N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-6.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 7:25-6.5 - Special regulation trout fishing areas-Trout Conservation Areas

(a) The following stream segments are designated as Year-Round Trout Conservation Areas and are subject to the provisions at (c) below governing these areas on a year-round basis:

1. Toms River, Ocean County--a one mile stretch of river from the downstream end of Riverwood Park in Dover Township, defined by markers, downstream to the Route 571 bridge; and

2. Musconetcong River, Hunterdon and Warren counties--an approximate 1.2-mile stretch of the Musconetcong River near Point Mountain extending from the Penwell Rd. bridge downstream to the Point Mountain Rd. bridge.

(b) The following stream segments are designated as Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas and are subject to the provisions at (c) below governing these areas during the periods of January 1 up to, but not including, opening day and from the seventh Monday following opening day, through December 31.

1. Pequest River, Warren County--An approximate 1.0 mile portion, within the Pequest Wildlife Management Area, extending from the County bridge on Pequest Furnace Rd. at Pequest upstream to the Conrail Railroad Bridge upstream of the Pequest Trout Hatchery Access Rd.

2. Pequannock River, Morris and Passaic Counties--An approximate 1.3 mile stretch of river extending from the railroad trestle located immediately downstream of Appelt Park, Riverdale to Hamburg Turnpike bridge, Pompton Lakes.

(c) The following regulations shall apply to the Year-Round and Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas designated at (a) and (b) above:

1. Fishing in Year-Round and Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas is permitted during their respective seasons specified in (a) and (b) above. Fishing in Year-Round Trout Conservation Areas is permitted year-round, including during pre-season and in-season fishing closures which may apply to the remainder of the respective rivers where these areas exist;

2. Only artificial lures and flies 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 (c)7 below for Brook Trout, a person shall not take, kill, or have in possession, while fishing, any trout less than 15 inches;

6. Except as specified in (c)7 below for Brook Trout, a person shall not take, kill, or have in possession, while fishing, any more than one legally sized dead, creeled, or otherwise appropriated trout daily, except that no trout may be retained during pre-season and in-season closures, which apply to the remainder of the respective rivers where these areas exist. In Year-Round Conservation Areas designated in (a) above, additional trout may be caught provided they are immediately returned to the water unharmed; and

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

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:25-6.5

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