Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It's no secret: People like fishing most when they actually catch a fish.

The state knows this, which is why the Division of Fish and Wildlife works to stock lakes, creeks and rivers around New Jersey with fish. Trout stands out as the favorite fish, and one of the state's two fish hatcheries are dedicated entirely to trout.

Hundreds of thousands of trout are stocked in waterways around the Garden State every spring. These eleven bodies of water, however, get the most of the popular fish.

So grab your rods and get outside to take a day on these trout-filled waters. And be sure to let us know in the comments what your favorite fishing holes are.

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Lake Hopatcong: 9,720 trout

It's the largest lake in the state, and this lake gets stocked with more trout than any other. This year the state is set to release 9,720 of the fish into Lake Hopatcong, a nine-mile long body of water that is shared by Morris County and Sussex County

This video was shot from Hopatcong State Park, on Lake Hopatcong's western shore near.

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Rahway River: 11,900 trout

The Rahway River, which winds through Essex, Middlesex and Union Counties, is going to be stocked with 11,900 trout this year.

This video was filmed near the Rahway River Park in Rahway.

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Delaware & Raritan Feeder Canal: 13,120 trout

The feeder canal, which runs 22 miles from Bull's Island to Trenton, supplies the water that fills the main canal. But when it comes to trout stocking the feeder canal may as well be the main canal: The state is putting 13,120 trout into the feeder this year.

This video of the feeder canal was filmed at Bull's Island Recreation Area in Delaware Township.

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Ramapo River: 16,780 trout

The Ramapo River begins in New York before flowing through Bergen, Passaic and Morris Counties before emptying into the Pompton River. The state plans to release 16,780 trout into the Ramapo this year.

This video of the river was filmed at the Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah.

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Pohatcong Creek: 19,970 trout

This 30-mile long creek winds through Warren County on its way to the Delaware River. The state plans to stock 19,970 total trout in Pohatcong Creek this year; 19,300 below Route 31 and another 670 above the highway.

This video of Pohtacong Creek was filmed at the Pohatcong Native Arboretum in Washington Township.

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Rockaway River: 23,780 trout

This 35 mile long tributary of the Passaic is highlighted by the Boonton Gorge, which includes the impressive Boonton Falls. The river will be supplied by the state with 23,780 trout this year.

This video of the Rockaway River was filmed at Grace Lord Park in Boonton.

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Pequest River: 26,720 trout

From Stickles Pond in Newton to the Delaware River in Belvidere, the Pequest River flows 35 miles through Sussex and Warren Counties. The state plans to stock the river with 26,720 trout this year, with 22,870 of the fish going to the main portion of the river and another 3,850 going to the Pequest River Season Trout Conservation Area

This video of the Pequest River was filmed at Park Pequest River in Belvidere.

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Paulins Kill: 27,110 trout

For about 41 miles, Paulins Kill flows from Fredon Township in Sussex County to Knowlton Township in Warren County where it empties into the Delaware River. This year, the state is set to stock Paulins Kill with 27,110 trout.

This video of Paulins Kill was filmed at Sycamore Park in Blairstown.

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Big Flat Brook: 34,540 trout

A staple of the Delaware Water Gap area, Big Flat Brook flows through various parks and protected areas in Sussex County. Big Flat Brook is set to be stocked with 34,540 trout by the state this year; 32,540 released below Steam Mill Bridge and another 2,000 released above.

This video of Big Flat Brook was filmed just outside of Walpack Township in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

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Musconetcong River: 53,140 trout

The Musconetcong River, one of the only National Wild and Scenic Rivers in New Jersey, runs nearly 46 miles from Lake Hopatcong to the Delaware River. This year the state will be stocking 53,140 total trout into the Musconetcong; 51,530 trout into the main portion of the river and another 1,610 into the Musconetcong's Year-Round Trout Conservation Area.

This video of the Musconetcong River was filmed at Stephens State Park in Hackettstown.

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Raritan River: 64,560 trout

It's no surprise that the Raritan, the longest river contained entirely in New Jersey, is the hottest spot for trout fishing in the Garden State. Most of the action is in the South Branch Raritan River, though the state stocks trout in all parts of the waterway. In total, the state will be stocking a total of 64,560 trout into the Raritan this year. The majority of that, 40,740 trout, will go to the South Branch Raritan River. Another 17,720 trout go to the North Branch Raritan River. Then 3,380 trout will go into the Raritan's main stem and the last 2,720 will go to the section of the river in the Ken Lockwood Gorge.

This video of the Raritan River was filmed at Scott Park in Long Valley.

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Get out there, New Jersey!

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Pitch a tent: 12 great places to go camping in N.J.

Michael Sol Warren may be reached at mwarren@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MSolDub. Find NJ.com on Facebook.