Anglers eager to get their lines in the water will have an abundance of fishing opportunities this spring when trout season opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 5, with more than 180,000 rainbow trout and larger broodstock available in waterways across New Jersey.
Trout season is one of the most anticipated signs of spring in New Jersey, drawing anglers of all ages from near and far to spend time in nature while hooking plenty of fish and creating memories.
“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 DEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden. “The quality of New Jersey’s trout fishing is outstanding and there are opportunities for all anglers, whether beginners or experts. Excellent fishing opportunities are plentiful in every county, meaning great places to fish are easily accessible and can always be found close to home.”
“After a long, cold winter, I can’t wait to get out and do some trout fishing,” said DEP Fish & Wildlife Freshwater Fisheries Bureau Chief Shawn Crouse. “Growing up, I could have never imagined how much goes into New Jersey’s trout stocking program. All of the hatchery workers, biologists, truck drivers, conservation police officers, and information specialists behind the scenes work so well together to provide such a great fishing experience for anyone who wants to give it a try.”
From Saturday, April 5 to Saturday, 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 daily limit will be reduced to four trout beginning Sunday, June 1 and continuing through winter 2026.
Anyone age 16 or older must obtain a New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp to fish for trout. Anglers may purchase these on DEP Fish & Wildlife’s website or through a license agent.
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, approximately 6,000 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.
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.
DEP Fish & Wildlife also stocks higher numbers of broodstock in select trout-stocked ponds and small lakes through its Bonus Broodstock program. This year, 10 trout-stocked lakes and ponds throughout the state will receive between 30 and 50 broodstock, providing even more exciting catch opportunities for anglers.
Following opening day, the state’s 14 major trout streams will be stocked weekly and closed to fishing from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on stocking day to allow trout to disperse. After Saturday, April 5, all other waters will be open to fishing on stocking days, with no time restrictions.
The 2025 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 signs posted along trout-stocked waters or the QR code found in the 2025 NJ Freshwater Fishing Digest. The stocked waters and related schedule 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) 322-9524.
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.
Visit Fish & Wildlife’s fishing locations webpage or use the Freshwater Fishing Explorer app to find fishing spots and waters stocked with trout.
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 DEP 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.
To view a video about trout fishing in New Jersey, visit https://youtu.be/d0b6YFElNiM
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