Anglers will get to enjoy 19 extra days of fishing, more than 20 additional ponds into which to drop their lines, and simplified regulations to follow when the much-anticipated trout season opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 11 in waterways across New Jersey. This year's spring season will be highlighted by the stocking of more than 180,000 rainbow trout and larger broodstock, as well as 20,000 brown trout provided by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
"The additional fish, expanded season, and various regulation enhancements will make the eagerly anticipated spring trout season even more exciting for both novice and experienced anglers," said Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak. "The changes being implemented for spring trout season will improve the overall trout fishing experience while supporting the Sherrill Administration's mission to deliver simplified and responsive services to the people of New Jersey."
"Trout season in New Jersey provides an excellent opportunity to spend quality time outdoors and enjoy some of the best recreational fishing in the country," said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden. "The thrill of the first catch cannot be understated. We are pleased that the brown trout provided by Pennsylvania will only add to the excitement for all who are looking forward to the spring trout fishing season."
"We are very proud of the regulatory changes we've made and can't wait to hear the response from our anglers, especially the families that get to enjoy 19 more days of angling on our lakes and ponds," said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Freshwater Fisheries Bureau Chief Shawn Crouse. "To make these improvements, we have invested more than two years in stakeholder meetings, online surveys, and dialogue with the Fish & Game Council. This was a real group effort – and New Jersey anglers will reap the rewards."
By the Numbers
By the end of the spring stocking season, more than 570,000 rainbow trout will be stocked in waterbodies across the state, with most trout averaging 10½ inches in length and weighing about a half pound each.
In addition, between 6,000 and 7,000 broodstock — large, mature trout ranging in size from 14 inches to 26 inches and weighing up to seven pounds — will be stocked this spring. These trophy-size fish will be stocked in waters across the state suitable for fish their size.
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife also stocks higher numbers of broodstock in select trout-stocked ponds and small lakes through its Bonus Broodstock program. This year, nine trout-stocked lakes and ponds throughout the state will receive between 30 and 50 broodstock.
From Saturday, April 11 to Sunday, May 31, the minimum legal size required for taking trout is nine inches, with a daily limit of six trout in most trout waters. The new daily limit will be reduced to two trout beginning Sunday, June 1 and continuing through next winter. The reduction will mean more trout will be available to anglers over a longer timeframe, especially the 14-inch to 16-inch trout that will be stocked in the fall.
Brown Trout from Pennsylvania
Marking an exciting addition to this year's program, multiple New Jersey waterways have been stocked with 20,000 brown trout since March 20, thanks to a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. New Jersey has not been able to stock brown trout for more than a decade due to the occurrence of the bacterial disease furunculosis at New Jersey's Pequest Trout Hatchery.
Although this disease occurs naturally, it causes severe illness in brook trout and brown trout and can spread rapidly in hatcheries. The outbreak prompted enhanced biosecurity measures and modifications in the trout stocking program to protect rainbow trout. Pennsylvania has provided documentation to NJDEP Fish & Wildlife certifying that the brown trout provided to New Jersey are disease-free.
This year's reintroduction of brown trout is part of a broader plan to reincorporate this species of trout into New Jersey's stocking program. Over the next several years, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife will evaluate the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery and make improvements to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and biosecurity. Once improvements are completed, New Jersey hopes to safely and effectively raise brown trout again.
Simplified Trout Fishing Regulations
In addition to the bonus of brown trout and additional broodstock, anglers this spring will find changes to the fishing experience that expand the season, lift fishing-hour restrictions, increase the number of trout-stocked waterways and offer opportunities to hook bigger fish.
The pre-season trout stocking closures for lakes and ponds have been lifted, and stocked lakes and ponds will remain open year-round. This means anglers can enjoy an additional 19 days of fishing on nearly 100 bodies of water statewide. This does not impact the state's 14 major trout streams. They will be stocked weekly and are closed to fishing from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on stocking day to allow trout to disperse and acclimate.
The trout stocking program has also been expanded with 23 small ponds added to the stocking schedule.
Beginning this year, trout raised for winter stocking will be stocked as part of the fall stocking program in October to capitalize on favorable weather conditions. As a bonus, an additional 4,000 trout and at least 10 new waterbodies will be added to this new combined program.
Accessible Information and Updates
To stay aware of the latest trout stocking regulations, anglers this year may look for new "Trout Stocked Waters" signs posted along trout-stocked waters that will provide a QR code linking to the most up-to-date information on stocking schedules, regulations and other pertinent information about trout stocking in New Jersey.
The 2026 stocking schedule and trout allocations, including updates and changes, are available on the spring trout webpage along with a mapping application of Trout Stocked Waters. Anglers may download the complete in-season stocking schedule to their smartphones by scanning the QR code found on the signs or the QR code found in the 2026 NJ Freshwater Fishing Digest.
Stocked waters and related schedules are also accessible through the mobile-friendly Trout Stocked Waters of NJ web map application.
A list of trout-stocked waters and all freshwater fishing regulations, including size and catch limits, may also be found in the Fishing Digest, printed copies of which are available at license agents and DEP Fish & Wildlife offices. Information may also be obtained by calling the Trout Stocking Hotline at (609) 940-7266.
Visit Fish & Wildlife's fishing locations webpage or use the Freshwater Fishing Explorer app to find fishing spots and waters stocked with trout.
License and Stamp Requirements
Anyone age 16 or older must obtain a New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp to fish for trout. Anglers may purchase these on NJDEP Fish & Wildlife's website or through a license agent.
Anglers may save money through the Buddy Up and Save! program. Introduce a family member or friend to fishing by getting a fishing buddy license, which offers an existing angler and new angler, or two new anglers, an opportunity to receive reduced-priced fishing licenses.
All rainbow trout stocked across New Jersey are raised at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County. Pequest also has a Natural Resource Education Center where visitors can learn how trout are raised as well as about New Jersey's natural resources.
The Pequest Trout Hatchery is supported with proceeds from the sale of fishing licenses, trout stamps and federal funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sport Fish Restoration Program.
The dedicated funding received from the purchase of a fishing license, fishing equipment and the Sport Fish Restoration Program enables NJDEP Fish & Wildlife to raise fish for anglers, develop public fishing areas, provide aquatic education programs, and protect the quality of the state's waters for fish, wildlife and people.
Follow NJDEP Fish & Wildlife on Facebook at facebook.com/NewJerseyFishandWildlife/ and on Instagram at instagram.com/NewJerseyFishandWildlife/.