Brown Trout regulations in New Jersey

Trout · Freshwater · 2026 season

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

Brown Trout size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Trout-stocked rivers & streams (general regulation)	January 1 – March 22, April 11 – December 31	9 inch minimum	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.
Lakes & ponds (general regulation)	Open year-round	9 inch minimum	2 (Jan 1–Apr 11 8 a.m.); 6 (Apr 11 8 a.m.–May 31); 2 (Jun 1–Dec 31)
Trout-Stocked Streams — Wild Brown Trout Managed (Hakihohake, Lopatcong, Pequannock Rt. 23–Appelt Park, Pophandusing, Raritan S/Br. above Lake Solitude, Saddle River Lake St.–West Century Rd.)	January 1 – March 22, April 11 – December 31	12 inch minimum	2 combined (Jan 1–Mar 22 and Jun 1–Dec 31); 6 combined Apr 11–May 31 of which only 2 may be brown trout
Wild Brown Trout Enhancement Streams	April 11 – September 15	12 inch minimum	2 brown or rainbow trout combined; catch & release Sep 16–Apr 11
Wild Trout Streams (multiple species)	April 11 – September 15	9 inch minimum	2 brown or rainbow trout combined; catch & release Sep 16–Apr 11
Native Brook Trout Streams	April 11 – September 15	No minimum size	2 brown or rainbow trout combined
Trophy Trout Lakes: Merrill Creek Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir	Open year-round	15 inch minimum	2 combined (brown & rainbow, and landlocked salmon at Merrill Creek)
Holdover Trout Lakes: Clinton Res., Lake Aeroflex, Lake Wawayanda, Sheppard Lake, Tilcon Lake, White Lake	Open year-round	9 inch minimum	2 (Jan 1–Apr 11 8 a.m.); 4 (Apr 11 8 a.m.–May 31); 2 (Jun 1–Dec 31)
Delaware River	April 18 – October 15	No minimum	5 trout (all species)

Notes

Wild streams: artificials only, barbless, no more than 3 hook points, no bait or bait scent.
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); 12 inches on Wild Brown Trout Managed stocked streams and Wild Brown Trout Enhancement Streams
Limit: 2 / 6 / 2 by period combined; only 2 browns within the 6 on Wild Brown Trout Managed streams; 2 brown/rainbow combined Apr 11–Sep 15 on wild streams
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. ... Trout-Stocked Streams — Wild Brown Trout Managed: Hakihohake Creek, Lopatcong Creek, Pequannock River (Route 23, Smith Mills to railroad trestle below Appelt Park), Pophandusing Creek, Raritan River S/Br. (... to Lake Solitude dam, excluding Ken Lockwood Gorge), Saddle River (Lake Street ... to West Century Rd.) | Brown Trout | 12 inches | April 11 at 8 a.m.–May 31 ... 6 combined Only 2 of which may be Brown Trout ... WILD BROWN TROUT ENHANCEMENT STREAMS | Brown Trout | 12" | April 11 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 15 | 2 Brown or Rainbow Trout combined”

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

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More trout

Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Lake Trout Landlocked Atlantic Salmon

About the brown trout

Species of fish

The brown trout is a species of carnivorous ray-finned fish and the most widely distributed species of the salmonid genus Salmo, endemic to most of Europe, West Asia and parts of North Africa, and has been widely introduced globally as a game fish, even becoming one of the world's worst invasive species outside of its native range.

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

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Frequently asked

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

9 inch minimum in New Jersey state waters.

How many Brown 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 Brown Trout season in New Jersey?

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

Is my Brown Trout a keeper today?

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