Do you know which freshwater fish is the ultimate catch in New Jersey? If you guessed Trout, you’re right! Trout are arguably the most popular freshwater fish in the Garden State. They’re so revered here that Brook Trout are even the official state fish! But when can you fish for them? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Trout fishing season in New Jersey.
In the following sections, you’ll learn all about the best times to fish for Trout. We’ll also run you through the top Trout fishing spots in New Jersey and include additional information on rules and regulations. Don’t worry, there will also be plenty of tips on how to outsmart Trout. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
New Jersey Trout Season, Size, and Bag Limits
| Season start date | April 6, 2024 |
| Season end date | April 5, 2025 |
| Total minimum length | 9 inches |
| Daily bag limit per person | 4 |
Please note that this is a general overview. Seasonal, size, and bag regulations vary by fishery and species. For more details, read the sections below.
Trout Fishing Season
New Jersey has a continuous stocking program that takes place every spring, summer, and winter, and encompasses over 200 waterways. Pair that up with its naturally reproducing Trout, and it comes as no surprise that the state boasts year-round angling opportunities for these freshwater beauties.
The official Trout fishing season starts in spring and ends in spring of the following year. For example, the current season began on April 6, 2024, and will last until April 5, 2025. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But it’s not…
While the official season runs throughout the entire year, not all fisheries adhere to the same regulations.
Stocking usually starts three weeks before the season’s opening, and all ponds, lakes, and streams being stocked are closed to fishing during this period. In other words, fishing is prohibited between March 18, 2024, and April 6, 2024, for all Trout-stocked streams such as Hakihohake Creek, Lopatcong Creek, Pophandusing Creek, and the Raritan and Saddle Rivers.
However, some bodies of water, such as the Holdover Trout Lakes, Lake Hopatcong, Mountain Lake, Lake Shenandoah, Lawrence Brook, Prospertown Lake, and Swartswood Lake, are exceptions to this rule. They don’t have any Trout fishing season closures and remain open during this period for catch and release.
Speaking of catch-and-release fishing, there are numerous fisheries where you can fish for Trout year-round but you must immediately release them unharmed. Ken Lockwood Gorge and Flat Brook, for example, are designated “Catch-and-Release Areas,” meaning you cannot keep Trout from these waters.
Finally, you should be aware of “Boundary Waters” which are both catch-and-release and seasonal. That’s how the Delaware River is open for Trout fishing between April 13, 2024, and October 15, 2024. You can still fish outside this season, but Trout caught at other times has to be released instantly.
Long story short, besides the general rules, you should be aware of special regulations for Catch-and-Release Areas, Trout Conservation Areas, Wild Trout Streams, and Boundary Waters. For more information on stocking and seasonality visit the Fish and Wildlife Department’s website.
Trout Bag Limits
The overall rule is that you should not possess more than four Trout. But the rules differ depending on the Trout species. And, as with seasons, bag regulations can vary based on the fishery, too.
Hakihohake and Lopatcong Creek, for example, have the regular limit of four Trout. However, if you catch four Trout on a single fishing trip, make sure you don’t have more than two Brown Trout. Wild Trout Streams such as Beatty’s Brook and Hickory Run also have a combined daily limit, and you cannot possess more than two Brown or Rainbow Trout combined.
The Delaware River, however, is less strict and allows up to five catches per day during the Trout fishing season. Round Valley Reservoir in Hunterdon County, meanwhile, will bless you with six Trout as long as they’re of appropriate size. On the other hand, some fisheries in Trout Conservation Areas are highly regulated, so don’t expect more than one keeper on a daily basis.
Trout Size Restrictions
By now you should have realized that, while some widely accepted regulatory requirements exist, nothing is set in stone. The same goes for size restrictions. Generally speaking, your Trout catch should not be below the 9-inch mark. However, some areas have their own set of rules you must follow.
Brown Trout taken from Hakihohake and Lopatcong Creeks must be at least 12 inches long to be considered a keeper. Meanwhile, Trout reeled in from any Trout Conservation Area cannot be smaller than 15 inches. At the same time, the Delaware River and some Wild Trout Streams, such as Hickory Run, do not impose any size limitations.
Again, the wisest thing to do is confirm ahead of time what rules and regulations apply to the NJ body of water where you want to fish for Trout during its season.
Best Trout Fishing Spots in New Jersey
New Jersey is awash with Trout fishing corners. Truth be told, you can wet your line in almost any freshwater fishery and end up with a decent Trout catch. But in case you need suggestions on where the hottest bite is and where the trophy fish hide, here are several famous locations to get you going:
- Lake Hopatcong. Lake Hopatcong takes pride in being the largest lake in New Jersey. It’s no wonder that it’s home to a large number of fish species, including a healthy and thriving population of Lake Trout. The lake is stocked regularly, and it’s ideal for charter fishing.
- The Delaware River. This is the perfect fishery for all Trout species. So, if you can’t make up your mind on whether to go after Brown, Brook, or Rainbow Trout, hit the Delaware River. The upper section, in particular, yields great results.
- Merrill Creek Reservoir. Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County is a year-round Brown and Rainbow Trout playground. You can also catch Lake Trout here throughout the year, but the time frame between September 16, 2024, and November 30, 2024, is reserved for catch and release only.
- Round Valley Reservoir. This is one of the premier Trout fishing spots in New Jersey, where you can find trophy-sized Rainbow, Brown, and Lake Trout. The reservoir’s deep and cold waters almost never fail to produce brag-worthy catches.
- The Raritan River. More precisely, the South Branch of the Raritan River boasts serious Trout-filled waters. This is pure heaven for all fly fishing anglers. Plus, the Ken Lockwood Gorge area will leave you in awe with its scenic beauty and great Trout numbers.
How to Fish for Trout in New Jersey
Nail the timing right and you’ve won half the battle. Truly, if you understand the Trout fishing season, your pursuit will be much easier. And now that you know both when and where to look for Trout, you only need a nudge in the right direction on how to lure them your way.
Regardless of the season, though, you’ll have the best chance of landing a Trout in the early morning or late afternoon than during the middle of the day. In spring, look for them in shallow waters and along shorelines. In summer, when the temperatures are on the rise, Trout move to deeper waters. You’ll locate them at depths between 20 and 50 feet during this time.
Meanwhile, moderate fall temperatures allow Trout to scatter all over the area, meaning you can find them at all depths. But winter doesn’t mean slumber – quite the opposite! It means it’s time for ice fishing using tip-ups with powerbaits or jigging through the ice.
Speaking of baits and lures, Trout will fall for everything from earthworms, night crawlers, salmon eggs, powerbaits, and minnows to spinners, spoons, and crankbaits. When it comes to the most effective technique, you can try trolling, fly fishing, baitcasting, and spinning. If you need more information on how to go about catching trophy Trout, read our guide dedicated to Trout fishing.
Trout Fishing in New Jersey: A Neverending Season
While you can fish for Trout in New Jersey throughout the entire year, it’s important to remember that there are exceptions to this rule and that seasonality differs depending on the fishery and species. We hope this article gave you a detailed account of what you can expect when Trout fishing in New Jersey and an insight into how the differences in rules and regulations impact the Trout fishing season. Tight lines!
Have you ever been angling for Trout in New Jersey? Based on your experience, what season is the best for Trout fishing here? Hit the comment button below and share your thoughts with us!
