In addition to the Holdover and Trophy Trout lakes, nine other lakes will receive between 30 and 50 of the 15 to 24 inch broodstock trout in addition to the normal allocation of production fish. Each year a different set of waters is selected statewide for the Bonus Broodstock program and there's bound to be an opportunity near you. The odds of catching a big one are in your favor if you try one of these waters: Amwell Lake (Hunterdon Co.), Barbour's Pond (Passaic Co.), Crystal Lake (Burlington Co.), Echo Lake (Monmouth Co.), Heritage Park Pond (Atlantic Co.), Milton Lake (Union Co.), Mountain Farm Pond (Hunterdon Co.), Rowands Pond (Camden Co.), and Verona Park Lake (Essex Co.).

Two waters that were temporarily suspended from the trout stocking program in 2008 due to dam repair projects, Mill Pond (Bergen Co.) and Harrisonville Lake (Gloucester Co.), will be stocked this spring in time for opening day.

Allocations were increased for Hockhockson Brook (Monmouth Co.) due to a stream mileage adjustment and more trout will be stocked at a new location in the Musconetcong Wildlife Management Area in the lower Musconetcong River. Anglers can park near the river in newly constructed parking lots on Bellis Road in Finesville (Hunterdon Co.).

Shaws Mill Pond (Cumberland Co.) will not be stocked this spring due to an ongoing dam repair project.

Several stocking points on Spruce Run Creek in the headwater area upstream of Glen Gardner were dropped due to low angler use, lack of public access and or lack of suitable in-stream habitat for stocked trout.

Anglers are reminded that additional access points to a number of trout stocked waters are provided through the good graces of private landowners. Please be respectful of their property. Be especially careful not to damage trees and shrubs. Take your trash with you, and any other trash you observe while fishing. Each year anglers lose access to excellent angling opportunities because of inconsiderate counterparts.

SPRING TROUT SEASON BASICS

Anglers should be aware that most trout-stocked waters are closed to fishing during the 3 weeks leading up to opening day (March 23 - April 11 at 8 a.m.). There are several waters that remain open for fishing. Farrington Lake (Middlesex Co.), Lake Hopatcong (Morris/Sussex counties), Lake Shenandoah (Ocean Co.), Prospertown Lake (Ocean Co.), and Swartswood Lake (Sussex Co.) are open year round to fishing. Seasonal or Year Round Trout Conservation Areas and designated Holdover Trout Lakes also remain open to fishing. Trout caught in any of these waters during this period must be released immediately. Note that fishing is not permitted on Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on April 11, 2009 at 8 am.

Trout can be harvested from the state's two Trophy Trout Lakes, Merrill Creek and Round Valley Reservoirs. Be sure to check the Freshwater Digest for regulations pertaining to these waters.

The state's sixteen major trout streams are stocked every week following Opening Day and are closed to fishing from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of stocking to allow the trout a chance to disperse. All other waters are open to fishing on stocking days, with most stocked at least three times. Since every county has waters that are stocked with trout, trout fishing opportunities are never too far away.

Fish and Wildlife places "Hook-a-Winner" jaw-tags on 1,000 brook trout stocked each spring. Anglers who catch a Hook-a-Winner trout should send their name, address, fish tag number and location of catch to:

Hook a Winner Program
Pequest Trout Hatchery
605 Pequest Road
Oxford, NJ 07863

Don't forget that a fishing license and trout stamp are required to fish for trout if you are 16 years of age or older. Children under 16 and New Jersey residents 70 years and older can fish for free. Licenses and stamps may be obtained through one of the many license agents statewide, or online.

2009 SPRING TROUT STOCKING UPDATES

May 19 - Trout Stocking Schedule is Revised for Week 6

April 29 - Gloucester City Pond (Camden Co.) and Laurel Pond (Cumberland Co.) were not stocked yesterday due to high water temperatures. Biologists will monitor the situation at these waters and stocking will resume if possible.

April 29 - West Pond (Cape May Co.) was not stocked today due to high water temperature. Biologists will monitor the conditions at West Pond and stocking will resume if possible.

April 29 - West Pond (Cape May Co.) was not stocked today due to high water temperature. The pond will be stocked next week as scheduled conditions permitting. The fish allocated for today will be redistributed to other waters during Week 7.

Gloucester City Pond (Camden Co.) and Laurel Pond (Burlington Co.) were not stocked yesterday due to high water temperatures. The alloted fish were redistributed between Greenloch Lake (Gloucester Co.) and Rowans Pond (Camden Co.). Biologists will monitor the situation at these waters and stocking will resume if possible. April 28 - Dahnert's Lake (Garfield) has been reopened for fishing by the Bergen County Parks Dept. as all tests came back negative.

April 22 - Dahnert's Lake (Garfield) has been closed to fishing by the Bergen County Parks Dept. pending water quality and other tests, and was not stocked with trout on April 21.

April 9 - The pre-season stocking of trout, which occurred over the three-week period before Opening Day, has gone according to plan and all trout-stocked waters have been stocked with their allotted number of trout.

April 3 - DEP Allows Temporary Water Flow Reduction from Lake Hopatcong

March 23 - Streams are currently unseasonably low throughout the state. This is not overly surprising as January rainfall was well below average, and February was the driest on record since 1856. However, it is spring and significant precipitation can change stream flow conditions overnight. Fisheries biologists are monitoring water levels and will know if any stocking changes are necessary.

Any deviations from the stocking schedule will be noted here, on the 2009 Spring Stocking Schedules page and on the Trout Hotline (609-633-6765).