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SEA RUN BROWN TROUT STOCKED

November 4, 1999

For more information contact:
Mark Boriek at 908-236-2118

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife recently released 31,575 8-inch sea run brown trout in the Manasquan River of Monmouth County. The release marked the third annual stocking of this five-year program, bringing the total number of fish stocked to 80,645.

"This new program is proving to be extremely promising," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "I'd like to offer special thanks to the Ernest Schwiebert and Jersey Shore Chapters of Trout Unlimited who provided financial support and assisted in fin clipping the 1999 allotment of sea run brown trout."

It is anticipated that these trout will migrate out to the saltwater estuary for one to two years to take advantage of the abundant food sources available, grow between two and four pounds (or larger) and then return to the freshwater Manasquan River in the fall of the year. Although it is doubtful that the existing water quality will support successful reproduction despite recent improvements in water quality, the urge to spawn will concentrate these fish in the freshwater portion of the river creating an exciting new fishery. In fact, now is the perfect time to fish for the sea run brown trout stocked in 1997 and 1998.

To date, there have been only nine reported and confirmed catches of sea run brown trout in freshwater and five in saltwater. Anglers are reminded that cooperation in reporting catches is key to the success of the program and should contact the Division's Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries at 908-236-2118 or 908-637-4173.

Currently, the largest confirmed catch of a sea run brown trout was taken from the Manasquan River at Brice Park near Allenwood. The fish measured 18 inches in length and weighed six pounds. It had the characteristic silvery color and deep body of a sea run trout. In addition, the clipped fin indicated that it had been stocked in October of 1997.