[Matt D]

I have fished the Raritan consistently now for the last 3 or 4 years, mainly from Manville through Duke Island Park. In that time I have caught many different species of fish including striped bass, however I have not yet caught a walleye. I have seen multiple caught while fishing but still believe that the population is relatively low. Without a stocking taking place, I think it would be in the best interest of the walleye population as a whole if the limit was brought down to one fish over 18 inches, with March 1 to April 30 being catch and release only. However, that would require Fish and Game to rewrite regulations and designate certain waters as naturally reproducing walleye areas. I would really love to see a stocking take place instead of changing regulations, but as you stated it would be a struggle with the state trying to restore the shad run.

What I think would be easiest for the state and great for the river is if the limits of all species stayed the same (so that they would not need to change regulations for different species based on the body of water), while removing the remaining obstructions in the Raritan being the Island Farm Weir and the Head gates at Duke Island park. With these removed, I think, they should let the shad, stripers, walleye, and everything else that is in the river find its own natural balance that works for the river as it is now. It would take a couple of years or possibly longer, but the fish that thrive best would survive and it would all be natural. I hope to see some type of change in the river and it will be interesting to see how the states decisions play out. Hopefully the river just continues to improve!