Anglers can fish for salmon in Wawayanda

TRENTON - Landlocked salmon are being stocked in two Sussex County freshwater lakes for the first time in more than 50 years, the state Dept. of Environmental Protection has announced. “For countless anglers, the opportunity to catch this hard-fighting sport fish close to home is a dream come true,” said Lisa P. Jackson, department commissioner. “We’re excited about bringing this species back to New Jersey’s waters,” she added. The department’s Division of Fish and Wildlife released more than 1,000 salmon into Lake Wawayanda at Wawayanda State Park and another 400 fish into Lake Aeroflex at Kittatinny Valley State Park on May 17. The waters, are among only a few deep lakes in New Jersey with suitable year-round habitat for cold-water fish like landlocked salmon and trout. These spring yearlings, which are the lake-dwelling variety of Atlantic salmon, are free surplus from the Massachusetts Dept. of Fish and Game. Hatched from eggs taken from mature females, the salmon are now 18 months old and measure nearly eight inches. Native to eastern Canada and Maine, landlocked salmon have been successfully introduced into suitable waters in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York. Salmon were stocked in several New Jersey waters more than a half-century ago, and the historical state record for landlocked salmon is an eight-pound fish caught from Lake Aeroflex in 1951. The salmon initially will feed on aquatic insects. As they reach 12 inches toward summer’s end, they will shift to a diet of alewives, which are plentiful in both lakes. Regulations allow anglers to keep two salmon per day at 12 inches or more, giving anglers opportunities this fall and winter to catch fish that commonly range from 12 inches to 17 inches, and occasionally even larger ones, which typically weigh about three pounds. Fish and Wildlife will maintain the landlocked salmon populations by releasing spring yearlings from Massachusetts every year. Though mature salmon may migrate into the inlets and outlets and attempt to spawn, it is unlikely that natural reproduction would produce enough fish to sustain the fisheries. Both Lake Wawayanda, which is 80 feet deep, and the 101-foot-deep Lake Aeroflex (also known as New Wawayanda Lake), currently are stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout. Landlocked salmon are closely related to brown trout, and anglers may have difficulty telling them apart. Because size and creel limits differ for salmon and trout, anglers should know how to identify them and, to comply with regulations, quickly release salmon smaller than 12 inches. Both state parks have boat ramps and ample parking. Boat rentals are also available seasonally at Lake Wawayanda. Only electric motors are permitted at both lakes. A park entrance fee is charged at Wawayanda State Park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There is no fee to launch boats at Lake Aeroflex. Lake Wawayanda is open to fishing from dawn to dusk; fishing is allowed on Lake Aeroflex 24 hours per day. For more information, log on to njfishandwildlife.com, or call Wawayanda State Park at 973-853-4462, or Kittatinny Valley State Park at 973-786-6445.