The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife says its spring 2013 downstate trout season will begin Saturday, March 2 with the opening of two downstate ponds stocked with rainbow trout.

On that date, Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond outside of Greenwood in Sussex County will open for trout fishing beginning at 7 a.m. 

Trout anglers planning to ply the waters of Tidbury and Newton ponds will want to note regulation requirements and recent clarifications:

• For Tidbury and Newton ponds, a trout stamp is now required from the first Saturday in March through April 1, unless otherwise exempted by law.
• Following the season opener, trout fishing at these two ponds is permitted one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset, unless otherwise restricted by area rules.
• The daily possession limit is six trout.
• Both ponds are closed to all fishing for 14 days prior to the season opening, with this restriction now in effect.

Each pond will initially be stocked with about 300 pounds of rainbow trout, average size 11 to 13 inches. Some “trophy-sized” rainbows – weighing 2 pounds or more and measuring well over 14 inches – also will be included. Plans call for stocking to be repeated Thursday, March 14, with the same amount of fish in each pond.