, only larger two-year old rainbow trout averaging 14 to 16 inches in length will be stocked during the Winter Trout Program. As with the fall, these fish will have to be hand loaded at the hatchery since they are too large to fit in the fish pump normally used to load stocking trucks. Two-year old rainbow trout
Click to enlarge
Wintertime trout anglers eagerly await the stocking of trout in their favorite lake or pond. Although much of the winter fishing activity in these areas occurs during open water or unfrozen periods, many anglers look forward to the opportunity to catch trout through the ice.

In North Jersey, safe ice is usually present on most stocked water bodies during the winter. However, some of the parks where trout are stocked, particularly in the urban areas, prohibit ice fishing. Anglers should check with the individual park office regarding their regulations on ice fishing.

Proven methods for catching trout through the ice are using tip-ups with powerbait or fathead minnows, and jigging with small jigs or ice jigging flies. Traditional baits like worms, fathead minnows, meal worms and powerbait fished on the bottom during open water work well for those fishing from shore. Trout not caught this fall and winter will be awaiting anglers for opening day next spring!

Also keep in mind that the late fall stocking in central and south Jersey lakes means plenty of these fish are still out there.

Anglers should pick up a copy of the Freshwater Fishing Digest and familiarize themselves with the regulations pertaining to their chosen fishing hole. The Digest as well as other information about fishing in New Jersey is also available online at www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishing_fresh.htm. And be on the lookout this December for the new 2007 Freshwater Digest. This Special How-to issue is packed with great fishing tips for the beginner to the more experienced angler. Interested in fishing, but don't know how, this is an issue you shouldn't miss!

Whatever stocked water body you choose to fish, one thing is certain -- there will be rainbow trout waiting. Thanks to the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife, anglers suffering from freshwater withdrawal need not succumb to the winter fishing blues any longer.

Below is the list of waters being stocked with numbers of trout. Temporary program changes are noted below the list.

WINTER TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE 2007

Monday, November 19

Middlesex County
Hook's Creek Lake - 200

Monmouth County
Spring Lake - 190
Topenemus Lake - 180

Ocean County
Lake Shenandoah - 220

Sussex County
Little Swartswood - 390
Lake Aeroflex - 390
* Stony Lake - 190
Silver Lake - 230

Tuesday, November 20

Atlantic County
Birch Grove Park Pond - 180

Bergen County
* Mill Pond - will not be stocked in 2007 due to ongoing dam restoration

Camden County
Haddon Lake - 190
Rowands Pond - 100

Cumberland County
Shaws Mill Pond - 200

Essex County
Verona Park Pond - 220

Gloucester County
Mullica Hill Pond - 160

Hudson County
Woodcliff Lake - 230

Passaic County
Barbours Pond - 190
Green Turtle Pond - 360

Salem County
Riverview Beach Pond - 160

Wednesday, November 21

Hunterdon County
Amwell Lake - 160

Morris County
Mt. Hope Pond - 160
Speedwell Lake - 200

Union County
Lower Echo Lake - 160

Warren County
Furnace Lake - 350

PROGRAM CHANGES in 2007

* Temporary program changes that affect two waters, are as follows: 1) Lake Ocquittunk in Sussex County will not be stocked this winter because it will be lowered for aquatic vegetation control. Stony Lake (also located in Stokes State Forest) will be stocked instead, and, 2) Mill Pond in Bergen County will not be stocked due to ongoing dam restoration work. The trout allocation for Mill Pond will be redistributed to the remaining waters on that run (in Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Morris counties).

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Last Updated: November 8, 2007