{"id":2684,"date":"2022-01-31T02:02:18","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T02:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?page_id=2684"},"modified":"2026-04-01T16:24:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:24:02","slug":"fall-trout-fishing-in-new-jersey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/fall-trout-fishing-in-new-jersey\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Trout Fishing in New Jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube horizontal-video wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why We Toss Trout\" width=\"540\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CeufHqk9MzA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Featured Video<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/CeufHqk9MzA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Why We Toss Trout\n<\/strong><\/a> <i class=\"fa-brands fa-youtube text-danger\" title=\"YouTube Video\"><\/i><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>March 19, 2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@NJDEP-Fish-and-Wildlife\"><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Why do we toss trout when stocking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During trout stocking, hatchery staff look for appropriate locations along waterways to toss trout. This toss helps energize the fish and gets water moving through their gills. We do not dip or place the fish near the edge of the water where they are more prone to predation and other dangers. Tossing the trout also increases stocking efficiency and staff safety by preventing falls when carrying heavy nets of fish near slippery streambanks&#8230;. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/CeufHqk9MzA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn More<\/a> <i class=\"fa-regular fa-arrow-up-right-from-square\" style=\"color: #2c51b3\"><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@NJDEP-Fish-and-Wildlife\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watch More Freshwater Fishing Videos on YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/trout-fishing-information\/fall-trout-stocking-schedule\/\">Fall Trout Stocking Schedule<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/trout_angler_fall1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/trout_angler_fall1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Fall fly fisherman\" class=\"wp-image-2685\" style=\"width:384px;height:286px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/trout_angler_fall1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/trout_angler_fall1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/trout_angler_fall1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/trout_angler_fall1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Enjoy the magic of fall trout fishing!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fall Trout Stocking Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fall trout stocking has become one of the most popular stocking programs offered by NJDEP Fish &amp; Wildlife. Trout stocking will now begin <strong>Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and continue throughout the following week<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NJDEP Fish &amp; Wildlife will stock a total of approximately 29,000 two-year-old Rainbow Trout, averaging 14-16 inches over a three-week period. In addition to these trout, up to 1,000 Broodstock trout (three-year old rainbow trout, averaging 18-22 inches) are also stocked. Broodstock trout are mixed in with each truckload of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>All fall-stocked waters may be fished as soon as they are stocked (no &#8220;closed waters&#8221; during fall stocking).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please Note:<\/strong> The stocking of Mill Pond has been suspended due to severe siltation that has built up over time and has been exacerbated by the increase in strong storm events in recent years. Fish that were allocated to Mill Pond will be stocked in North Hudson Park Lake and Verona Park Lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The complete list of fall-stocked waters is available through the <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/trout-fishing-information\/fall-trout-stocking-schedule\/\">Fall Trout Stocking Schedule<\/a> webpage or the&nbsp;Trout Stocking Hotline at <i class=\"fa-solid fa-phone\" title=\"Phone Number\"><\/i> <a href=\"tel:609-940-7266\"><strong>609-940-7266<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;A stocking schedule will be posted this Fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need help finding one of these trout-stocked waters, refer to the list of fishing access locations&nbsp;<a href=\"#links\">linked below<\/a>&nbsp;for directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other waters offer fine trout fishing opportunities even though they are not stocked in the fall. Holdover Trout Lakes, like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.njparksandforests.org\/parks\/kittval.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake Aeroflex<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.njparksandforests.org\/parks\/wawayanda.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake Wawayanda<\/a>, provide year round trout fishing opportunities. Those waters, along with Tilcon Lake in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.njparksandforests.org\/parks\/allamuch.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Allamuchy Mountain State Park<\/a>, are included in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/landlocked-salmon-in-new-jersey\/\">landlocked salmon stocking program<\/a>. All three yield harvestable size salmon (12 inches).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/troutonleaves.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"719\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/troutonleaves.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2686\" style=\"width:388px;height:243px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/troutonleaves.jpg 719w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/troutonleaves-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Tom Pagliaroli<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our two&nbsp;Trophy Trout Lakes,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.njparksandforests.org\/parks\/round.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Round Valley<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/merrillcreek.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Merrill Creek<\/a> <i class=\"fa-regular fa-arrow-up-right-from-square text-primary\" title=\"External Web Page\"><\/i> Reservoirs, are also great trout fishing destinations. Shoreline fishing on Round Valley is particularly popular in the fall, as big rainbows cruise the shallows. See the current&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/digest-freshwater-fishing-2026-complete.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Freshwater Fishing Digest<\/strong><\/a> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-file-pdf text-danger\" title=\"Adobe Acrobat PDF File\"><\/i> for special area regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trout fishing will really heat up once fall stocking gets underway. The line-busting, bragging-size trout being stocked in October will test the skills of anglers fishing with lightweight tackle, leaving some anglers with fond memories, to last a lifetime, about the big one that got away. Whether you chose to fish for stocked or wild trout, there are plenty of trout-fishing opportunities in the Garden State. So take the time from your busy schedules to enjoy trout fishing during the splendor of fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/trout-waters-alphabetical\/\">Fishing Access to NJ Trout Waters &#8211; Alphabetical Listing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/trout-waters-by-county\/\">Fishing Access to NJ Trout Waters &#8211; Listed by County<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/regulations-and-permits\/\">Fishing Regulations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/landlocked-salmon-in-new-jersey\/\">Landlocked Salmon in New Jersey<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/fishing\/freshwater\/trout-fishing-information\/\">Trout Fishing in New Jersey<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Featured Video Why We Toss Trout March 19, 2026 Why do we toss trout when stocking? During trout stocking, hatchery staff look for appropriate locations along waterways to toss trout. This toss helps energize the fish and gets water moving through their gills. We do not dip or place the fish near the edge of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":12,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2684","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2684"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65774,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2684\/revisions\/65774"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}