[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]NJ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries

Notice of Rule Proposal
Division of Fish and Wildlife Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:25-6

Public Notice

Take notice that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is proposing amendments to N.J.A.C. 7:25-6.1 through 6.3, 6.6, 6.8, 6.10, 6.13, 6.15, 6.17, 6.19, 6.20, and 6.22. A statement of the substance of the proposal follows: The proposed amendments include updating the Fish Code to modify existing seasons, size, or creel limits for fish for several fish species, including snapping turtles, and certain frog species, and the listing of certain species as endangered, special concern, or threatened per the updated lists at N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.13 and N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.17. Specific amendments include changes to the waters managed as Lunker Bass Lakes and the warmwater Conservation Regulations, as well as modifications to the regulations on Trophy Trout Lakes. The three-week preseason closure to fishing is proposed for removal on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds, as well as the addition of twenty-three new trout-stocked waters to the spring trout stocking program, and the removal of two waters. It also adds Freshwater Drum to the definition of potentially dangerous fish and updates to the scientific and common names used throughout.

The proposal is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register dated August 18, 2025.  A copy of the proposal is available from:  https://deptest.nj.gov/rules/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/proposals/proposal-20250818a.pdf; by request from the Division of Fish and Wildlife via email: njfwfish@deptest.nj.gov; and LexisNexis (free public access to the New Jersey Register, https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/njoal/).

A public hearing(s) concerning the proposal is scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

NJFW Central Regional Office
Assunpink Wildlife Management Area
1 Eldridge Road
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Large Conference Room

Written comments may be submitted electronically by October 16, 2025 at https://deptest.nj.gov/rules/rule-comment-form/; or

In hard copy to:

Amanda Parker, Esq.
ATTN: DEP Docket No. 07-25-07
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Legal Affairs
Mail Code 401-04L; PO Box 402
401 East State Street, 7th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

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