THIS winter, the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife will release more than 12,000 rainbow trout into selected lakes throughout the state as part of its annual Winter Trout Stocking Program.
This is the second year of this extremely successful program, which offers anglers increased fishing opportunities during the winter months.
A total of 24 lakes geographically distributed throughout the state will be stocked with 12,940 rainbow trout, averaging 11 inches in length, raised at the Pequest Trout Hatchery. In north Jersey, 15 lakes were stocked from Monday through today. In south Jersey, nine lakes will be stocked Jan. 3-4.
Tagged trout will be stocked at specific lakes as part of the division’s program evaluation efforts. Anglers are urged to return these tags when found.
North Jersey lakes that were stocked are: Mill Pond, Verona Park Lake, Woodcliff Lake, Amwell Lake, Hook’s Creek Lake, Mt. Hope Pond, Speedwell Lake, Barbours Pond 420, Sheppard Lake, Lower Echo Lake, Furnace Lake, Lake Aeroflex, Lake Ocquittunk, Little Swartswood and Silver Lake.
South Jersey lakes that are to be stocked include Birch Grove Park, Laurel Pond, Rowands Pond, Shaws Mill Pond, Mullica Hill Pond, Spring Lake, Topenemus Lake, Lake Shenandoah and Riverview Beach Pond.
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The N.Y. State Dept. of Environmental Conservation has announced procedures for hunting deer on DEC managed lands during the annual January firearms deer season in parts of Suffolk County.
The Suffolk County season dates are Jan. 7-11, 14-18 and 21-25. Firearms deer hunting is not permitted in Suffolk County on weekends. The season is open in parts of the six easternmost towns of Suffolk County. In addition to a big game hunting license, hunters must obtain a town permit and a signed form that certifies that the hunter has permission to hunt from the landowner.
To hunt for deer on DEC managed lands you have to enter a drawing. Entries must be received at NYSDEC-Deer Drawing, PO Box 659, Ridge NY 11961, by 4:45 p.m., Dec. 3. There are no applications for this drawing. To enter, you must send a No. 10 (4 1/8″ x 9 1/2″) envelope. This envelope must contain a self-addressed, stamped, No. 10 or No. 9 return envelope. Each hunter may only send one entry, but each member of a two-hunter party may send one entry.
