Online Fishing Community - New Jersey Fishing News

Nontraditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Advisory Panels for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 14:58:39 -0500

The Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board is in the process of re-configuring its three species advisory panels. As part of that process, the Board is seeking nominations from nontraditional stakeholders to fill two seats on each of the three advisory panels (summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass). Examples of such stakeholders include, but are not limited to, nongovernmental organizations, grassroots organizations, and individuals/groups with an

Tautog Draft Addendum IV Hearings Schedule

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 14:24:35 -0500

States from Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The dates, times and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:

Freshwater Fisheries Forum December 2 at Hackettstown FishHatchery

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:22:00 -0500

A public forum to discuss freshwater fisheries culture research, management and recreational angling in New Jersey will be held on Saturday, December 2 at the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery in Warren County. The forum will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Fish Art and Writing Contest information Available

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:01:55 -0500

Elementary and Middle School teachers and students take note: The 2007 Fish Art and Writing Contest information is now posted on the Division of Fish and Wildlife Web site. Students in grades 4 - 8 can learn about NJ's fish while honing their artistic skills. The division's website also has lots of online resources that students can search to learn about NJ's fish as they do the research for the biography portion of the contest.

Sign Up Now For New Jersey Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:54:51 -0400

Applications are now being accepted for New Jersey’s annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament, held Oct. 1 at Island Beach State Park.

A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament. Overall length determines the winner. All fish must meet minimum length requirements.

Slots are still available for volunteers interested in the Conservation Education Program at Hackettstown Hatchery

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:59:18 -0400

The Hackettstown Hatchery's Natural Resource Education Center is seeking individuals with some formal or informal teaching experience and knowledge about natural resources to help with a conservation education program offered to school groups from fifth to eighth grades. This one day training will consist of signing up as a Wildlife Conservation Corps (http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/wcchome.htm) volunteer and will prepare you for site-specific activities for the educational sessions. Themes related to wildlife, wildlife management, human influences and non-living landscape features will be covered with lots of time for background information and sharing.

Interested individuals can select either Friday or Saturday for the training. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register, please contact Liz Jackson at 908-637-4125 or send an e-mail to ejackson@dep.state.nj.us.

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with our Wildlife Heritage Festival this Sunday

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:41:11 -0400

Kids between the ages of 8 and 16 will be able to try their hand at fishing in our trout-filled education pond. We'll supply all the equipment and instruction for the day. For those kids under 8, we will have our Kiddie Trout Tank stocked with fish from the hatchery. And we'll even have our casting area set up, where anyone can learn how to cast. There will be other activities for the kids in our Kiddie Tent, including kite making!

Volunteers are wanted for the Conservation Education Program at Hackettstown Hatchery's Natural Resource Education Center

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:36:59 -0400

The dates of the training are:

Friday, September 22, 2006 or
Saturday, September 23, 2006
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission concerning striped bass management

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:34:38 -0400

States from New Hampshire through Maryland have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The dates, times and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:

National Hunting and Fishing Day with our Wildlife Heritage Festival

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 13:28:42 -0400

Join the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife as we celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with our Wildlife Heritage Festival on September 24, 2006 from 10:00 - 4:00 at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County.

Assunpink Boat Ramp Closes Aug. 21 for Reconstruction

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:22:28 -0400

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will begin construction on a new boat ramp at Assunpink Lake on August 28, 2006. The existing ramp and entire parking area will be closed to sportsmen and the general public until the project is completed. The date of completion is projected to be November 27, 2006.

Come celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with us

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:20:33 -0400

Join us at the fifth annual Wildlife Heritage Festival on September 24, 2006 from 10:00 - 4:00 as we celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center.

Bring your family and friends to the Pequest Trout Hatchery for a day of family fun. Volunteers from Trout Unlimited and the Wildlife Conservation Corps will be on hand to teach kids between the ages of 8 and 16 the art of fishing as they try their luck in our Fishing Education Pond. Kids under 8 will be able to fish in our "kiddie fishing tank" which will be stocked with trout from the hatchery.

There will be an archery range for beginners and for the advanced archer, we will have a free 3-D archery course set up through the woods. You will need to bring your own equipment for the 3-D course. There are 15 shooting stations where you will get a chance to shoot at deer, bear, turkey and coyotes under realistic hunting conditions. Test your shooting skills as you take aim at our steel deer! Instructors will teach you the basics of shooting a shotgun at our Introduction to Shotgun range which will be set up. Two hunter education field sessions will also be run at the event.

The auditorium will be packed with wildlife artists and taxidermists who will be on hand selling their art and services. The Sportsmen's Flea Market is returning again this year, with vendors selling fishing and hunting related items. There will even be guides and outfitters set up displaying their services. Conservation groups' representatives will be here to talk with visitors and several reenactors will be encamped at the hatchery to demonstrate primitive living skills from a bygone era. There will be kids' activities for children of all ages, so bring your whole family!

The Pequest Trout Hatchery is located on Route 46 nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County. Come spend the day at the Wildlife Heritage Festival or visit the hatchery at any time during the year. There will be food available for purchase on the day of the Festival. For more information about public or group visitation/programs call 908-637-4125 or see the on-line schedule of public programs. All of our events are free of charge.

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission regarding total allowable landing limits for scup and black sea bass

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 14:22:57 -0400

The 2007 black sea bass quota was set at 6.5 million pounds, divided into a 3.2 million pound commercial quota and a 3.3 recreational limit. While the approved TAL exceeds the 5 million pound limit recommended by the Monitoring Committee, it does represent a 1.5 million pound decrease from last year and responds to the stock's decreased biomass and overfished condition. No changes were made to minimum sizes, vent sizes, or mesh restrictions. However, as set in 2006, all traps and pots will be required to have at least two vents in the parlor portion of the trap to help increase escapement of sub-legal fish and all circular vents must be 2.5". These measures must be implemented by January 1, 2007.

Come celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with us!

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 13:55:55 -0400

Near Record Channel Cat Leaves Angler Winded

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:14:18 -0400

New Page 1

On July 1, 2006 at 8am, Ryszard Grzesik of Matawan landed a 32 pound, 7 ounce
channel catfish using a shrimp for bait in Lake Shenandoah. The behemoth, with a
girth of 24 inches and a length of 34.5 inches, was just 12 ounces shy of Howard
Hudson's 1978 NJ state record of 33 pounds, 3 ounces from Lake Hopatcong.

The
battle to land the fish left Mr. Grzesik, a smoker, winded. "Maybe it lost 12 or
more ounces because of the long fight. If I was in better shape I could've
landed it more quickly, and I would now have the State Record!"

"That was my last cigarette, I quit!" he said.

Hot weather really puts channels on the feed! See the list of NJ channel catfish
stocked waters for a location near you, and the Freshwater Record Fish page to
see what record you might want to pursue.

Lake Shenandoah is within Lake Shenandoah County Park in Lakewood, Ocean County.
The 100-acre lake has accessible fishing piers, small boat launch (electric
motors only) and an on-site bait-and-tackle shop with boat rentals. The lake is
stocked with trout and supports thriving populations of largemouth bass,
pickerel, perch, crappie and sunfish. And channel cats!