New Jersey's annual trout season starts April 8
JEFFERSON -- New Jersey's largest lake received a significant infusion of trout on Sunday, in keeping with an annual tradition.
Volunteers stocked Lake Hopatcong with 1,000 trout, six days before the start of the state's annual fishing season.
The trout, from the Musky Trout Hatchery in Asbury, were trucked in to Dow's Boat Rental.
From there, they were transferred from the truck to tubs, and from the tubs to the boat bringing them out to the lake.
The trout season is a major draw for anglers in New Jersey.
By the time the annual season gets underway at 8 a.m. Saturday, the state Department of Environmental Protection will have stocked 88 streams, ponds and lakes with 183,460 trout from its Pequest Trout Hatchery.
That's in addition to trout stocked by organizations such as the Knee Deep Club. The non-profit organization focuses on preserving and promoting Lake Hopatcong's natural resources.
The aftereffects of the March 14 snowstorm prompted the postponement of last week's open house at Pequest, but DEP said the pace of trout stocking has not been affected.
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.