Fish & Wildlife continues its normal stocking schedule with three weeks of pre-season stocking and seven weeks of in-season stocking with in-season closures in effect. Trout stocked waters will not be open to catch-and-release during the pre-season this year.

2023 spring trout season will be as follows:

• Up to March 19: Waters open to fishing, with a 4 trout daily limit and a 9″ size minimum
• March 20 – April 8 at 8:00 a.m.: Waters closed to trout fishing (* See Exceptions below)
• April 8 at 8:00 a.m.: Opening day of trout season!

2023 Spring Trout Season Information

2023 Stocking Schedule and Trout Allocations 

2023 Trout Regulations 

*Exceptions: Lake Hopatcong, Mountain Lake, Lake Shenandoah, Lawrence Brook (section from Davidson’s Mill Rd. to Farrington Lake dam), Prospertown Lake and Swartswood Lake are open year round to fishing. However, all trout caught during this period (above) must be released immediately. Seasonal and Year-round Trout Conservation Areas and designated Holdover Trout Lakes (see pages 19-21 in the Trout Regulations ) are also open to fishing but are catch-and-release only for trout. Fishing is not permitted on Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on April 8, 2023. Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs (Trophy Trout Lakes) are open to year round fishing; trout may be harvested within the regulations as shown on page 21 in the Trout Regulations .