2021 NJ trout season changes :

[anthrax2244]

Nothing wrong with some c&r before the opener.

The combination of COVID and NJ stocking regs cleared out my honey hole on opening day 2020. I had it to myself. That’s never happened before.

Keep in mind, these trout are stocked for the purpose of being caught by anglers. They aren’t part of some program to return our streams to the time before Europeans came to America. Rainbows, browns, palominos and tigers aren’t native to NJ. Only Brook trout are. Our streams with native and wild trout are managed accordingly.

If you fish bait and you don’t want to keep the fish Or are fishing during the c&r period, pay attention while you fish and don’t wait long to set the hook!