Changes in New Jersey’s 2012 freshwater fishing regulations – Today’s Sunbeam

The 2012 New Jersey freshwater fishing regulations have been released, and some changes are being implemented that will affect local anglers and bodies of water.

South Vineland Park has been added to the Fish and Wildlife trout stocking program. The 20-acre sand pond is surprisingly deep, as much as 35 feet in some areas, and has a narrow band of trout-supporting water, which is rare in South Jersey. South Vineland Park also has an accommodating shoreline, a boat ramp and a handicapped-fishing pier.

With the addition of South Vineland Park to the program, Giampetro Park Pond, also in Vineland, has been reduced to pre-season stocking only.

Mullica Hill pond in Gloucester County will no longer be stocked with trout due to an increase in roadway traffic on 322 that poses a significant risk to state employees and anglers.

Alloway Lake in Salem County has been designated a “Lunker Bass” lake. The designation carries with it a 15-inch size limit and a daily limit of three fish for largemouth bass. In 2009 and 2010, the Division of Fish and Wildlife conducted surveys of the lake and has documented an abundant largemouth population.

The rod limit per-person on the Delaware River has been increased from two to three for both shoreline and boat anglers, and is now consistent with newly adopted regulations in Pennsylvania.

The new regulations clarify which species may be taken while bow-fishing. Carp, eels, shad, flathead catfish, snakeheads and suckers are the only species which may be legally taken by a bow and arrow.

The 2012 rules also establish a daily limit of 25 fish for any species without a specified limit.
Salt water anglers are reminded that anyone over the age of 16 who recreationally fishes with a rod, handline, spear or by hand in any marine or fresh tidal waterway in the state is required to register with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.

Anyone who purchases a New Jersey freshwater fishing license is also required to register.

Registration is free, and the stated goal of the registry is to provide reliable, universally trusted data that will aid anglers and fisheries managers in determining the health and sustainability of fish stocks.