And though Merrill Creek does not have the reproduction capabilities of the Valley, it has similar characteristics as water is pumped up into the reservoir from the Delaware River.

When it comes to trout fishing in New Jersey, another interesting development has to do with recent flooding.

The Musky Trout Hatchery, a private facility, had rearing ponds along the Delaware in the Phillipsburg area. Several times, these ponds were over taken by floodwaters, and trout were inadvertently released into the Delaware River. For the last several years these trout have been moving into and out of the lower Musconetcong River and Pohatcong Creek, providing some fine trophy trout fishing in the lower portions of those waters.

Last but not least, Spring Lake -- a coastal lake in the town of the same name, only a few hundred yards off the ocean -- has seen some huge trout caught from its waters over the last several years.

Trout are stocked in Spring Lake by both the state and a local fishing club, as part of their yearly trout-fishing contest. During the last couple of years, some huge rainbows have been stocked -- and caught.

One, a 12-pound-plus rainbow, came close to breaking the state record a couple of years ago.

There you have it, a look at some of the top Garden State waters producing trophy trout. You never really know if your next cast will put you in the record books -- and that’s especially true if you happen to be fishing any of the waters mentioned here.

Find more about Mid-Atlantic fishing and hunting at MidAtlanticGameandFish.com