2018 Freshwater Fisheries Forums

[Dave B.]

For all the folks who had/have issues with the new regs that were just passed here's your chance to have your voices and opinions heard, not just by the Div but also by the folks who hold a differing opinion that may have had an effect on the recently adopted regs.

I attend these meetings every year and it's sad to say but I always see the same group of guys and gals there, many of whom hold to the principals that were forwarded by the recent reg changes.

From the 'other' side of the issues there are very few who attend and take the time to speak up. I know Andy attends the N. Jersey forum at Hackettestown every year, that's about the only time he and I get a chance to BS each year.

Get out there folks if you want to have your opinions heard and taken seriously by the folks who make the decision's that affect us all.

Here's the info...

Freshwater Fisheries Forums

Each year the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries holds three public forums to improve communication with the angling public and to solicit public input in shaping freshwater fisheries programs in the future. The forums are a perfect opportunity for all freshwater anglers to learn about existing programs and to share their views and recommendations.

Forum topics cover all aspects of freshwater management, including both warmwater and coldwater fisheries. Each year updates on specific management activities are provided, as well as open discussions on future management recommendations. Over the years various regulatory, management and stocking changes have resulted from suggestions from anglers attending the forums.

North Jersey Fisheries Forum - January 20, 2018 at 10am: Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery

South Jersey Fisheries Forum - February 24, 2018 at 10am: Batsto Village Visitor's Center

Trout Meeting - March 3, 2018 at 10am: Pequest Trout Hatchery

As always, there will be ample time for open discussion with professional staff to answer any questions or address concerns of anglers during the extended question and answer period.

Come be an integral part in the development of future programs and regulations related to New Jersey's freshwater fisheries resources.

[AndyS]

Maybe 15 people will show up like last year.

[NJSquatch]

I will be going this year...

[JDTuna]

Thanks, Dave. I will be there.

[Chrisper4694]

yeah now that we know a handful of elitist can project their will onto the entire NJ fishing community, we will have to start going to the meetings.

[Lard Almighty]

I want to contribute some additional info on the regulation changes, particularly the hot button issues of the barb/hook point restrictions and the private trout clubs fishing during the pre-opening day closure. I filed an OPRA request with the DEP and obtained many, if not all, of the public comments submitted to F&W regarding the fish code proposals. After reading through all ~160 comments I was provided, and evaluating which ones were relevant, I found the following:

Barbless Hook/3- Hook Point Restriction on C&R Trout Waters:
Comments In Favor: 71
Comments Opposed: 40

Private Clubs Fishing During Closed Season
Comments In Favor: 81
Comments Opposed: 12

*Note that "in favor" or "opposed" means the comment applied either to the proposed changes as a whole, or specifically to that issue.

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

I want to contribute some additional info on the regulation changes, particularly the hot button issues of the barb/hook point restrictions and the private trout clubs fishing during the pre-opening day closure. I filed an OPRA request with the DEP and obtained many, if not all, of the public comments submitted to F&W regarding the fish code proposals. After reading through all ~160 comments I was provided, and evaluating which ones were relevant, I found the following:

Barbless Hook/3- Hook Point Restriction on C&R Trout Waters:
Comments In Favor: 71
Comments Opposed: 40

Private Clubs Fishing During Closed Season
Comments In Favor: 81
Comments Opposed: 12

*Note that "in favor" or "opposed" means the comment applied either to the proposed changes as a whole, or specifically to that issue.

Nice job Lard. 160 comments is really really sad considering there are over 120,000 resident fishing licenses and 80,000 trout stamps sold a year.

Lard how many comments were simply "I agree with all the proposed changes"?

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

Private Clubs Fishing During Closed Season
Comments In Favor: 81
Comments Opposed: 12

81 club-members saying "hey yea I like that"

vs 12 people that took the time to call it out.

Honestly it's a shame more people don't leave comments. If just a fraction of NJ anglers took the time to read the changes and submit comments there wouldn't be a problem.

Clearly the majority of commenters are club-members. And obviously they are a tiny fraction of NJ anglers. Unfortunately whoever adapts the comments and proposals to actual rules doesn't realize that...

Additionally you could just look at this rule with common sense or an average level of comprehension to see that it's just a bunch of club-members getting their way. But people running our fishery seem to be lacking one of the two....

[Dave B.]

'Squatch and Tuna, glad to hear you'll be attending! I'll look forward to getting to meet you both. Hopefully a few more folks from here will make it as well!

As for the comments Lard was able to acquire, I can tell you that I was one of those opposed to the 'barbless' issue. As for the clubs being able to fish their own waters as C&R during the pre-season closure frankly I don't care either way. We are all able to do likewise on all of the TCA's, WTS's and Artificials Only waters. Some may argue that state fish will move into the private waters...ehh, so what? The nice big club fish will likewise move into public waters and be available for all anglers during the regular open season. They're fish, they swim. I've caught PLENTY of privately stocked fish in public stream sections on a lot of NJ waters over the years. Just off the top the Paulinskill, Musky, SBR, Flatbrook and Pohat come to mind.

Anyway I hope to see a bigger turnout at the forum this year. As Andy alluded to, last year was absolutely pitiful. The vast majority of attendees were affiliated with TU or private clubs. Then too there was the usual handful of outdoor writers.

Come out, listen to what our Freshwater Fisheries staff have to say and don't be hesitant to question them. They want to hear our input, ideas and concerns.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Dave B.

As for the clubs being able to fish their own waters as C&R during the pre-season closure frankly I don't care either way. We are all able to do likewise on all of the TCA's, WTS's and Artificials Only waters. Some may argue that state fish will move into the private waters...ehh, so what? The nice big club fish will likewise move into public waters and be available for all anglers during the regular open season. They're fish, they swim. I've caught PLENTY of privately stocked fish in public stream sections on a lot of NJ waters over the years. Just off the top the Paulinskill, Musky, SBR, Flatbrook and Pohat come to mind.

I simply feel like it's a big exception against the rules that everyone follows just because they have the ability to make those rules.

Surely Im not affected either. I argued in previous threads that they probably already fish their clubs year-round, closure or not, because what game warden is going to stop by a club. Cant say Ive seen one anywhere.

The fact that the rule was passed was a showcase that the rule-making is pretty flawed, biased, giving exceptions to the groups that have a larger voice in the rule making and adapting process.

Surely clubs arent evil or anything, and hey I do agree it's nice that they stock fish themselves. But I dont agree that they should have any exceptions on the code every other NJ angler follows.