PEQUEST OPEN HOUSE AND FISH FESTIVAL
(04/52) TRENTON--- Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M.
Campbell today announced Pequest Trout Hatchery's 20th annual
Open House and Fish Festival will be celebrated next weekend,
May 22 and 23 in Oxford, Warren County.
The DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife raises more than
700,000 trout at Pequest Hatchery every year for stocking
in public waters throughout New Jersey.
"The Fish Festival offers an excellent opportunity
to find out why fishing has never been better in New Jersey.
Whether you are a beginner, a seasoned angler or someone
looking to be lured back to this relaxing and rewarding
sport, I am sure you will enjoy this special event,"
Campbell said. "I encourage everyone to join the celebration
at Pequest."
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day,
and admission is free.
This year's main attraction is a giant mobile aquarium
stocked with a variety of warmwater fish for fishing demonstrations
by several angling professionals.
The festivities also will feature demonstrations by representatives
of New Jersey Trout Unlimited, The Newark Bait and Fly Casters,
The Knee Deep Club and The Jersey Coast Anglers. Visitors
can test various types of fishing equipment and learn proper
techniques for fish handling, cleaning, filleting and cooking.
Children can participate in many activities including a
gill net maze, aquatic insect safari, fish printing and
fish feeding.
DEP's Fish and Wildlife staff will be on hand to answer
questions about freshwater fisheries management. In addition,
there will be a living history encampment featuring early
fishing tools and techniques, as well as wildlife artists
and taxidermists who specialize in fish.
Pequest Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center
is located on Route 46, nine miles west of Hackettstown.
Attending the Fish Festival is an excellent way to spend
some leisure time in New Jersey. And don't forget New Jersey's
Free Fishing Days on June 12 and 13. For more information,
visit the Division's Web site at www.njfishandwildlife.com.
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