Opinions needed! If you had a wish list for F&G

[EJS]

....What would be on that list? Would it be cleaner streams, more holdover fish, less dams on the rivers, better fishing access, restoration projects, stocking in smaller streams, lower the creel limits, lifetime license, a 25 year plan to improve the overall fishery, longer closed seasons, more catch and release areas, etc???

Yeah it's a serious question and I need some honest opinions!

[Wilson]

More enforcement of the laws that are already on the books and stiffer penalties for those apprehended,
Lower creel limits and catch and release areas might be doable.
Anything that will help curb the bucket brigadier's.

[Paul N Skill]

Lower creel limits and float stocking

[EJS]

Wilson, its funny how different counties have varying amounts of enforcement. Take Hunterdon & Somerset for example. Hunterdon has 10x the enforcement and has less population. Hunterdon's Park Rangers are armed law enforcement officers, while Somerset has glorified tour guides.

Paul N Skill, float stocking was traditionally done by F&G, now Trout Unlimited chapters seem to be the only ones float stocking.

[justin1982]

More catch and release only and more COs

[Chrisper4694]

Slots for game fish so that people could only keep smaller keeper sized fish or truly trophy sized fish but never 'big'. But that would be mute without better enforcement officers so I guess I'll second wilsons suggestion!

Also more free car top boat access to places like Hopatcong and rivers such as Passaic and raritan...I know there are a bunch but more wouldn't hurt! I just can't stand private property blocking access to public water!!

[Eskimo]

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Originally Posted by Wilson

More enforcement of the laws that are already on the books and stiffer penalties for those apprehended,
Lower creel limits and catch and release areas might be doable.
Anything that will help curb the bucket brigadier's.

Yes - This!
If Largemouth Bass are as valuable of an asset as Fish & Game calculates they are - then act like it.

The reality of the situation is the population density of New Jersey is reaching critical mass. If we are going to maintain sustainable quality bass fishing then changes are going to have to be made to the laws and how they are enforced.

The first issue is the overly generous creel limit. I don't know why it is five fish with a twelve inch minimum. My guess is it's a relic from the time when anglers didn't consider a day on the water as successful unless brought home a full stringer of fish. This simply is not sustainable and does not reflect the conservation-ethics of most bass anglers fishing today.



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[Jigman13]

More COs for sure. I know it's not in the budget but we def need like twice the number of what we currently have. I'd pay more for my license and trout stamp, which I'm sure many others would... Unfortunately the increase would likely not end up where it needs to go... It'd line bureaucratic pockets elsewhere...

[EJS]

Thanks everyone, that's a pretty healthy list filled with great ideas, many I hadn't given thought to!

What about funding? We all know the cost of a license and trout stamp. We all cringe at the price, but would anyone be willing to pay $1 more if it went to pay for more CO's, better quality fish, dam removal & stream restoration projects, or to build a trophy catch and release fishery, basically the items on your NJ fishing wish list? It's simply food for thought, I am in no way saying any of this is on the table or has ever been contemplated by F&G! This discussion is an experiment, a private survey of sorts.

I think we are all well aware of the current water conditions in our rivers, streams, lakes and such. The temps are rising fast, conditions are dangerous for many species. How important do we see dam removal in lowering water temps, returning flows, boating hazards, etc? Does anyone see benefit to keeping the dams in place and feel that removing them jeopardizes quality fishing?

Should supplying water to neighboring states take a back seat to NJ fishery needs?

I am simply picking your brains! Thanks again for the honest answers, and know your answers won't go to waste!

[Dave B.]

I'd like to see many of the same things others have stated here. More CO's for sure, more dam removals and stream restoration projects, add to the list more public access to many of our bigger and better streams.

Personally I'd have no problem at all with a license increase as Jigman13 mentioned. For the sake of clarity let me share a bit of info in that regard. Every dollar we as sportsmen/women spend for our licenses, stamps and permits goes into a dedicated fund called the 'Hunters and Anglers Fund' which the politicians cannot touch. This is protected by the state constitution. The monies in this fund are to used solely for the purposes of maintaining, improving and enhancing the hunting and fishing resources we have. This includes the law enforcement aspect as well as the freshwater, marine and wildlife biologists in the Div.
NJF&W also recieves funds from the USF&WS as reimbursements of federal excise taxes we all pay on hunting, fishing and boating gear. This money also goes directly into the 'Hunters and Anglers Fund'. Under the federal laws establishing and controlling these disbursements this money MUST go into a dedicated fund that cannot be used in any manner or by any other agency than a given state's fish and wildlife agency.

I share all this so that folks will know that should a license increase ever be proposed the money will definitely go into the Div and by law CANNOT be touched by the pols for anyone's pet project. Should this fund ever be raided by any politician we would instantly lose our federal reimbursement monies as well.
Gov. McGreevy tried once to divert several million from the 'Hunters and Anglers Fund' into the state parks & forests budget in his annual fiscal budget. Within a few days there were several lawsuits filed against him by NJ sportmens orgs including the NJ Fed. of Sportsmen, and the USF&WS was demanding an immediate refund of the 4.1 million our NJF&W had just recieved as our annual distribution. Needless to say McGreesy backed down and revamped his proposed state budget.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, back to the 'Bucket List'.