Fall Trout Fishing Opportunities - A Sneak Peak at Bigger Trout
By
Patricia L. Hamilton
Principal Biologist
September, 2005
DUE TO PERSISTENT
DRY WEATHER AND RESULTING LOW STREAM FLOWS THERE HAVE BEEN MINOR CHANGES MADE
TO THE FALL TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE. CHANGES ARE POSTED ON THE
FALL TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE PAGE
AND TROUT HOTLINE (609-633-6765).
|
What better way to soak up those warm rays of early fall sunshine than to fish
for trout at one of the 32 streams and lakes slated for trout stocking this fall.
Anglers can expect a relaxing fishing experience during the fall as the crowds
of spring trout anglers have typically dwindled. The fall foliage colors add even
more enjoyment to being outdoors this time of year. Trout anglers venturing forth
this fall will get a sneak peak of some the bigger trout the Pequest
Trout Hatchery will be routinely rearing for the fall stocking program in
the years to come.
The
trout, which are in excellent condition, are reared at the Pequest Trout Hatchery
in Warren County. The majority of the 47,000 trout being stocked this fall are
the standard production, one-year old rainbow trout, averaging 9½ inches. However,
approximately 13 percent of this total (6,000) are larger, two-year old brown
and brook trout, averaging 14 - 15 inches. These larger trout were reared to test
the ability of the hatchery system to produce two-year old trout for upcoming
changes to the fall and winter stocking programs next year. |
An
extra year of growth results in a considerably larger trout!
Click to enlarge
|
The 2005 fall stocking schedule may be found at www.njfishandwildlife.com/
or accessed through the trout hotline (609-633-6765). Anglers are reminded that
daily spring stocking closures on streams do not apply during fall stocking period.
In addition, several significant changes to the fall stocking program take effect
this year, as explained below, so anglers should take note and plan accordingly.
- Fall
trout stocking will occur over a two-week period
The stocking period has been shortened from three weeks to two. Approximately
the same number of trout will be released during these two weeks, as have been
traditionally stocked during this two-week period.
- Surplus
trout have already been stocked
The hatchery has already begun transitioning to the production of 2-year
old trout for next year's fall and winter programs. Surplus trout (averaging 5
to 6 inches), traditionally stocked during the third week of fall stocking, had
to be stocked months earlier to free up growing space in the hatchery raceways
for the bigger trout.
- Broodstock
trout will be stocked during the first and second weeks of fall stocking
Because the third week of stocking has been eliminated, these brutes will
now be stocked during Weeks 1 and 2. Approximately 1,000 three-year old broodstock
rainbow trout, averaging 17 - 18 inches, are slated for release during these two
weeks.
- Bigger
production trout being stocked
The hatchery is in the process of transitioning from the production of
one-year old trout (averaging 9½ inches) for fall stocking, to larger, two-year
old trout (14 - 16 inches) for the fall of 2006. The hatchery experimented with
the production of these bigger trout, and as result about 6,000 big two-year old
trout are available for distribution this fall.
Ponds and lakes have weathered the summer dry spell and splendid fishing conditions
should prevail on those scheduled to receive fall trout. Unless we get some much
needed rain, trout anglers fishing streams this fall will likely be challenged
by low flow conditions and wary trout. But those anglers who quest for trout this
fall will begin to experience the thrill of catching big trout, and those trout
that elude anglers should still be swimming around when opening day rolls around
next April.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
|