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ANGLERS CATCH SEA RUN BROWN TROUT

May 29, 1998

For more information contact:
Mark Boriek at 908-236-2118

As part of an ongoing evaluation of its new Sea Run Brown Trout Program, the Division of Fish and Wildlife reports two recent catches of sea run brown trout near the Point Pleasant Canal in Ocean County. Both fish, originally stocked as 8-inch fingerlings in the Manasquan River last October, measured over 13 inches in length and weighed more than a pound.

The Division's Sea Run Brown Trout program was developed to create a new fishery utilizing surplus brown trout from the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County and the two catches were part of the first stocking of 16,000 young browns. The Division will continue to stock 16,000 brown trout in the Manasquan River annually through the year 2001 when the success of the program will be evaluated.

After a period of freshwater residence, young brown trout will migrate to the ocean to mature. After one or two years, the fish return to their native freshwater rivers to reproduce each fall.

Sea run brown trout sport a silvery color that masks most of the spotting found on the body, although numerous small spots remain on the head. Anglers are asked to report all catches of brown trout in tidal water to the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries at 908-236-2118.