(08/22) TRENTON - With waters throughout New Jersey now teeming with feisty trout, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today invited residents and visitors to celebrate the official opening of trout season on Saturday, April 5, at 8 a.m.

“Opening day heralds the arrival of yet another season of first-rate trout fishing in our streams, lakes and ponds. Casting a line with family and friends while enjoying the quiet beauty of our landscapes is truly one of life’s simple pleasures. I encourage everyone to get out on our waters and discover what thousands of satisfied anglers already know: Trout fishing in New Jersey is time and money well spent,” Commissioner Jackson said.

Upward of 150,000 anglers are expected to head to their favorite fishing spots to mark the season opener.

Trout anglers ages 16 through 70 are reminded to buy a New Jersey fishing license and a trout stamp. Both can easily be purchased online at www.njfishandwildlife.com and printed at home, or from license agents throughout the state.

Come opening day, the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will have stocked 180,000 brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout in nearly 200 waterways throughout New Jersey. A total of 570,000 trout will be stocked by the end of May.

All of the trout are raised at the state’s Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County. Most of the trout average 10.5 inches and weigh one-half pound. For even more angling excitement, the Division of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 6,000 big broodstock trout, which typically tip the scales at 3 pounds to 5 pounds and measure 14 inches to 19 inches. What’s more, lunker broodstock will be released in nine ponds and lakes, each receiving 30 fish to 50 fish - three to five times more than previously stocked as part of this popular program.

The size limit statewide for brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout this year is nine inches, up from seven inches in 2007 - a change that is not expected to affect anglers fishing for stocked trout, but will help protect naturally reproducing trout populations.

Other important information on trout and trout fishing in New Jersey, including the stocking schedule, a list of fishing access sites, trout water closures, program changes and updates, and the 2008 Trout Fishing Outlook is available on the DEP’s Fish and Wildlife Web site at www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_spr08.htm.

The weekly schedule of waters slated for spring stocking is also available by calling the Trout Stocking Hotline at (609) 633-6765.

For a summary of fishing regulations, license information, and feature articles, read the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest Freshwater Fishing Edition, which is available wherever fishing licenses are sold, and on Fish and Wildlife’s Web site.