NJ Steelhead?

[pduane44]

Landed a massive rainbow in High Bridge today. 25 inches approximately and fat and I noticed it had the shape and altered coloration of a steelhead. I know there has been some rumors about steelhead in the Raritan and wondered if there was any way possible a steelhead could make it all the way to High Bridge on the SBR. It seems impossible to me but this fish looks strikingly similar to a steelhead.

 

[lightenup]

Well...if it is a one in a trillion billion million chance...... a fucking steel head jumped over the Clinton dam, and I believe there are a few others, I would have tossed it up on the rocks and pinched it with my thumb before I threw it back......:hysterica

 

[pduane44]

Excuse my poor fish handling skills. A fish like this doesn't come along very often so I wanted to get some good pics.

 

[Catskill Mountain Man]

damn, nice fish

 

[CTobias]

Is there a lake that the raritan runs into? Could be a lake run rainbow, which in essence is a steelhead.

Only difference between rainbows an steelhead are their habits. Exact same genetically

 

[tomfly]

Is there a lake that the raritan runs into? Could be a lake run rainbow, which in essence is a steelhead.

Only difference between rainbows an steelhead are their habits. Exact same genetically

NJ has no cold water lakes on the RR. Round Valley reservoir would be the only candidate but it has no unmanaged outflow. As far as an Atlantic Steelhead run The State did introduce a population in Duke Island Park in the later part of the 80's ( a one time stocking) not enough to maintain a run. In order for NJ to have a run up the RR, The state would have to do what NY does on SR build a hatchery on the RR. The problems I see with this is the cost. Not only that but the state cant keep the bait fishermen out of the TCAs, how could they conduct any kind enforcement of Regulations on the length of RR for a steel head run.. Unless it is privately donated funds, it is never going to happen.

 

[pduane44]

Is there a lake that the raritan runs into? Could be a lake run rainbow, which in essence is a steelhead.

Only difference between rainbows an steelhead are their habits. Exact same genetically

The raritan leads to the raritan bay. Are you saying rainbows and steehead dont look different? I think there is a pretty big difference in the coloration and size. Ive never caught a steelhead but the bronze back and dull silver body had me wondering. Doesnt look like your average rainbow.

 

[CTobias]

They do look different, but genetically they are exactly the same. They just have different habits.

 

[Trouser Trout]

Next time hold it down on a big rock with your foot, much easier to get a pic that way!!!!

 

[comparadun]

25" my ass.

CDun

 

[Trouser Trout]

25" my ass.

CDun

WOW!!! That's big, no chance of you farting and making a sound........

 

[pduane44]

25" my ass.

CDun

You're right that was just a rough estimation. Upon further observation its more like 22.

 

[Trouser Trout]

You're right that was just a rough estimation. Upon further observation its more like 22.

Take it out of your freezer and measure it you boob.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Kamloops stocked rainbow into any one of the 4 private clubs on the SBR, but most likely from the Solitude Club. There are fish in the private water well north of 28" and all are Kamloops stealhead stock raised in the Musky Trout Hatchery along the Musconetcong for private stockings. Yes, they look like steelhead that have not yet swum out to the ocean (or false steelhead that swim out to the great lakes). No way on God's green earth a steelhead is jumping over the Clinton dam, but lots of fish can wash over the dams, even the Solitude dam which is likely what happened here.

 

[lightenup]

The raritan leads to the raritan bay. Are you saying rainbows and steehead dont look different? I think there is a pretty big difference in the coloration and size. Ive never caught a steelhead but the bronze back and dull silver body had me wondering. Doesnt look like your average rainbow.

Even if the SBR connects to Raritan bay, and they did stock steel head at Duke Island park, there are many barriers in the way and a steel head would have no chance of getting into High Bridge..yes Pdiddy44 steel head and rainbow trout are genetically exact......that being said, it is a very pretty rainbow for the SBR in High Bridge.....

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Here's one of the nicer ones, but not one of the longest.

 

[Pete]

You're right that was just a rough estimation. Upon further observation its more like 22.

The first picture doesn't have anything of known size to reference.
The third picture doesn't show enough of the fish.

Looking at the second picture, and assuming the distance from the base of your forefinger, to the base of the pinkie, is about four inches......
Sixteen inches, plus the rest of the tail....
IMHO: 17" possible, but less than 18".... That's within the range of NJs 2 year old "fall stockies".

TIP:
Get a small pocket screwdriver...
Break off the pocket clip...
Lay it next to the fish when you take a picture...
Tell people it's a 10" screwdriver.

 

[pduane44]

Even if the SBR connects to Raritan bay, and they did stock steel head at Duke Island park, there are many barriers in the way and a steel head would have no chance of getting into High Bridge..yes Pdiddy44 steel head and rainbow trout are genetically exact......that being said, it is a very pretty rainbow for the SBR in High Bridge.....

No way, really? I never said rainbows and steelhead were genetically different. I just said that there is definitely a difference in appearance.

 

[pduane44]

Kamloops stocked rainbow into any one of the 4 private clubs on the SBR, but most likely from the Solitude Club. There are fish in the private water well north of 28" and all are Kamloops stealhead stock raised in the Musky Trout Hatchery along the Musconetcong for private stockings. Yes, they look like steelhead that have not yet swum out to the ocean (or false steelhead that swim out to the great lakes). No way on God's green earth a steelhead is jumping over the Clinton dam, but lots of fish can wash over the dams, even the Solitude dam which is likely what happened here.

I caught this fish just below the solitude dam. It probably is one of those Kamloops rainbows from the solitude club and your picture looks very similar to mine. Thanks for answering my question.

 

[MACFLY]

25" my ass.

CDun

Don't be modest your ass is much bigger than 25"

 

[CTobias]

This is what a steelhead looks like.

 

[CTobias]

Don't be modest your ass is much bigger than 25"

Buwahahahaha. That made me chuckle.

 

[skipper3245]

unless you have giant hands...that fish is no where near 25 inches. Maybe 20 inches but more like 18. But there are very few rainbows in that area that are up to 30 inches. Not a steelhead, just a breeder

 

[Rusty Spinner]

just a breeder

And not all big trout are state stocked broodstock either. Like I mentioned, the clubs stock some nice fish that stick around and grow several more inches over time. I know that is a fact on Shannon's private water. We don't stock anything near as big as we sometimes catch; those fish are staying put and growing and some are spawning, staying put and growing.

 

[pduane44]

unless you have giant hands...that fish is no where near 25 inches. Maybe 20 inches but more like 18. But there are very few rainbows in that area that are up to 30 inches. Not a steelhead, just a breeder

We've already cleared up that its not a steelhead. It is most likely a kamloops rainbow from the solitude club private water just above Lake Solitude. I have landed an 18 inch trout before and this fish was certainly longer. I had no way of measuring and the fish was released unharmed so I will never be able to determine the exact length. What I do know is that this fish was 20+ inches.

 

[skipper3245]

congrats man.

We've already cleared up that its not a steelhead. It is most likely a kamloops rainbow from the solitude club private water just above Lake Solitude. I have landed an 18 inch trout before and this fish was certainly longer. I had no way of measuring and the fish was released unharmed so I will never be able to determine the exact length. What I do know is that this fish was 20+ inches.

 

[Simms]

Is this a fucking joke hahahahhahahaaahahahhahahahhahahahahhhahaa

 

[lightenup]

This one is for you SIMMS...


It looks a lot like a bone fish..ran me into my backing...released unharmed...unbelievable...

 

[Simms]

Holy fuck man! Is that a bonefish or a Northwestern American sturgeon only found in the NW region, CAUGHT AT THE GORGE? HOLY SHIT!

Which newspaper are you in?

oh nvm I found it: #drinkscartonofmilk

 

[sneelhead]

is this a joke