Large Salmon Stocked After Year of Growth at Hackettstown

May 4, 2015

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More landlocked salmon, ranging in size from 10.9 to 19.2 inches in length, were recently stocked in three northern New Jersey lakes by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife. Tilcon Lake (Allamuchy Mt. State Park, Morris County) received 215 salmon, Lake Aeroflex (Kittatinny Valley State Park, Sussex County) received 247 salmon, and Wawayanda Lake (Wawayanda State Park, Sussex County) received 625 salmon.

The salmon were obtained from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in May of 2014 as 8-inch yearlings, and were grown to a larger size at the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery prior to their release. These larger salmon, averaging 15 inches, have been stocked since November of 2013, and as a result anglers have reported catching this hard-fighting fish species much more frequently. Many reports/photos of catches from all three lakes have been received, whether it be through the ice, kayak/boat fishing or even casting from shore, all pointing to an excellent fishery taking hold.

The salmon stocking program began in 2006 in lakes Aeroflex and Wawayanda; last year Tilcon Lake was added. (See the original 2006 DEP news release at www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2006/06_0038.htm.) Anglers are reminded that this time of year two salmon, measuring at least 12 inches, may be kept daily. The Division hopes to continue building this successful program; fisheries staff in Massachusetts have indicated they are planning to continue to work with the Division exchanging salmon for our northern pike fingerling surplus.

See www.njfishandwildlife.com/salmon.htm for more information on landlocked salmon in New Jersey.