New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife Back to State of NJ Homepage Back to Fish and Game Homepage Back to DEP Homepage 

TROUT SEASON OPENS SATURDAY, APRIL 10 AT 8 A.M.

January 27, 1999
March 17, 1999

For more information contact:
Paul Tarlowe at 908-637-4125

Saturday, April 10, is the opening day of the 1999 trout season in New Jersey. At 8 a.m. the season officially begins at all waters open to public angling.

This year, approximately 600,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout will be released into public waters by the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife. The trout are raised at the Division's Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Resource Education Center in Warren County.

"Adequate water levels are expected in most trout waters despite the drought conditions New Jersey has been experiencing since the summer," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "Once again, the trout leaving Pequest are in excellent condition and will make for outstanding fishing.

Fishing is a great family activity, providing countless days of outdoor recreation as well as an economic boost to many rural businesses throughout the state. Parents should note that a fishing license is not required for children under 14.

For those who have difficulty negotiating stream banks, the Division has compiled a list of New Jersey fishing sites that are wheelchair-accessible. More than fifty sites on public waters in 16 counties are highlighted. Anglers are also reminded that there are fishing sites for people with disabilities, constructed by Ramsey Outdoor Stores and the North Jersey Chapter of Trout Unlimited, along the Pequest and Big Flatbrook rivers within the Division's Pequest and Flatbrook-Roy wildlife management areas.

For more information about opening day, the list of fishing sites for the disabled, regulations or where to go to find trout, contact the Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Resource Education Center at 908-637-4125 or visit the Pequest page.

NOTE: Readers with touch-tone phones may wish to call the Division's computerized 24-hour trout stocking hotline for a weekly, updated list of waters slated for spring stocking beginning Wednesday, April 7. The number is 609-633-6765.