nj wild trout

[Ryan R]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

My stats and personal experience are enough but common sense should tell you a freestone stream can change dramatically from year to year. I've seen it first hand on many Pa streams. Limestoners seem to fluctuate less. If you want actual data, there are plenty of PFBC biologist reports to peruse through that show both minimal drops in pops and tremendous drops in numbers. I can cite one stream dropping by 64%(1533 trout per mile to 555) in one year. young of year(1 to 3" fish) dropped by a an astonishing 96%(675 to 25). why? january flood which i'm guessing washed away most of the trout eggs. this is one dramatic example but since every stream cannot be surveyed every year. I cannot prove it occurs on most but logic suggests it does. Conversely, "B", "C" and even "D" streams may on occasion reach "A" levels. I won't say most but it does occur enough to merit investigation as to why - or why not - this happens

my second point is that it is a concern albeit a small one. more of an issue in NJ. Once stocking is stopped and the state stocking signs - the ones that say its okay to fish courtesy of landowner - disappear, in all honesty i'm not sure whether i can continue fish there or not especially if posted signs have always been there(many places have stocking signs right below a posted sign which just adds to the confusion). At least with those signs there i know its okay.

the fact is, outside of public lands, fishing access is a guessing game with no easy answer. stocking a stream - at least as i see it - is one way to remove the guesswork as to whether one can fish there or not.

Mark

I understand there can be dramatic changes from year to year but I just wondered if you actually saw in the PFBC reports where the majority of streams fluctated below the Class A threshold. The stream you site dropping from 1533 to 555 trout/mile is significant change but still not below the Class A threshold.

I agree more of a problem in NJ, but another NJ problem with stocking signs and private property is the # of property owners that allow the state to stock their property only to remove the signs after stocking(s) and not allow the public access. As far as not knowing whether or not you can fish a stream if there is no sign, taking time to knock on a nearby door can really help remove that doubt one way or the other.