New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon Stocking Program continues with this fall’s stocking of large fish from the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery, officials said on Wednesday.
On Monday, Nov. 4, 650 salmon were float stocked by hatchery staff in Merrill Creek Reservoir located in Warren County.
The reservoir, a Trophy Trout Lake, has a miniumum size limit of 15″ – the stocked fish already or soon will meet the minimum legal length of 15 inches. The annual fall stocking of similar-sized salmon took place at three other lakes during mid-October as follows:
- Wawayanda Lake – 1,280
- Lake Aeroflex – 505
- Tilcon Lake – 440
Salmon caught in these Holdover Trout Lakes must be at least 12 inches long to be harvested. The daily limit is two salmon per day except during the spring three-week pre-season closure that precedes the opening day of the trout season in April. During that time frame all trout and salmon must be released immediately and unharmed, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s officials said.
Anglers are urged to report catches of these fish by e-mailing the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries at njfwfish@dep.nj.gov. You’re also asked to attach photos of your catch.
