Fish and Wildlife Freshwater Stocking meeting - Feb 14

 The F&W reported that sales of fishing license and trout stamps in 2008 was down by 70,000 from 2007.  For 2008, 160,000 fresh water fishing license and 56,000 trout stamps were sold. 
Comments from the floor about people following the stocking trucks and how some fishermen's almost taking the trout out of the nets as they were being carried to the water.  As distasteful as that practice is, we were reminded that the 570,000 stocked trout are there for the public to catch and keep, unless otherwise regulated, thus the only violations are no license or exceeding the limit.  Being stupid is not a violation.

 For Monmouth and Ocean County waters here is part of the spring stocking plan. There are more small ponds that get trout but I'm not sure where they are. Direction to these and other trout stocked waters can be found at:  www.njfishandwildlife.com/accesscnty.htm

 Assunpink Creek -1360

Englishtown Mill Pond - 1350

Hockhocksen Brook -  1270

Lake Shenandoah  - 1830

Manasquan River - 11800

Metedeconk River North Branch -  4950

Metedeconk River South Branch - 4390

Mingamahone Brook  -  870

Prosper Town Lake - 1130

Shadow Lake - 1990

Shark River  - 1790

Spring Lake - 1250

Takanassee Lake - 1980

Topenemus Lake - 1480

Toms River - 4620

Toms River Trout Conservation Area - 1030

Yellow Brook - 360

The 2009 Spring Trout Stocking program will include Bonus Broodstock in selected ponds and lakes.  Broodstock trout are larger 3-5 pound, 2.5 year old trout that were used the previous fall to obtain eggs.  Some were stocked last fall and 390 will be placed in 9 small lakes and ponds.  The Echo Lake, Howell will have 30 in 2009 vice the 5 that were put there last year.  Heritage Park Lake in Atlantic County will have 50 vice 10 last year. Crystal Lake in Burlington County will receive 50 vice the 10 last year.