NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish & Wildlife (NJDEP Fish & Wildlife) will begin its annual fall trout stocking program on October 14, releasing approximately 20,000 two-year-old rainbow trout into waterways across the state over a two-week period.
The trout, which average 14 to 16 inches in length, will be distributed to enhance recreational fishing opportunities statewide. In addition, up to 1,000 broodstock trout — three-year-old rainbow trout averaging 18 to 22 inches — will be included in the stocking. The broodstock fish are mixed into each truckload, providing anglers with a chance to catch larger trout throughout the season.
However, officials said this year’s stocking schedule has been modified due to low river and stream flow conditions. Some locations with poor water flow will be excluded from the fall program to protect fish health.
“Any significant deviation from stocking will be noted on the 2025 Fall Trout Stocking Schedule,” NJDEP Fish & Wildlife said in a statement. The full schedule is available online at dep.nj.gov/fishandwildlife.
All waters stocked in the fall are open to fishing immediately after stocking, with no closed periods in effect during the fall season.
