October 4, 2013
The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife recently stocked an additional 400 largemouth bass averaging 4 inches in length, and approximately 5,000 black crappies averaging 2 inches in Prospertown Lake (Ocean County). The stocking continues the Division's restoration of game fish populations which began in the spring. The Division also plans one last stocking in late October of bass, bluegills and channel catfish.
The lake, located within the Prospertown Lake Wildlife Management Area, had drained following the failure of the outlet structure in September, 2011. The lake was refilled over the fall and winter and stocked with 1,170 trout for the 2013 spring season.
In July, Hackettstown Hatchery staff had released 11,692 largemouth bass fingerlings averaging between 1.5 - 2 inches long. Approximately 3,500 other fish were also stocked, consisting of a mix of bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish, fathead minnows and golden shiners. These fish reproduced during the summer months to help build a forage base for the bass population.
Anglers can anticipate good populations of catchable size bass, sunfish and catfish during 2014, but are welcome to enjoy the lake now.