NJ Freshwater Regulations Update

[Gerry Zagorski]

This from NJ Fish and Game:

New Freshwater Fishing Regulations will go into effect February 17. The new rules are designed to provide more angling opportunities and to simplify the regulations, while providing adequate protection of our fisheries resources.

Major changes include:

Removal of the traditional preseason closure on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds; the preseason closure will remain in effect on all rivers and streams.
Opening Day of trout season is now established as the second Saturday in April.

23 new small ponds will be stocked with trout.

The daily creel limit of 6 trout per day will remain in effect from Opening Day through May 31. The limit for the rest of the year will be reduced from 4 to 2.

Lake Trout regulations have been changed to allow for more harvest at Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs, and there is no closed season.
Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs are now managed under the Lunker Bass regulation set.

11 native fish species have been added to the Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern list.

These changes and other freshwater fishing regulations can be found in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing Digest.

Don’t miss our upcoming Freshwater Fisheries Meetings, held virtually at 7 p.m.:

Warm & Coolwater Fisheries Meeting - Wednesday, February 18 (register now)
Trout Meeting - Wednesday, March 11
Aquatic Invasive Species Meeting - Wednesday, April 22