MEDIA ADVISORY

Pre-season Trout Stocking Media Opportunities

TRENTON -- The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will complete the pre-season stocking of more than 180,000 hatchery-raised trout on Thursday, April 5 as anglers in the state’s 21 counties gear up for the opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 7.

The opening of trout season is the most anticipated day on the annual fishing calendar, which attracts anglers to nearly 200 trout stocked rivers, streams and lakes across the state. The pre-season stocking period provides opportunities for stories and colorful photos and videos, which can still be arranged for the last pre-season stocking day, Thursday April 5.

The DEP’s Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County , where more than 600,000 trout are raised each year, also provides another excellent story and photo/video opportunity.

On April 5, stockings will occur in the following counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Sussex. One Bonus Broodstock water body will be stocked on April 5. Echo Lake in Monmouth county will be stocked with approximately 400 trout, which include 30 breeder trout that measure 17 to 24 inches.

Reporters may also find interesting stories at lakes and ponds stocked with Bonus Broodstock fish. This year the bonus waters are:

Barbour's Pond (Passaic Co.)                      Manny's Pond (Hunterdon Co.)

Crystal Lake (Burlington Co.)                       Ponderlodge Pond (Cape May Co.)

Echo Lake (Monmouth Co.)                         Seeley's Pond (Union Co.)

Holmdel Park Pond (Monmouth Co.)     South Vineland Park Pond (Cumberland Co.)

Verona Park Pond (Essex Co.).

If your news organization would like to arrange a story and/or photo opportunity about trout stocking activities taking place in your coverage area on April 5 or if you need any other information contact Jim Sciascia, Chief of Information and Education for the Division of Fish and Wildlife, at (484) 544-9337 or Jim.Sciascia@dep.state.nj.us .