Rinehart Brook:

[AndyS]

Rinehart Brook —
Brook Trout Restoration Project
A brook trout restoration project was initiated in 2017 on Rinehart Brook, a tributary to the Black River within Hacklebarney State Park. This restoration project, the first of its kind in New Jersey, was designed to assist the recovery of a struggling brook trout population by removing inter-specific competition exerted by non-native brown trout, the dominant species in Rinehart Brook. Initially, 93 percent of trout in this stream were brown trout. Fish and Wildlife biologists removed more than 1,100 brown trout by electrofishing approximately 2 miles of stream eleven times. These efforts caused a dramatic shift in species composition, and by early October 2018, zero brown trout were found for the first time in the study! In that time the brook trout population has more than doubled. These initial results are very encouraging. The brook trout population has more than doubled,comprising nearly 100 percent of all trout present in Rinehart Brook. In addition, there was no evidence of a successful brown trout spawn during the fall of 2017, as no young-of-the-year browns were found during sampling the following spring. Biologists will continue to remove brown trout and monitor the brook trout population through electrofishing.

[kevin kovach]

This state is so stupid. I loved fishing that stream years ago, there were times I would go there and only fish trout brook and Reinharts brook. The past ten years the amount of trout has dwindled to almost nothing, not even worth my time anymore. Catching those wild browns were a beautiful thing. Now a thing of the past for sure. Just another reason to get out of this state.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by kevin kovach

This state is so stupid. I loved fishing that stream years ago, there were times I would go there and only fish trout brook and Reinharts brook. The past ten years the amount of trout has dwindled to almost nothing, not even worth my time anymore. Catching those wild browns were a beautiful thing. Now a thing of the past for sure. Just another reason to get out of this state.

They only started this like last year, so the fact that you describe the fishing their poor from the last decade should show it was worth the try to remove brown trout to recover the brook trout population.

If your upset Rhinehart doesn't have a good brown trout fishery anymore, you can drive to the next stream over and catch even better brown trout.

I think this was a good project by f&w, there's already success with a nice brook trout population growing. The end result is a quality brook trout stream while the numerous brown trout streams remain throughout the state.

I really don't get how anyone can be mad at this project when they consider themselves an advocate for wild trout.

[AndyS]

I'm so corn-fused on this one ! Where did they put the 1100 Brown Trout ???

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I'm so corn-fused on this one ! Where did they put the 1100 Brown Trout ???

"Fish and Wildlife biologists removed more than 1,100 brown trout":

Removed, as in killed / dead.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

"Fish and Wildlife biologists removed more than 1,100 brown trout":

Removed, as in killed / dead.

Thanks for clearing that up, Mark.

I understand relocating was near impossible being far far from any road or trail to bring in something to carry any good amount of live fish.

Wondering how they will address brown trout from the black river going up into the brook, some barrier?