New Landlocked Salmon State record ?

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by MattK

It would be nice if there was a way when a state record was caught that the measurements could be taken at the lake so there's a chance that the fish could be released (maybe tagged so if someone else catches it a week later it wouldn't count) From what I read on the process it pretty much guarantees you have to kill a record to get credit for it.

Then again as far as I know the salmon don't reproduce in any of the new jersey lakes so it's not like that was a massive breeder being taken out of the population.

all good points... and yes every state record fish is dead, the state checks the stomach and other stuff. true they don't reproduce and i'd never go against anyone's right to keep a legal fish for whatever reason, but i do wish more people would release big fish obviously

whether you like to just catch big fish or eat fish (i love both) the really big fish are always worth more in the water (especially the species that can successfully spawn) and the smaller keepers taste so much better anyway. Ask my friend john about the giant keeper fluke i caught and released while he was opening the cooler hahahahaha

[UglyStick]

It angers me to no end how so many people view landlocked salmon in NJ as a put and take resource the way they do trout.

What most don't understand is that NJ does not crank out production of these fish the way they do trout at the Pequest Hatchery. In 2018 so far, NJ F&W has stocked over 600,000 trout.

All of the landlocked salmon NJ stocks we receive as fingerlings from the state of Massachusettes as part of a trade agreement for supplying them with pike fingerlings. In a given year, we only get what Mass. can afford to give us. If their hatchery has a bad year, we may only get a few hundred fish total (as in 2017 where the total was less than 700). On a good year, it can be a few thousand up to maybe 3,000 or 4,000 fish with closer to 2,000 seeming to be the average. These fish are then raised indoors at the Hackettstown Hatchery until the time they are stocked. As mentioned in a previous post, it is believed that there is no reproduction in NJ waters. .

Although it is a persons right to keep a legal size fish, more people need to be conservation minded about this species in our state. It doesn't take all that much pressure to wipe out 2,000 fish in only 3 waterbodies as opposed to 600,000 trout that are much more spread out. Unfortunately, with the pressure these fish are starting to receive, trophy sized fish will be very few and far between. This is currently a very limited resource and why talk of expanding this species to additional waterbodies isn't currently viable until we are able to secure and raise many more fish which to my knowledge isn't currently on the radar.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by UglyStick

It angers me to no end how so many people view landlocked salmon in NJ as a put and take resource the way they do trout.

What most don't understand is that NJ does not crank out production of these fish the way they do trout at the Pequest Hatchery. In 2018 so far, NJ F&W has stocked over 600,000 trout.

All of the landlocked salmon NJ stocks we receive as fingerlings from the state of Massachusettes as part of a trade agreement for supplying them with pike fingerlings. In a given year, we only get what Mass. can afford to give us. If their hatchery has a bad year, we may only get a few hundred fish total (as in 2017 where the total was less than 700). On a good year, it can be a few thousand up to maybe 3,000 or 4,000 fish with closer to 2,000 seeming to be the average. These fish are then raised indoors at the Hackettstown Hatchery until the time they are stocked. As mentioned in a previous post, it is believed that there is no reproduction in NJ waters. .

Although it is a persons right to keep a legal size fish, more people need to be conservation minded about this species in our state. It doesn't take all that much pressure to wipe out 2,000 fish in only 3 waterbodies as opposed to 600,000 trout that are much more spread out. Unfortunately, with the pressure these fish are starting to receive, trophy sized fish will be very few and far between. This is currently a very limited resource and why talk of expanding this species to additional waterbodies isn't currently viable until we are able to secure and raise many more fish which to my knowledge isn't currently on the radar.

Good point. Maybe legal size should be bumped up?

Perhaps if the state notices the growing interest for landlocks, they would look into expanding the fishery?

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by UglyStick

It angers me to no end how so many people view landlocked salmon in NJ as a put and take resource the way they do trout.

What most don't understand is that NJ does not crank out production of these fish the way they do trout at the Pequest Hatchery. In 2018 so far, NJ F&W has stocked over 600,000 trout.

All of the landlocked salmon NJ stocks we receive as fingerlings from the state of Massachusettes as part of a trade agreement for supplying them with pike fingerlings. In a given year, we only get what Mass. can afford to give us. If their hatchery has a bad year, we may only get a few hundred fish total (as in 2017 where the total was less than 700). On a good year, it can be a few thousand up to maybe 3,000 or 4,000 fish with closer to 2,000 seeming to be the average. These fish are then raised indoors at the Hackettstown Hatchery until the time they are stocked. As mentioned in a previous post, it is believed that there is no reproduction in NJ waters. .

Although it is a persons right to keep a legal size fish, more people need to be conservation minded about this species in our state. It doesn't take all that much pressure to wipe out 2,000 fish in only 3 waterbodies as opposed to 600,000 trout that are much more spread out. Unfortunately, with the pressure these fish are starting to receive, trophy sized fish will be very few and far between. This is currently a very limited resource and why talk of expanding this species to additional waterbodies isn't currently viable until we are able to secure and raise many more fish which to my knowledge isn't currently on the radar.

Well said.

The fact that a local bait shop promotes the heck out of this fishery doesn't help. Wish they would promote C&R more.

[akoop]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

Well said.

The fact that a local bait shop promotes the heck out of this fishery doesn't help. Wish they would promote C&R more.

Exactly, they are all about photos in the parking lot of their shop. Can't stand to see that!

[MattK]

I'd like to see the state expand the salmon stocking. It definitely seems like they're becoming a more popular fish. I wonder if there are any bodies of water in nj that could support a spawning population. Do the landlocked spawn in the rivers like the kings and cohos up in ny?

[Jigman13]

Rvr and Merrill might be ideal locations. Maybe Manasquan if it’s deep enough in warmer months. Doubt they’d spawn in NJ though. I’m sure proper substrate, river access and a very particular pH level is essential to them spawning.

Wherever there’s a substantial alewife population could perhaps be suitable... getting them in-state to ramp up a stocking program is the first step. Limited numbers will inhibit expanding the program.

Are they tasty? Lol...

[fishingbuddies]

Splitrock? Probably good for walleye too.

[AndyS]

Let's get the Brown Trout back first, then worry about LL's.

[bigfishy]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

Well said.

The fact that a local bait shop promotes the heck out of this fishery doesn't help. Wish they would promote C&R more.

If rvta promoted c&r , rv just mite get closer to what it was in the 90's???well never know cause i doubt that would happen....