(15/P57) TRENTON – As part of its efforts to introduce freshwater fishing to families and novices across the state, the Christie Administration is holding Free Fishing Days this Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, Oct. 17.

On these two special days, anglers can enjoy some of the finest freshwater fishing in the Northeast without having to buy a license or a trout stamp. Free Fishing Days are designed to get families hooked on a new, exciting activity, while also giving out-of-state visitors a chance to sample New Jersey’s waters for fishing. Having a free fishing day in October will give anglers a chance to catch holdover spring trout and take advantage of fresh trout stocking for the fall.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for kids and families to learn about the pleasures of fishing and spend time together at some of the many great fishing spots we have across New Jersey, as well as our vast natural areas,’’ said Richard Boornazian, the Department of Environmental Protection’s Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “Free Fishing Days also gives us an opportunity to spread the word about the exceptional fishing here in New Jersey to the many out-of-state anglers that visit for the free fishing opportunity.’’

Free fishing on June 13 complements National Fishing and Boating Week, which also occurs each June. Although no license or trout stamp is needed, other regulations, including size and daily catch limits, will remain in effect that day, and for the free fishing day in October.

"Free Fishing Days are a great way to sample New Jersey’s freshwater fishing, which is among the best in the Northeast and has never been better,” said New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda. “This is an excellent way for first-timers and even entire families to kick back, relax, and take advantage of spending some quality time in the great outdoors.”
 
New Jersey has hundreds of local ponds and thousands of miles of streams and rivers that offer excellent opportunities for a great day of family fishing. Nearly every local pond provides plenty of action for bass and sunfish. For an added bonus, channel catfish, reaching several pounds in size, are stocked in many small ponds throughout the state. Trout stocked this past spring are also still available in a number of waters statewide, and opportunities abound to catch wild trout.

In addition, the Division of Fish and Wildlife offers trophy angling experiences by stocking muskellunge, northern pike, walleye and striped bass hybrids in New Jersey’s larger lakes.

The Division operates fish culture facilities at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery.

For more information on Free Fishing Days, visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com/ffd.htm

There you will also find three regional brochures to help you find lakes and ponds with public fishing access close to home. These “Great Fishing Close to Home” brochures contain information on each water body's acreage, the nearest town, site amenities, boat and shoreline fishing, the fish available and fishing tips for each species.

These brochures focus primarily on lakes and ponds with warm water and cool water fish. A comprehensive list of 'Where to' and 'How to' trout fishing information, including directions to more than 300 trout fishing access points, is also available on the Fish and Wildlife website at www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo.htm

For those with mobile devices, the free Pocket Ranger® New Jersey Fish and Wildlife app provides on-the-spot information on the state’s fish species and how and where to fish for them.

The app also has powerful GPS capabilities, is a comprehensive information source for all the state’s fish and wildlife species, and provides extensive mapping of public open spaces and access points for hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife watching. Both Apple and Android versions of the app can be downloaded at www.pocketrangerexchange.com/apps/nj-fw/apps.php

Anglers are urged to respect private landowners who allow fishing on their properties by obeying boundary signs and not littering. Fishing regulations can be found in the Freshwater Fishing Digest at www.njfishandwildlife.com/digfsh.htm