Drought Information

2002 Drought Information

Many trout anglers are concerned about the effects of the drought on stocking and trout fishing in New Jersey. Currently, a statewide water emergency has been declared due to continued dry weather. Anglers should note, however, that the production of trout at the Pequest Trout Hatchery has not been adversely affected by the drought. With stream flows and reservoirs at very low levels, the Division may consider changes to the spring trout-stocking program if necessary. Adverse climactic conditions have been a consideration in past years. The hatchery and stocking crews have dealt with drought, flood, ice, and snow. Consequently, the Division's trout stocking program is flexible enough to deal with such extremes. Fortunately, most of the 88 ponds and lakes scheduled for stocking have adequate water levels and the Division anticipates little or no problems associated with stocking these traditional waters. Additionally, it is anticipated that many streams will have adequate flows to support stocked trout.

Two categories of smaller streams may have inadequate flow but the total amount of trout scheduled for these streams is about 20,000 or less than 3.5% of the total. An additional stream category that normally receives about 10,000 trout may also be affected depending on releases from water supply reservoirs.

Fisheries biologists began conducting visual inspections of trout-stocked waters during the week of March 4 to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether stocking is feasible due to low water conditions. The information gathered is being used to prepare a contingency stocking plan that will be implemented should drought conditions fail to improve by March 20. The contingency plan will likely include changes that will cause trout slated for the small streams with inadequate flows to be diverted to ponds and lakes with adequate water levels. At this point, a maximum of 20,000-30,000 trout or 3.5% to 5.2% of the total may have to be reallocated to ponds and lakes. Since this number is based on the worst case scenario of not being able to stock these small streams for the entire season, precipitation may allow stocking to resume later in the season requiring reallocation of fewer trout. The Division will do everything in its power to ensure that the trout fishermen of New Jersey have a successful season. Though the drought situation may put somewhat of a damper on trout fishing in the Garden State, low, clear water, though not ideal, will actually make trout easier to find and should significantly enhance success.

Anglers can rest assured that whatever decisions are made regarding changes to the trout-stocking plan, the Division will release the information through the media and on its website at www.njfishandwildlife.com.


- This info taken off the DEP web site.