SlotGaugeCheck a catchLake Trout regulations in New Jersey
Trout · Freshwater · 2026 season
Lake Trout size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill Creek Reservoir | Open year-round | 15–24 inch slot; 24 inch minimum | 2 fish 15 to less than 24 inches AND 2 fish 24 inches or greater (4 total) |
| Round Valley Reservoir | Open year-round | 15–24 inch slot; 24 inch minimum | 8 fish 15 to less than 24 inches AND 1 fish 24 inches or greater (9 total) |
Notes
- Only two NJ waters have lake trout rules: Merrill Creek and Round Valley reservoirs.
- Keep your 24-inch-and-over fish separate in your count — only 2 (Merrill Creek) or 1 (Round Valley) may be 24 inches or longer.
Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 15 inches; split at 24 inches
- Limit
- Merrill Creek: 2 fish 15–<24 in plus 2 fish 24 in or greater; Round Valley: 8 fish 15–<24 in plus 1 fish 24 in or greater
- Merrill Creek Reservoir — as printed
- “TROPHY TROUT LAKES | Merrill Creek Reservoir*(Warren) | Lake Trout | Open year-round | 15 to less than 24 inches AND greater than or equal to 24 inches | 2 AND 2 ; Round Valley Reservoir(Hunterdon) | Lake Trout | Open year-round | 15 to less than 24 inches AND greater than or equal to 24 inches | 8 AND 1”
Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the lake trout
Species of fish in northern North America
The lake trout is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in Northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, namaycush, lake char (or charr), touladi, togue, laker, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, it can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbelly and lean. The lake trout is prized both as a game fish and as a food fish. Those caught with dark coloration may be called mud hens.
Read more about Lake 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 Lake Trout in New Jersey?
15–24 inch slot; 24 inch minimum in New Jersey state waters.
How many Lake Trout can you keep per day in New Jersey?
2 fish 15 to less than 24 inches AND 2 fish 24 inches or greater (4 total).
When is Lake Trout season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
Is my Lake Trout a keeper today?
A lake trout is a keeper today if it measures between 15 and 24 inches or at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 4.