Pre-season Trout Answer

[Billfish715]

This is the response that I received from Paul Tarlowe at the Div. of Fish and Wildlife about pre-season trout fishing and fishing on in season stocking days with closed waters. If regulations indicate that a body of water is closed on a certain day, that is the way it is for the entire season regardless of whether the water is being stocked or not. Mr. Tarlowe wrote the following:

My understanding is that all pre-season and in-season closures still apply since
the regulations within the state Fish Code still apply and have not been
changed. So if a water is normally stocked, even if not this year, it is still
closed. If it is a water that isn't normally stocked but is this year, it
remains open but any trout caught must be re released immediately unharmed.

If you have questions please contact our law office at 908-735-8240. Thanks.

[JimmyMas]

No stocking signs on the Raritan South of the route 206 Bridge. The area below the Bridge is posted but not in Manville.

[Billfish715]

Raritan River—Jct. of Raritan River N/Br., and S/
Br., to Rt. 206 bridge (4)

This is the way it's written in the regs. The Raritan is stocked to the 206 bridge according to the regs. Beyond that, seems to be where the bonus trout will be stocked. You'll have to find out from someone else when those fish will be put in. I don't know. But if they go in soon and the weather is nice, have at them.

The same goes for the Rahway River below Route 27 (St. Georges Rd.) in Rahway. C & R only. Mr. Tarlowe did say that a press release would be coming out tomorrow or Thursday.