NJ FISH AND GAME COUNCIL MINUTES May 9, 2017:

[AndyS]

Just a few highlights:

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
NJ FISH AND GAME COUNCIL
Central Region Office
Robbinsville, New Jersey
May 9, 2017
Chief Barno passed around a picture of Muskie pure strain from Greenwood Lake. It is the largest Muskie handled by the Division. It was collected in the trap net. It is 38 lbs, 49 inches.
Individual spaghetti tags are put on the fish and data is recorded at the hatchery. This is the same fish collected in 2010 which was 28 lbs at that time. It was released back into Greenwood Lake. Chief Barno passed around another picture from staff member Eric Boehm who was working in Perrineville Lake sampling of a Largemouth Bass weighing 7lbs.
Measuring from the same time period as last year, sales are down 4% in fishing licenses and trout stamp sales are 2.4% lower than last year. For the first time, we have flattened out on the non-resident trout stamp sales.

[RWole]

I can understand the trout stamps being down, a lot of people are complaining about the current stocking of just rainbows.

[tycomps]

"sales are down 4% in fishing licenses and trout stamp sales are 2.4% lower than last year"

wonder if there's been a corresponding spike in unlicensed/stamped fishing summonses. are current violations stats posted somewhere?

something like this- http://www.njcoa.com/highlights/H_12_05_06.html

[NJSquatch]

looks like the license counts are up and down from year to year

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/l...sales70-16.pdf

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by RWole

I can understand the trout stamps being down, a lot of people are complaining about the current stocking of just rainbows.

I don't understand the complaints. The volume of fish stocked statewide is incredible. Supplementing quantity vs variety until the hatchery upgrades is a very fair middle ground. You can still catch browns and brookies in a number of places. Plus club stocked fish swim into public waters. They're very catchable. I guess some folks need something to complain about lol (not directing this at you).

[Eskimo]

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Originally Posted by Jigman13

I don't understand the complaints. The volume of fish stocked statewide is incredible.

I agree. I think some people don't understand what a blessing the Fish & Wildlife stockings really are.

A few weeks ago, I was fishing on a reservoir which is probably one of the most heavily fished bodies of water in the world. I was catching-and-releasing pike, channel catfish, and hybrid stripers. It occurred to me that NONE of these fish were born in this body of water. ALL of the fish I was catching were born in the hatcheries run by Fish & Wildlife.

I know I constantly bitch that Fish & Wildlife should change their regulations to enhance the populations of wild-born Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass; but I am amazed and grateful for all the stocking of trout, walleye, pike, catfish, and hybrid stripers we receive for a paltry sum of $33.00.


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[Dave B.]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

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I agree. I think some people don't understand what a blessing the Fish & Wildlife stockings really are.

A few weeks ago, I was fishing on a reservoir which is probably one of the most heavily fished bodies of water in the world. I was catching-and-releasing pike, channel catfish, and hybrid stripers. It occurred to me that NONE of these fish were born in this body of water. ALL of the fish I was catching were born in the hatcheries run by Fish & Wildlife.

I know I constantly bitch that Fish & Wildlife should change their regulations to enhance the populations of wild-born Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass; but I am amazed and grateful for all the stocking of trout, walleye, pike, catfish, and hybrid stripers we receive for a paltry sum of $33.00.


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Agreed! I couldn't have said it better! Gotta include smallies, LMB and LLS among others too!

[thmyorke1]

Im fine with paying $33 a year to fish. But getting my friend's to fish is pretty tough. The fishing buddy deal doesnt work well for this matter. Id like multiple friends who will probably only be fishing a few times this year to pay cheap. There's that 2-day vacation license but it's non-residents only.

A good idea would to offer a "beginner's" permit. If it's their first time buying a license in NJ, they hardly pay, maybe like $5. At all times fishing they would need someone with a real license by their side. And next year they will have it void and will need to pay for full price (or the fishing buddy price, since if they're going to buy another year license they're probably going to buy it with their friend)

This way I can convince a lot of my friends to come fishing with me and still be legal. In the end I get like four friends who pay at $5 discounts, maybe one even buys a trout stamp. Then one of them decides to pick up the hobby and fish next year.

That's way better than charging $22 for a new angler who doesnt feel really convinced yet. It's about convincing new people to fish afterall.

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

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I know I constantly bitch that Fish & Wildlife should change their regulations to enhance the populations of wild-born Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass; but I am amazed and grateful for all the stocking of trout, walleye, pike, catfish, and hybrid stripers we receive for a paltry sum of $33.00.

In the era of $150+ rods, $200+ reels and $20+ lures the license is the cheapest part of the hobby.

I happily pay the license and trout stamp fees especially considering the opportunities F&G provides NJ fisherman.

[BT67]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

In the era of $150+ rods, $200+ reels and $20+ lures the license is the cheapest part of the hobby.

I happily pay the license and trout stamp fees especially considering the opportunities F&G provides NJ fisherman.

Amen!