New Jersey begins fall trout stocking with approximately 30,000 rainbow trout statewide
NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish & Wildlife program began its fall trout stocking Tuesday, Oct. 13, with approximately 30,000 rainbow trout scheduled to be released into waterways across the state over a two-week period.
According to New Jersey Fish & Wildlife, the stocking program includes approximately 29,000 two-year-old rainbow trout averaging 14 to 16 inches in length.
In addition, up to 1,000 broodstock trout, which are three-year-old rainbow trout averaging 18 to 22 inches, will be stocked.
Officials said the larger broodstock trout will be mixed into each truckload of fish to provide additional fishing opportunities throughout the state.
New fishing regulations are in effect for the fall season, including a minimum trout size of 9 inches and a daily limit of two trout.
All waters included in the fall stocking program may be fished immediately after stocking. Unlike certain other stocking periods, there are no closed waters during the fall stocking season.
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife said any significant changes to the planned stocking schedule will be posted on the state’s 2026 Fall Trout Stocking Schedule.
Anglers can find additional information about stocking locations and dates through the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife website.
The state also provides a Freshwater Fishing Digest containing fishing regulations and other information.
Fishing licenses and trout stamps can be purchased online through the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife licensing website.
