N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-6.7

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:25-6.7 - Special regulation trout fishing areas-Wild Trout Streams

(a) There are three classifications of wild trout stream; Native Brook Trout Streams, Wild Trout Streams, and Wild Brown Trout Enhancement Streams. Identification of the streams designated under each classification and the regulations applicable to each classification are specified in (b) through (g) below.

(b) The following streams, or portions thereof, are designated as "Native Brook Trout Streams." Listing of streams in this category does not convey the right to trespass or fish on private lands without the landowner's permission. These waters will not be stocked with trout. Unless otherwise noted, the entire length of the stream is included in the designation.

1. Beatty's Brook --Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon;

2. Bear Swamp Brook --Mahwah Twp., Bergen;

3. Hickory Run --Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon;

4. Lake Ames Tributary --Picatinny Arsenal boundary to Lake Ames, Rockaway Twp., Morris;

5. Primrose Brook --Harding Twp., Morris;

6. Raritan River, S. Br. --Budd Lake dam to dam approx. 400 feet upstream of Flanders-Drakestown Rd., Mt. Olive Twp., Morris;

7. Rinehart Brook --Hacklebarney State Park, Chester Twp., Morris;

8. Rocky Run --Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon;

9. Stephensburg Brook --Washington Twp., Warren;

10. Stony Brook --Stokes State Forest, Sandyston Twp., Sussex; and

11. Trout Brook --Hacklebarney State Park, Morris.

(c) The following regulations shall apply to the Native Brook Trout Streams designated at (b) above.

1. Fishing in Native Brook Trout Waters is permitted year-round;

2. Only artificial lures and flies, with no more than three hook points in total, all of which must be barbless, may be used;

3. A person shall not have in possession, while fishing, any natural bait, live or preserved;

4. A person shall not have in possession, while fishing, any substance, either as a natural or synthetic compound, that contains a concentration of bait scent or such scent enhanced bait;

5. During the period extending from opening day to September 15 no person shall have in possession while fishing any more than two dead, creeled, or otherwise appropriated Brown or Rainbow Trout, of any size. No trout may be killed or possessed during other times of the year.

6. All Brook Trout, regardless of size, must be immediately released unharmed.

(d) The following streams, or portions thereof, are designated as "Wild Trout Streams." Listing of streams in this category does not convey the right to trespass or fish on private lands without the landowner's permission. These waters will not be stocked with trout. Unless otherwise noted, the entire length of the stream is included in the designation.

1. Brass Castle Creek --Washington Twp., Warren;

2. Dismal Brook --Mendham Twp., Morris;

3. Dunnfield Creek --Worthington State Forest, Warren;

4. Flanders Brook --Mt. Olive Twp., Morris;

5. India Brook --Source to Mountainside Ave., Mendham Twp., Morris;

6. Indian Grove Brook --Bernardsville Twp., Somerset;

7. Ledgewood Brook --Roxbury Twp., Morris;

8. Lomerson Brook, also known as Herzog Brook --Tewksbury Twp., Hunterdon;

9. Merrill Creek --Merrill Creek Reservoir dam to Pohatcong Creek, Greenwich Twp., Warren;

10. Raritan River, S. Br. --dam approx. 400 feet upstream of Flanders-Drakestown Rd. to 200 feet upstream from Schooleys Mountain. Rd. (Rt. 517), Washington Twp., Hunterdon;

11. Stony Brook --Washington Twp., Morris;

12. Teetertown Brook --Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon/Washington Twp., Morris;

13. Turkey Brook --Mount Olive Twp., Morris;

14. Van Campens Brook --Source to upper water waterfall in Van Campens Glen, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area;

15. West Brook --Source downstream to Windbeam Club Property, Ringwood Twp., Passaic;

16. Whippany River --Source to Tingley Rd., Mendham Twp., Morris;

17. Willoughby Brook --(also known as Buffalo Hollow Brook) Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon;

(e) The following regulations shall apply to the Wild Trout Streams designated at (d) above.

1. Fishing in Wild Trout Streams is permitted year-round.

2. Only artificial lures and flies, with no more than three hook points in total, all of which must be barbless, may be used.

3. A person shall not have in possession while fishing any natural bait, live or preserved.

4. A person shall not have in possession, while fishing, any substance, either as a natural or synthetic compound, that contains a concentration of bait scent or such scent enhanced bait.

5. Except as specified in (e)7 below for Brook Trout, a person shall not, take, kill, or have in possession, while fishing, any trout less than nine inches;

6. Except as specified in (e)7 below for Brook Trout, from opening day to September 15, a person shall not take, kill, or have in possession, while fishing, any more than two legally sized dead, creeled, or otherwise appropriated trout. Trout may not be killed or possessed during other times of the year.

7. All Brook Trout, regardless of size, caught within the Brook Trout Conservation Zone must be immediately released unharmed.

(f) The following streams, or portions thereof, are designated as "Wild Brown Enhancement Streams." Listing of streams in this category does not convey the right to trespass or fish on private lands without the landowner's permission. These waters will not be stocked with trout. Unless otherwise noted, the entire length of the stream is included in the designation.

1. Beaver Brook --Town of Clinton/Clinton Twp., Hunterdon;

2. Burnett Brook --Chester/Mendham Twps., Morris;

3. Cold Brook --Tewskbury Twp., Hunterdon;

4. Hakihokake Creek --(also known as Little York Bk) source to Little York-Mount Pleasant Rd, Little York, Alexandria Twp., Hunterdon;

5. Jackson Brook --Source to Hedden Park Lake, Mine Hill Twp., Morris;

6. Mill Brook --Randolph Twp., Morris;

7. Passaic River --Source to Rt. 202, Bernardsville Twp., Morris;

8. Pequannock River --Oak Ridge Rd. bridge (Newark Watershed) to railroad bridge immediately upstream of Charlottesburg Reservoir; and from Rt. 23 bridge at Smoke Rise to the Rt. 23 bridge at Smith Mills, Kinnelon Twp., Morris;

9. Rockaway Creek, N. Br. --Tewksbury Twp., Hunterdon;

10. Saddle River --State line to Lake St., Upper Saddle River Borough, Bergen;

11. Spring Mills Brook - Holland Twp., Hunterdon;

12. Van Campens Brook --upper waterfall in Van Campens Glen, located approx. 0.8 miles upstream of Old Mine Rd., to Delaware River, Delaware Water Gap Natural Recreation Area); and

13. Wanaque River --Wanaque Res. dam downstream to Wanaque Ave., Pompton Lakes Borough, Passaic.

(g) The following regulations shall apply to the "Wild Brown Enhancement Streams" designated at (f) above.

1. Fishing is permitted year-round.

2. Only artificial lures and flies, with no more than three hook points in total, all of which must be barbless, may be used.

3. A person shall not have in possession while fishing any natural bait, live or preserved.

4. A person shall not have in possession, while fishing, any substance, either as a natural or synthetic compound, that contains a concentration of bait scent or such scent enhanced bait.

5. Except as specified in (g)7 below for Brook Trout, a person shall not, take, kill, or have in possession, while fishing, a Brown Trout less than 12 inches, or a Brook or Rainbow Trout less than nine inches.

6. Except as specified in (g)7 below for Brook Trout, from opening day to September 15, a person shall not take, kill, or have in possession while fishing any more than two legally sized dead, creeled, or otherwise appropriated Brook, Brown, or Rainbow Trout. Trout may not be killed or possessed during other times of the year.

7. All Brook Trout, regardless of size, caught within the Brook Trout Conservation Zone must be immediately released unharmed.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-6.7

Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 801(b), effective 2/5/2018