Trout Fishing Regulations

*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.

January 1–March 19

9 inches

4*

1. Special regulation areas (Catch and Release Areas, Year-Round and Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas, Trophy and Holdover Trout Lakes and Wild Trout Streams).
2. 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 20–April 8 at 8 a.m. All trout caught during this period must immediately be released.
3. Greenwood Lake and Delaware River—see separate regulations for
   boundary waters, Delaware River Regulations and Greenwood Lake Regulations.

March 20–April 8 at 8 a.m.

Fishing prohibited on trout stocked waters. Catch and release for trout in all other waters.

April 8 at 8 a.m.–May 31

9 inches

6*

June 1–Dec. 31

9 inches

4*

MONDAYS

April 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22

Manasquan River

Monmouth

Rt. 9 bridge, Howell Twp. 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 Mills 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 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 23

Pohatcong Creek**

Warren

Rt. 31, Washington Twp. to Delaware River

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 12, 19, 26
May 3, 10, 17, 24

Raritan River, N/Br.**

Somerset

Peapack Rd. bridge in Far Hills Borough/Bedminster Twp. to junction with Raritan River S. Br.

THURSDAYS

April 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25

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 confluence with the Delaware River.

Ramapo River**

Bergen

State line to Pompton Lake, Oakland (excluding Potash Lake)

FRIDAYS

April 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26

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.

Delaware River

All trout species

April 1 at 8 a.m.–Oct. 15
(Trout caught at other times must be released immediately.)

No minimum

5

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 19

Rainbow and Brook Trout*

9 inches

4 combined
Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout

Brown Trout

12 inches

March 20–April 8 at 8 a.m.

—

Fishing prohibited

April 8 at 8 a.m.–May 31

Rainbow and Brook Trout*

9 inches

6 combined
Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout

Brown Trout

12 inches

June 1–Dec. 31

Rainbow and Brook Trout*

9 inches

4 combined
Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout

Brown Trout

12 inches

Jan. 1–March 19

15 inches

1

1. Only artificial lures and flies may be used.
2. Possession or use of bait (live or preserved) or any substance (natural or synthetic) that contains a concentration of bait scent is prohibited.
3. 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 20–April 8 at 8 a.m.

Catch and release only

April 8 at 8 a.m.–Dec. 31

15 inches

1 (see #3 at right)

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.

Jan. 1–March 19

15 inches

1

1. Only artificial lures may be used.
2. Possession or use of bait (live or preserved) or any substance (natural or
   synthetic) that contains a concentration of bait scent is prohibited.
3. 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). Fishing is permitted during the last in-season stocking closure date (May 26), but all trout caught between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. must be immediately released.

March 20–April 7

Catch and release only

April 8 (12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m.)

Fishing prohibited

April 8 at 8 a.m.–May 21
Gear restrictions do not apply

9 inches

6

May 22–Dec. 31

15 inches

1

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 0.34 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.

Jan. 1–Dec. 31
Fishing allowed year-round

Catch and release all trout

1. All trout must be released immediately and unharmed. A person may not have any trout in their possession.
2. Only artificial lures and flies may be used.
3. Barbless hooks only, with no more than a total of three hook points.
4. Possession or use of bait (live or preserved) or any substance (natural or synthetic) that contains a concentration of bait scent is prohibited.
5. Fishing is allowed during the spring in-season stocking closures which apply to the rivers.

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.

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

Clinton Reservoir (Passaic)

Lake Aeroflex* (Sussex)

Lake Wawayanda* (Sussex)

Sheppard Lake (Passaic)

Tilcon Lake* (Morris)

White Lake (Warren)

Brown & Rainbow Trout
and their hybrids

Jan. 1–March 19

9 inches

2

March 20–April 8 at 8 a.m.

Catch and release only

April 8 at 8 a.m.–May 31

9 inches

4

June 1–Dec. 31

9 inches

2

Landlocked Atlantic Salmon

Jan. 1–March 19

12 inches

2

March 20–April 8 at 8 a.m.

Catch and release only

April 8 at 8 a.m.–Dec. 31

12 inches

2