Trout Fishing Regulations

New Jersey Freshwater Fishing

Regulations in red are new this year.

Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout (and their hybrids and strains)
*ALL BROOK TROUT CAUGHT WITHIN THE BROOK TROUT CONSERVATION ZONE MUST BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED UNHARMED. The Conservation Zone includes all waters west of I-287 and north of Rt 202, extending to, but not including the Delaware River.
Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit	Exceptions
January 1–March 17	9 inches	4*	Trout-stocked waters with spring in-season closures are closed to fishing 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days listed for stocking (See listing below). Special regulation areas (Catch and Release Areas, Year-Round and Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas, Trophy and Holdover Trout Lakes and Wild Trout Streams). On lakes Hopatcong, Mountain, Prospertown, Shenandoah, Swartswood and the section of Lawrence Brook from Davidson’s Mill Road bridge to the Church Lane bridge, fishing is permitted during the period March 18–April 6 at 8 a.m. All trout caught during this period must immediately be released. Greenwood Lake and Delaware River—see separate regulations for boundary waters, Delaware River & Greenwood Lake
March 18–April 6 at 8 a.m.	Fishing prohibited on trout stocked waters. Catch and release for trout in all other waters.
April 6 at 8 a.m.–May 31	9 inches	6*
June 1–Dec. 31	9 inches	4*

Trout Stocked Waters Closed to Fishing on Spring In-season Stocking Dates
After opening day, these waters are closed to fishing from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on their designated stocking dates. Closures apply to all tributaries for 100 feet from the main channel. *All Brook Trout caught within the BROOK TROUT CONSERVATION ZONE must be released. There are no closures for ANY waters in the fall. Trout Stocking Hotline: (609) 633-6765.
Trout Stocked Waters Closed to Fishing (5 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Spring in-season Stocking Dates
Stocking Dates	Waterbody	County	Location
MONDAYS April 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13, 20	Manasquan River	Monmouth	Rt. 9 bridge downstream to Allenwood-Lakewood Rd. (Rt. 21), Wall Twp.
	Metedeconk River, N/Br.	Ocean	Aldrich Rd. to Ridge Ave., Howell/Lakewood Twps.
	Metedeconk River, S/Br.	Ocean	Bennetts Mill dam to twin wooden foot bridge, opposite Lake Park Blvd. on South Lake Dr., Lakewood Twp.
	Rockaway River**	Morris	Longwood Lake dam, Jefferson Twp. to Boonton Reservoir (aka Jersey City Res.), Boonton
	Toms River	Ocean	Rt. 528, Jackson Twp., to conﬂuence with Maple Root Branch, and Rt. 70 to Rt. 571, Toms River/Manchester Twps. (Exception: the section regulated as a Year Round Trout Conservation Area; see separate regulation.)
TUESDAYS April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14, 21	Pohatcong Creek**	Warren	Rt. 31, Washington Twp. to Delaware River
TUESDAYS April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14, 21	Raritan River, S/Br.**	Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon	Mill dam located 200 feet upstream from Schooleys Mountain Rd. (Rt. 517), Long Valley to junction with Raritan River N. Br. (Exception: the section regulated as Catch and Release.)
WEDNESDAYS April 10, 17, 24 May 1, 8, 15, 22	Raritan River, N/Br.**	Somerset	Peapack Rd. bridge in Far Hills Borough/Bedminster Twp. to junction with Raritan River S. Br.
THURSDAYS April 11, 18, 25 May 2, 9, 16, 23	Paulinskill River, and E/Br. and W/Br.**	Sussex, Warren	Limecrest RR spur bridge on E/Br., Sparta Twp., and Warbasse Jct. Rd. (Rt. 663) on W/Br., Lafayette Twp., to Columbia Lake
THURSDAYS April 11, 18, 25 May 2, 9, 16, 23	Ramapo River**	Bergen	State line to Pompton Lake, Oakland (excluding Potash Lake)
FRIDAYS April 12, 19, 26 May 3, 10, 17, 24	Big Flat/Flat Brook**	Sussex	100 ft. above Crigger Rd., Stokes State Forest, Sandyston Twp. to Delaware River (Exception: the section regulated as Catch and Release.)
	Musconetcong River**	Sussex, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon	Lake Hopatcong dam to Delaware River including all main stem impoundments except for Lake Musconetcong (Exception: the section regulated as a Year Round Trout Conservation Area; see separate regulation.)
	Pequest River**	Warren and Sussex	Pequest Rd., Green Twp. to Delaware River (Exception: the section regulated as a Seasonal Trout Conservation Area; see separate regulation.)
	Wanaque River**	Passaic	Greenwood Lake dam, West Milford, Twp. to Wanaque Reservoir dam, Wanaque Borough and from Wanaque Ave., Pompton Lakes Borough to Pequannock River, excluding the Wanaque and Monksville reservoirs.
** These streams are wholly or partially located within the Brook Trout Conservation Zone.

Boundary Waters (see Delaware River)
Locations	Species	Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit
Delaware River	All trout species	April 13 at 8 a.m.–Oct. 15 (Trout caught at other times must be released immediately.)	No minimum	5

Trout-Stocked Streams — Wild Brown Trout Managed *ALL BROOK TROUT CAUGHT WITHIN BROOK TROUT CONSERVATION ZONE MUST BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED UNHARMED.
Waterbody	Season	Species	Minimum Size	Daily Limit
Hakihohake Creek – Little York-Mount Pleasant Rd., Little York Alexandria Twp. to Delaware R. Lopatcong Creek** – Rt. 519, Harmony Twp., Warren to Delaware R. Pophandusing Creek** – White Twp., entire length Raritan River S. Br.** – Mill dam located 200 feet above Schooley’s Mountain Rd. (Rt 517), Long Valley (Hunterdon), downstream to Lake Solitude dam, excluding Ken Lockwood Gorge (Catch and Release Only) Saddle River** – Lake Street, Upper Saddle River Twp., to West Century Rd., Fairlawn/Paramus Boroughs	Jan. 1–March 17	Rainbow and Brook Trout*	9 inches	4 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout
	Jan. 1–March 17	Brown Trout	12 inches	4 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout
	March 18–April 6 at 8 a.m.	—	Fishing prohibited
	April 6 at 8 a.m.–May 31	Rainbow and Brook Trout*	9 inches	6 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout
	April 6 at 8 a.m.–May 31	Brown Trout	12 inches	6 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout
	June 1–Dec. 31	Rainbow and Brook Trout*	9 inches	4 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout
	June 1–Dec. 31	Brown Trout	12 inches	4 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout
** These streams are wholly or partially located within the Brook Trout Conservation Zone.

Trout Conservation Areas (TCAs) *ALL BROOK TROUT CAUGHT WITHIN BROOK TROUT CONSERVATION ZONE MUST BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED UNHARMED.
Year Round TCAs
Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit	Restrictions (in effect year round)
Jan. 1–March 17	15 inches	1	Only artificial lures may be used. Possession or use of bait (live or preserved) or any substance (natural or synthetic) that contains a concentration of bait scent is prohibited. Fishing is allowed during the spring in-season closures which apply to the river. All trout caught during these periods must be released immediately.
March 18–April 6 at 8 a.m.	Catch and release only
April 6 at 8 a.m.–Dec. 31	15 inches	1 (see #3 at right)
Year Round TCA Waterbody (County)			Driving Directions *
Musconetcong River**—Point Mountain Stretch (Hunterdon/Warren) Penwell Rd. bridge downstream to Point Mountain Rd. bridge (approx. 1.2 miles)			Rt. 31 to Rt. 57 E. Upper boundary: turn right on Penwell Rd. Lower boundary: turn right on Point Mountain Rd. Parking areas located near each bridge.
Toms River (Ocean) End of Riverwood Park (Tom’s River Twp.) downstream to Rt. 571 bridge (approx. 1 mile)			Rt. 195 (Exit 21) to Rts. 527/528 S. (Cedar Swamp Rd./ Veterans Hwy.) to Rt. 527 S. (Whitesville Rd.) to Riverwood Dr. to entrance of Riverview Park.
Seasonal TCAs
Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit	Restrictions
Jan. 1–March 17	15 inches	1	Only artificial lures may be used. Possession or use of bait (live or preserved) or any substance (natural or synthetic) that contains a concentration of bait scent is prohibited. Pequest River—fishing is not permitted during the first six in-season stocking closure dates. (See Trout Stocked Waters Closed to Fishing on Spring Stocking Dates, Trout Fishing Regulations). Fishing is permitted during the last in-season stocking closure date (May 24), but all trout caught between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. must immediately be released.
March 18–April 5	Catch and release only
April 6 (12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m.)	Fishing prohibited
April 6 at 8 a.m.–May 19 Gear restrictions do not apply	9 inches	6
May 20–Dec. 31	15 inches	1
Seasonal TCA Waterbody (County)			Driving Directions *
Pequannock River** (Morris/Passaic) Railroad trestle below Appelt Park, Bloomingdale, downstream to Hamburg Turnpike bridge, Pompton Lakes (approx. 1.3 miles)			I-287 (Exit 53). Proceed west on (Paterson) Hamburg Turnpike .34 miles. Right on Brant Ln. Railroad trestle below Appelt Park is the upstream boundary.
Pequest River** (Warren) Conrail Railroad bridge, located upstream of the Pequest Trout Hatchery Access Road, downstream to Rt. 625 (Pequest Furnace Rd.) bridge (approx. 1.4 miles)			Rt. 31 to Rt. 46 E, approx. 4 mi. to Pequest Trout Hatchery; paved parking lot.
** These streams are wholly or partially located within the Brook Trout Conservation Zone.

Catch and Release Areas
Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit	Restrictions
Jan. 1–Dec. 31	Catch and release all trout		All trout must be released immediately and unharmed. A person may not have any trout in their possession. Only artificial lures and flies may be used. Barbless hooks only, with no more than a total of three hook points. Possession or use of bait (live or preserved) or any substance (natural or synthetic) that contains a concentration of bait scent is prohibited. Fishing is allowed during the spring in-season stocking closures which apply to the rivers.
Catch and Release Waterbody (County)	Driving Directions *
Big Flat / Flat Brook (Sussex) Rt. 206 bridge downstream to the Roy Bridge on Mountain Rd., a distance of 4.2 miles, including the portion known as the Blewett Tract.	Upper boundary: Rt. 206 bridge, approx. 1.6 miles north of entrance to Stokes State Forest (Coursen Road). Lower boundary: Rt. 206 north, app. 1 mile past Stokes State Forest entrance, turn left on Rt. 560. At Layton bear left on Bevans Rd. (Rt. 640) towards Walpack. Continue south 3.4 miles (NPS Rd 615), left onto Fish and Wildlife Rd. to Roy Bridge.
Raritan S. Br.—Ken Lockwood Gorge (Hunterdon) Section of S. Br. within the Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area (approx. 2.2 miles).	Ken Lockwood Gorge — Road in gorge is closed to through traffic. Route 31 to Rt. 513. Upper boundary: Turn right at Hoffman’s Crossing Rd., take first right after bridge. Lower boundary: Turn right onto Silverthorne-Cokesbury Rd., turn left after crossing river. Park only in designated areas.

Wild Trout Streams
Native Brook Trout Streams (Brook Trout Dominant)
Species	Minimum Size	Season	Daily Limit	Gear
Brook Trout	Catch & Release	April 6 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 15 Catch and Release at all other times	2 Brown or Rainbow Trout combined	Fishing allowed year-round Artificials only, with no more than 3 hook points in total, all barbless Possession or use of bait, or synthetic bait with bait scent prohibited
Rainbow Trout	No min. size
Brown Trout	No min. size

Wild Trout Streams (Multiple wild trout species present)
Species	Minimum Size	Season	Daily Limit	Gear
Brook Trout	Catch & Release in Zone	April 6 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 15 Catch and Release at all other times	2 Brown or Rainbow Trout combined	Fishing allowed year-round Artificials only, with no more than 3 hook points in total, all barbless Possession or use of bait, or synthetic bait with bait scent prohibited
Rainbow Trout	9”
Brown Trout	9”

Wild Brown Trout Enhancement Streams (Brown Trout dominant, other wild trout species may be present)
Species	Minimum Size	Season	Daily Limit	Gear
Brook Trout	Catch & Release in Zone*	April 6 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 15 Catch and Release at all other times	2 Brown or Rainbow Trout combined	Fishing allowed year-round Artificials only, with no more than 3 hook points in total, all barbless Possession or use of bait, or synthetic bait with bait scent prohibited
Rainbow Trout	9”
Brown Trout	12”

* Saddle River is outside the Brook Trout Conservation Zone therefore a 9 inch limit for brook trout applies.

Trout Lakes
Trophy Trout Lakes
Waterbody (County)	Species	Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit
Merrill Creek Reservoir (Warren)	Brown & Rainbow Trout (and their hybrids) and Landlocked Atlantic Salmon	Open year round	15 inches	2 combined
	Lake Trout	Jan. 1–Sept. 15	15 inches	2
		Sept. 16–Nov. 30	Catch and release only
		Dec. 1–Dec. 31	15 inches	2
Round Valley Reservoir (Hunterdon)	Brown & Rainbow Trout (and their hybrids)	Open year round	15 inches	2 combined
	Lake Trout	Jan. 1–Sept. 15	15 to less than 24 inches AND greater than or equal to 24 inches	6 AND 1
		Sept. 16–Nov. 30	Catch and release only
		Dec. 1–Dec. 31	15 to less than 24 inches AND greater than or equal to 24 inches	6 AND 1
Holdover Trout Lakes
Waterbody (County)	Species	Season	Minimum Size	Daily Limit
Clinton Reservoir (Passaic) Lake Aeroﬂex* (Sussex) *Lake Wawayanda (Sussex) Sheppard Lake (Passaic) Tilcon Lake* (Morris) White Lake (Warren)** *Waterbodies stocked with salmon	Brown & Rainbow Trout and their hybrids	Jan. 1–March 17	9 inches	2
		March 18–April 6 at 8 a.m.	Catch and release only
		April 6 at 8 a.m.–May 31	9 inches	4
		June 1–Dec. 31	9 inches	2
	Landlocked Atlantic Salmon	Jan. 1–March 17	12 inches	2
		March 18–April 6 at 8 a.m.	Catch and release only
		April 6 at 8 a.m.–Dec. 31	12 inches	2