Rusty Spinner
Active member
Here's the Division's recommendation for spring stocking:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2014/trout_changes14.pdf
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2014/trout_changes14.pdf
Last edited:
I was just reading that....
Should I be concerned that the Ramapo (non trout), is NOT on the list of waters "Directly connected to Trout Production Streams", and could get stocked with "trout treated for furunculosis", who may be potential carriers.
Although the Ramapo is technically NT, it has several TP tributaries, including a WTS, and another found to contain heritage strain brook trout.
A potential secondary concern:
The other relevant document
http://www.nj.gov/dep/workgroups/docs/troutmgtnotice20140221.pdf
Indicates that the disease has been recorded in Smallmouth Bass (the Ramapo's other game fish), and Pike (the Ramapo flows into the "pike stocked" Pompton).
If the disease reaches the Pompton, it's a short trip upstream to the Lower Wanaque, and the Pequannock.
You can register your concerns here:
NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife - 2014 Spring Trout Comment Form
Another possible scenario:
They're going to stock the rejects into places like the Passaic between the Great Falls and the Dundee Dam.
Sounds harmless enough....Right ?
Fish that wash over the Dundee Dam, could find their way into the Saddle River, and eventually find their way upstream to the WTS section.
They're not stocking diseased fish, but they are socking some potential carriers.It seems like they have it right in theory but, like you guys mentioned, there are some critical rivers that look like they are still going to get stocked for some reason.
They should not stock any diseased fish anywhere. To make up for the hit to license sales, just let the bucket brigade fish the raceways with infected fish. Everyone wins.
You can register your concerns here:
NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife - 2014 Spring Trout Comment Form
Another possible scenario:
They're going to stock the rejects into places like the Passaic between the Great Falls and the Dundee Dam.
Sounds harmless enough....Right ?
Fish that wash over the Dundee Dam, could find their way into the Saddle River, and eventually find their way upstream to the WTS section.
If you go far enough upstream or downstream, everything's connected.
Fish will do that....That's a hell of a journey.....
If birds spread it to the hatchery, they'll spread it everywhere like didymo or water chestnut. Lets face it, no fish anywhere in 5 years. Better find a new hobby .
How about not stocking over wild trout populations for a couple years and see how they do.....
Rusty..there are two streams in particular that stocking should stop on...they ate not tribs of any large trout stream....they are not tribs......as there is a large blockage to the main river...I am sure you know the two I speak of...they both have wild browns and brookies..one may even have rainbows as well.....stocking should stop on both....They are trying to stay away from the main wild trout populations, but so many of our larger trout streams have at least one or more WTS that flow into these larger streams. And many, the Musky included, are scheduled to be stocked. That's what has to be carefully weighed.
This is the big experiment. We are going to see what fishing is like in lots of places without stocking.
Last year PA had hatchery problems and I saw more PA plates than ever along Warren County streams. I expect to see a lot more NJ plates at the Bushkill, Brodhead, Martins Ck, etc.
I assume no documented cases of infection with humans that we know of. The whole South Branch above the lake will not be stocked. SHould be interesting to see how the river does this year as a result.
I can tell you how I think this will play out. I love the SBR and I am concerned about this. In a twisted way stockies protect wild populations from the “If I catch it I will keep it" crowd. Stocked fish are inherently dumber the native fish. Without that buffer. I see wild populations suffering the onslaught of the I am going to keep my limit guys. If that entire stretch is not made a no kill. Wild populations are going to suffer major decline.
While it will suck having to deal with increased crowds ie at the musky and pequest..I bet the wilds in klg will prosper between lack of comp for food and decreased foot traffic and no kill policy.. in a yea from now klg may be a hell of a wild fishery
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First netting will make it worse, the birds perch on the net and crap where they perch. They have numerous bird aversion systems in place, including cannons (noise not howitzer), streamers, electric fences and assorted contrivances. Nothing is foolproof, except enclosure.
Also please don't ignore the first item in the list. There are a number of fish (over 200,000) that were never exposed to the disease. These are not subject to the restrictions of the exposed and treated fish.
The biggest impact will be the shortened stocking season, all fish being stocked before May 1st will mean lots of fish early in the season, and no fish late in the typical stocking season. That may mean less pressure when the big hatches come in May, but it may also mean less fish to rise tot he bugs.
I encourage everyone to log on to the division web page and vote, and also plan to come to the March meeting and make you opinion known to the Division, DEp and the Fish and Game Council.
(Full disclosure I am on the F&G Council.)
Agust
Nice try, Mark, but you're not going to kick off some of the guys from your favorite NJ and PA WTS that easily
.......Should I be concerned that the Ramapo (non trout), is NOT on the list of waters "Directly connected to Trout Production Streams", and could get stocked with "trout treated for furunculosis", who may be potential carriers.
Although the Ramapo is technically NT, it has several TP tributaries, including a WTS, and another found to contain heritage strain brook trout..............