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New Jersey

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

State Size & Possession Limits

Regulations in red are new this year.

2023 New Jersey Recreational Fishing Seasons, Minimum Size and Possession Limits

Regulations remain in effect until changed. For the most current regulations, go to NJFishandWildlife.com or call the marine fish “listen-only” information line at (609) 292-2083. Regulations in red are new this year. See Finfish Regulations for how to measure fish. Note: No species of fish with a minimum size limit listed below may be filleted or cleaned at sea. Party boats licensed to carry 15 or more passengers may apply for a permit to fillet these species. See also Summer Flounder.

Open Season

Minimum Length
(total length except sharks)

Harvest & Possession Limit
(per person unless noted)

Remarks

American Eel

Black Drum

No Closed Season

9"

25a

a: Except 50 fish harvest/possession limit for party/charter boat employees.

Black Drum

Black Drum

No Closed Season

16"

3

Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass

May 17–June 19

12.5"

10

Black sea bass are measured along the midline from the snout to the end of the central portion of the tail, not to include the tail filament.

July 1–Aug 31

12.5"

1

Oct 1–Oct 31

12.5"

10

Nov 1–Dec 31

12.5"

15

Bluefish

Bluefish (Snapper)

No Closed Season

None

5 fish per person while fishing from a party/charter vesselb
3 fish per person for all other anglers

b: vessel must have a valid federal party/charter permit and be captained by a properly credentialed operator with a valid US Coast Guard endorsement. More information at dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/bluefish4hire.pdf

Cobia

Cobia

No Closed Season

37"

1 fish per vessel

Cod, Atlantic

Atlantic Cod

January 1–May 31 and September 1–December 31

23"

5


Haddock

Atlantic Cod

No Closed Season

18"

No Limit

Pollock

Atlantic Cod

No Closed Season

19"

No Limit

Red Drum

Red Drum

No Closed Season

18" to less than 27"

1

River Herring

No Open Season

None

0

The taking or possession of any river herring in New Jersey is prohibited.

Scup (Porgy)

Scup (Porgy)

Aug 1–Dec 31

10"

30

Shad

Delaware River & tributaries

No Closed Season

None

6 (maximum of 2 American shad)

All other marine waters

No Closed Season

None

6 (no American shad may be harvested or possessed)

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

No Closed Season

14"

10

Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Delaware River & tributaries
(Calhoun St. Bridge to Salem River & tributaries)

March 1–March 31 and June 1–Dec 31

28" - 31"

1

No person may take, attempt to take, or have in possession any striped bass from closed waters. Anglers participating in the Striped Bass Bonus Program may harvest one striped bass per permit at 24" to less than 28" in length from May 15 to December 31. It is illegal to take, attempt to take, catch or kill any striped bass from or in any marine waters of this state, by means of a net of any description, or by any methods other than angling with a hook and line or by spear fishing. Sale of striped bass in New Jersey is prohibited.

Note: It is illegal to gaff or attempt to gaff, any striped bass at any time. Non-offset circle hooks are required when fishing with bait. See Striped Bass Bonus Program for more information.

Delaware River & tributaries
(upstream of Calhoun St. Bridge)

March 1–Dec 31

28" - 31"

1

Atlantic Ocean
(0–3 nautical miles from shore)

No Closed Season

28" - 31"

1

All other marine waters

March 1–Dec 31

28" - 31"

1

3–200 nautical miles
(Federal waters)

Prohibited

X

0

Open Season

Minimum Length
(total length except sharks)

Harvest & Possession Limit
(per person unless noted)

Remarks

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Delaware Bay & tributariesc

May 2–Sept 27

17"

3

c: Applies to Delaware Bay and tributaries, west of COLREGS line delineating Delaware Bay from Atlantic Ocean but does not include waters of Cape May Canal east of Cape May Ferry Terminal. Transport of summer flounder caught in Delaware Bay, greater than or equal to 17" but less than 18", may occur in waters east of Cape May Ferry Terminal to George Redding Bridge (Route 47) located at entrance of Wildwood provided all fishing gear aboard the vessel is stowed with rigs removed; vessel may not stop to fish for any species.

d: Shore-based fishing is defined as fishing from a pier, jetty, beach, bank or marsh.
Note: Anglers may fillet one legal-sized summer flounder from their daily possession limit catch for use as bait. This carcass, commonly known as the rack, shall be kept intact so it can be measured for compliance with the minimum size limit. Anglers shall not be in possession of any parts of any summer flounder caught on a previous fishing trip; only fish just caught on the current outing.

Island Beach State Park, shore fishingd

May 2–Sept 27

16"

2

All waters except as above

May 2–Sept 27

2 @ 17" to less than 18" and 1 @ 18" or greater

3

Tautog (Blackfish)

Tautog (Blackfish)

Jan 1–Feb 28

15"

4

April 1–April 30

15"

4

Aug 1–Nov 15

15"

1

Nov 16–Dec 31

15"

5

Weakfish

Weakfish

No Closed Season

13"

1

Winter Flounder

Winter Flounder

March 1–Dec 31

12"

2