The South Branch of the Raritan River in Ken Lockwood Gorge is a popular place to fish. The boulder-strewn river offers great trout cover and wild and stocked trout await anglers’ flies. Even when the fish aren’t biting, the scenic surroundings make the experience well worthwhile.

Maintaining such a fine fishery in a densely populated state is not automatic. Water quantity and quality must be protected. The health of the watershed and the streamside riparian corridor must be maintained. The state Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife needs to understand the fishery to set the appropriate regulations and stocking schedule.

Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups make sure these considerations are taken and our remaining trout streams are protected. New Jersey TUers cooperate closely across chapter lines to push for responsible development and mitigate past damages.

Last year, TUers completed a massive streambank restoration effort on the South Branch of the Raritan. By tapering and re-vegetating 11,000 feet of bank, they stabilized a highly erosive area, preventing sediment from accumulating in the stream.

New Jersey TUers volunteer to assist the Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife with electrofishing surveys and stocking. The state fisheries biologists are appreciative of the volunteer support. On big streams including the South Branch, it would be difficult for them to complete an electrofishing survey without the extra hands.

I joined well over a dozen TUers at Ken Lockwood Gorge to see them in action. Three chapter presidents and other “regulars” were on hand along with a few first time volunteers. The crew spread out across the river and marched up stream stunning and netting fish as they went.

The collection buckets were filled with a menagerie of fish species including sunfish, smallmouth bass, eels, and, of course, trout. The data will be used to better manage the fishery. I’m sure a few of the volunteers also took mental notes about where those big wild browns were found.

Elsewhere throughout the state, TU is active in conservation education. New Jersey chapters sponsor Trout in the Classroom (TIC) programs in 33 schools! If you haven’t already read about my visit with TIC in New York, please CLICK HERE.

No matter where you live, if you volunteer a little time to TU, you can help your favorite trout fisheries… and someday you might learn exactly where “the big ones” live.

CLICK HERE to see a couple photos from Ken Lockwood Gorge.

CLICK HERE to visit NJ TU's hompage

CLICK HERE to use TU’s chapter search to find your local chapter. Autumn is a great time to get involved.