This blog identifies the ponds in central New Jersey that provide the best odds of catching trout during the spring of 2016. For the purpose of this blog, central New Jersey covers Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset counties. The fishing action on these bodies of water can be fast and furious in the spring. Trout activity typically peaks for three or four weeks between mid-April and mid-May, after which the bite slows down due to rising surface water temperatures.
A pond is considered TOP due to its trout stocking density: everything else being equal, the more trout that are stocked per acre of water, the greater the chances of catching those fish!!
Click here for driving directions to these choice fishing spots. Click here for details on actual stocking days. Click here for the latest law book about special fishing regulations that may apply.
The hottest trout ponds for this spring in central New Jersey are listed below in alphabetical order:
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Amwell Lake covers 10 acres and is located in the Amwell Lake Wildlife Management Area off Route 31 in East Amwell, Hunterdon County. This lake is stocked with 37 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 28 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Colonial Lake covers 10 acres and is located in Colonial Lake Park next to Lake Drive off Brunswick Avenue in Trenton, Mercer County. This lake is stocked with 37 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 28 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Echo Lake covers 6 acres and is located in Echo Lake Park next to Maxim Southard Road off Lanes Mill Road in Southard, Monmouth County. This lake is stocked with 60 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 45 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Englishtown Mill Pond (also known as Lake Weamaconk) covers 6 acres and is located next to Park Avenue off Main Street in Englishtown, Monmouth County. This pond is stocked with 72 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 53 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Garveys Pond covers 2 acres and is located next to Lakeside Avenue off Locust Point Road in Navesink, Monmouth County. This pond is stocked with 75 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 60 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Holmdel Park Pond covers 5 acres and is located in Holmdel Park off Longstreet Road in Holmdel, Monmouth County. This pond is stocked with 42 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 32 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Hooks Creek Lake covers 10 acres and is located off State Park Road in Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge, Middlesex County. This pond is stocked with 45 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 34 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Mannys Pond covers 3 acres and is located off Baptist Church Road in Hoffman Park in Union, Hunterdon County. This pond, which has a small island in its center, is stocked with 97 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 72 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Mohawk Pond covers 2 acres and is located next to Henry Street off Newman Springs Road in Red Bank, Monmouth County. This pond is stocked with 85 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 65 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of May 2 to 6.
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Mountain Farm Pond covers 3 acres and is located in the Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve off Pleasant Grove Road in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County. This pond is stocked with 121 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 90 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
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Roosevelt Park Pond covers 10 acres and is located in Roosevelt Park off Parsonage Road (Route 657) in Edison Township, Middlesex County. This pond is stocked with 41 trout per acre before opening day. It is then stocked with an extra 31 trout per acre on weeks 1, 2, and 3 during the in-season stocking period. The last stocking event on this pond this spring occurs during the week of April 25 to 29.
Was the information in this blog useful? I invite you to provide your thoughts and opinions. Also, feel free to share your fishing experiences on any of the ponds highlighted in this blog.
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