Anglers across New Jersey — including those heading to familiar spots in Hopewell Valley — will see expanded opportunities and simpler regulations when trout season opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 11.
This year’s season includes 19 additional days of fishing on many lakes and ponds, more stocked waterways, and a streamlined set of rules aimed at making the experience easier for both new and experienced anglers.
Locally, several popular fishing spots are already seeing activity.
Rosedale Lake and Stony Brook have both been stocked ahead of opening day and will continue to receive trout throughout the spring. According to the state’s stocking schedule, Rosedale Lake will receive a total of 1,560 trout this season, while Stony Brook will see about 3,000 trout added over multiple weeks.
Wargo Pond at The Watershed Institute is also back on the stocking list this year following repairs to the pond, with 360 trout scheduled to be added this spring.
More days, more places to fish
One of the biggest changes this year: pre-season closures for lakes and ponds have been eliminated, allowing anglers to fish year-round on nearly 100 bodies of water statewide.
The state has also added more than 20 additional ponds to the trout stocking program, expanding access — particularly in smaller, local water bodies.
Hundreds of thousands of trout
By the end of the spring season, New Jersey will stock more than 570,000 rainbow trout across the state, most averaging about 10½ inches in length.
In addition, thousands of larger “broodstock” trout — some reaching up to 26 inches — will be released, giving anglers a chance at catching significantly larger fish.
This year also marks the return of brown trout to New Jersey waters for the first time in more than a decade, with 20,000 fish added through a partnership with Pennsylvania.
Simplified rules
Fishing regulations have also been updated.
From April 11 through May 31, anglers can keep up to six trout per day, with a minimum size of nine inches in most waters. Beginning June 1, the daily limit drops to two trout — a change designed to extend fishing opportunities later into the year.
Staying informed
To make it easier to navigate the changes, new “Trout Stocked Waters” signs with QR codes will be posted at fishing locations, linking directly to up-to-date stocking schedules and regulations.
Anglers can also find information through the state’s online Trout Stocked Waters map, the Freshwater Fishing Explorer app, or the annual fishing digest.
What anglers need to know
Anyone age 16 or older must have a New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp to fish for trout.
Licenses are available online or through local agents, and discounted “buddy” licenses are available for those introducing someone new to fishing.
