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Brook Trout regulations in New Jersey

Trout · Freshwater · 2026 season

Brook Trout size limit, season and daily limit

Notes

• Anywhere west of I-287 and north of Rt. 202 every brook trout goes back in the water.
• Wild Trout Streams: artificials only, barbless, max 3 hook points; brook trout always released.
• Opening day is the second Saturday in April (Apr 11, 2026 at 8 a.m.).
• Trout stamp required in addition to a fishing license (ages 16–69).
• In-season stocking-day closures 5 a.m.–5 p.m. apply to listed stocked waters.
• Trout Conservation Areas: 15 inch, 1 fish (6 fish/9 inch Apr 11–May 24 in Seasonal TCAs); Catch and Release Areas: no possession.

Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording

Season

General trout seasons (see zones)

Size

9 inches (general); catch & release in Brook Trout Conservation Zone and all Wild Trout Streams

Limit

2 / 6 / 2 by period (combined with brown and rainbow); 0 in Conservation Zone

Trout-stocked rivers & streams (general regulation) — as printed

“General Trout Fishing Regulations for Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout (and their hybrids and strains) RIVERS & STREAMS (PRESEASON CLOSURE REMAINS IN EFFECT) January 1–March 22 | 9 inches | 2* ; March 23–April 11 at 8 a.m. | Fishing prohibited on trout stocked rivers and streams. ; April 11 at 8 a.m.–May 31 | 9 inches | 6* ; June 1–Dec. 31 | 9 inches | 2* ... LAKES & PONDS (NO LONGER CLOSED DURING PRESEASON) January 1–April 11 at 8 a.m. | 9 inches | 2 ; April 11 at 8 a.m.– May 31 | 6 ; June 1–December 31 | 2 ... *ALL BROOK TROUT CAUGHT WITHIN THE BROOK TROUT CONSERVATION ZONE MUST BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED UNHARMED. ... The Conservation Zone includes all waters west of I-287 and north of Rt. 202, extending to, but not including the Delaware River. ... NATIVE BROOK TROUT STREAMS (BROOK TROUT DOMINANT) | Brook Trout | Catch & Release | April 11 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 15 Catch and Release at all other times, year-round | 2 Brown or Rainbow Trout combined”

Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

More trout

About the brook trout

Species of fish

The brook trout is a species of freshwater fish in the char genus Salvelinus of the salmon family Salmonidae native to Eastern North America in the United States and Canada. Two ecological forms of brook trout have been recognized by the US Forest Service. One ecological form is long-lived potamodromous populations in Lake Superior known as coaster trout or coasters. The second ecological form is the short-living predaceous anadromous populations which are found in northern lakes and coastal rivers from Long Island to Hudson Bay, which are referred to as salters. In parts of its range, it is also known as the eastern brook trout, speckled trout, brook char, squaretail, brookie, or mud trout, among others. Adult coaster brook trout are capable of reaching sizes over 2 feet in length and weigh up to 6.8 kg (15 lb), whereas adult salters average between 6 and 15 inches in length and weigh between 0.5 and 2.3 kg. The brook trout is characterized by its distinctive olive-green body with yellow and blue-rimmed red spots, white and black edged orange fins, and dorsal vermiculation. The diet of the brook trout is restrictive to the season and location of the fish, but will typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic insects, fry, crustaceans, zooplankton, and worms.

Read more about Brook trout on Wikipedia →

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.

All 62 New Jersey species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Brook Trout in New Jersey?

9 inch minimum in New Jersey state waters.

How many Brook Trout can you keep per day in New Jersey?

2 (Jan 1–Mar 22); 6 (Apr 11 8 a.m.–May 31); 2 (Jun 1–Dec 31). Closed Mar 23–Apr 11 8 a.m..

When is Brook Trout season in New Jersey?

January 1 – March 22, April 11 – December 31.

Is my Brook Trout a keeper today?

A brook trout is a keeper today if it measures at least 9 inches, with a daily limit of 2.