Raritan river

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

NJDF&W wants to give the Raritan River American shad population the best possible chance of recovering. Therefore, no direct stocking of predators.

The young-of-the-year American shadlings now in the river are, no doubt, the predators preferred forage. They are the most attractive: Like herring & menhaden very oily / high fat content & their sheer numbers.

Thanks for the info, Mark. How long do the shadlings stay in the river before they become ocean-bound and how fast do they grow?

I would think that the trout stocking that takes place right where and when the shad spawn would be against the principle of recovery.
Could you explain how trout arent a problem? (Dare I even mention not stocking trout in the raritan! Please stock more! )

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

Thanks for the info, Mark. How long do the shadlings stay in the river before they become ocean-bound and how fast do they grow?

I would think that the trout stocking that takes place right where and when the shad spawn would be against the principle of recovery.
Could you explain how trout arent a problem? (Dare I even mention not stocking trout in the raritan! Please stock more! )

All of the shadlings are out in the bay / ocean by the end of October. In the ocean, they join schools of shad from other rivers, spending 3 – 6 @ sea until sexually mature, & then ascend the river of their birth to spawn.

Adult Raritan River American shad can swim up the mainstem & spawn only as far as the Headgates Dam @ Duke Island Park.

Fall trout are stocked only in the North & South Branches.

Spring trout are stocked in Duke Island Park & down the mainstem to last stocking point @ Nevius St., Raritan. Can’t imagine that those trout have much of an impact on the shadlings, which are essentially shad larvae @ that time. Spring trout are interested in larger prey,…..like your spinners, worms & Powerbait.

A productive lure when the shadlings are in the river: Original floating Rapala bleeding shad

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

All of the shadlings are out in the bay / ocean by the end of October. In the ocean, they join schools of shad from other rivers, spending 3 – 6 @ sea until sexually mature, & then ascend the river of their birth to spawn.

Adult Raritan River American shad can swim up the mainstem & spawn only as far as the Headgates Dam @ Duke Island Park.

Fall trout are stocked only in the North & South Branches.

Spring trout are stocked in Duke Island Park & down the mainstem to last stocking point @ Nevius St., Raritan. Can’t imagine that those trout have much of an impact on the shadlings, which are essentially shad larvae @ that time. Spring trout are interested in larger prey,…..like your spinners, worms & Powerbait.

A productive lure when the shadlings are in the river: Original floating Rapala bleeding shad

Thanks Mark, I appreciate the info- and bonus fishing tip

[AndyS]

The last stocking point is Rt. 206 in Somerville.

[Mark B.]

Rt. 206 is not a trout stocking point.

Rt. 206 is the downstream limit of trout stocked waters. No fishing is allowed upstream of Rt. 206 during the spring preseason closure.

[AndyS]

There is a trout stocking sign just above the Rt. 206 bridge.

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by AndyS

There is a trout stocking sign just above the Rt. 206 bridge.

I believe it,.......a "Trout Stocked Waters" (which it is) sign. Just not a stocking point.

The closest stocking pt. to Rt. 206: Canal Street Park - Nevius St., right on Canal St. Can enter park near end of Canal St. near canal confluence.

Many "Trout Stocked Waters" signs do, indeed, indicate a stocking point. But not all such signs do.