NJ WTS listing?

[Mike Ridolfino]

Anyone have a complete listing of all the NJ wild trout streams? The NJ F&G website states there are 175 streams that hold wild trout, however, only 20 something are ever listed. I love exploring new water, but I really hate to spend an hour or two climbing up a stream only to find out that for one reason or another there aren't any trout in it. Thanks in advance.

 

[flyI4]

good luck getting that information from the nj wts crew, your gunna get the " go out and find them on your own like I did" response which is understandable although I think some get a little nuts when it comes to talking about this .Mike, Once you have fished a few of the wts here you have seen what most of them are like. The size of trout are similar in every stream with a few of them having season advantages and the occasional bigger fish. My way of going about it efficiently is I just stop while on the way to known trout streams and give the little brooks I find while driving a few casts or explore a stretch for some time. If you dont spook much after a little or the habitat looks poor you move on and its not like you waisted the day simply exploring cause your on your way to a spot already.I have found a few little honey holes this way and they come in handy when you have just been skunked and want a few easy fish to ease the pain a little. Goodluck and I hope you find a few spots of your own this season.

 

[Harry]

You might try Wild Trout Streams


______________________
"Quit Wishing" "Go Fishing"

 

[rford]

My understanding is this.

The WTS listed in the printed fishing regs are the the ones that are afforded the WTS regulations and protection.

If you go to F&W and hunt around, there is a PDF file that is about 200 pages that has info about everything in the NJ trout universe inclusing C1 designations and stream sampeling results. Some where in there is a list of streams that have had WTS found during an electro stocking sample , also meaning if there YOY young of the year that that stream gets C1 classification creating a 300 ft buffer zone from building.

However to my knowledge not all streams with C1 designation or found to have YOY have been designated WTS by fish and game. Not sure what the politics are behind this...

ralph

 

[Pete]

Draft Coldwater Fisheries Management Plan
Check out Appendix B and Appendix G

Look for streams designated as "Trout Production" (TP).
Finding them isn't always easy. Many maps don't name all small streams & brooks, and sometimes the names aren't consistent depending on who made the map and when....

 

[Mike Ridolfino]

Ralph and Pete, thanks for the info. This was exactly what I'm looking for. Time to go fishing!

Edit: Great resource, just checked out a stream that I saw while hiking over the winter that looked very "fishy", classified as non trout water. Its also amazing how many streams named "Trout Brook" are non trout water!

 

[Future Fanatic]

Its also amazing how many streams named "Trout Brook" are non trout water!

Unfortunately, they probably WERE "trout water" in the past.

 

[Pete]

If you're targeting wild trout and like to explore, the TP streams are the places to go, but don't let a NT designation stop you from fishing any likely looking water. Many of our heavily stocked streams are NT (eg the Ramapo).

When I was a kid, and didn't know any better, I caught plenty of trout from places that shouldn't have had trout..... In hindsight, I suspect that they were escapees from a privately stocked pond owned by a local "rich" guy.

 

[JM68]

You'd be suprised where u can find trout. There is a small stream by my house that i would never think to fish for anything let alone trout. But apparently years back private stocking occured or something to that effect and either fish reproduced or there are still some left which i find hard to believe, but u can still catch one here and there if u work for it.

 

[Trout Nazi]

I found that same pdf file that lists all trout production water. A couple of those streams are up here in my neck of the woods, and I will be exploring them. Did some scouting, and I've not seen anyone fishing them, so I'll have to make a few casts to see whats in there.

 

[brough]

as our local industry moves off shore, the trout streams are cleaning up.

less work but more fishing... cant call it.

 

[Rolemodel]

Mike,

I hate to burst your Bubble but dont bother with the Wild Trout Streams that aren't in the Digest,there is exceptions to the Rule most are honestly just about all of them are on Privite Land!Even some of the Streams Listed in the Digest are on Privite Land so be careful.The best bit is to look for TP Water that's Stocked simply because of Access.

 

[Mike Ridolfino]

Mike,

I hate to burst your Bubble but dont bother with the Wild Trout Streams that aren't in the Digest,there is exceptions to the Rule most are honestly just about all of them are on Privite Land!Even some of the Streams Listed in the Digest are on Privite Land so be careful.The best bit is to look for TP Water that's Stocked simply because of Access.

I've been marking them out on my Delorme atlas over the last few days. Most run through some sort of public land, so while they may not be 100% public, there are sections that are fishable. The main reason I've been looking for this list is so that I don't waste time hiking and bushwacking to streams that hold no fish. You're right about the streams in the digest being on private land, but I've found that if you ask for permission to fish them 9 times out of 10 you'll be allowed(when you can find a person to ask). I appreciate the warning, seems theres been alot of posts lately about trespassing on private land, and I certainly side with the land owners.