Fishing License Boundary Lines
A fishing license is required to fish the fresh waters of the state. Locations listed below mark the change from salt water (license not required) to fresh water.
A fishing license is required at—and upstream of—these locations. Snapping turtles may only be taken from fresh waters of the state.
Atlantic County
Absecon Creek—Dam at Lower Atlantic City Reservoir
Great Egg Harbor River—Power lines at confluence of Gravelly Run
Middle River—None–all saline water
Mullica River—Line between Seventh Ave., Sweetwater, and ramp at Crowleys Landing
Nacote Creek—Port Republic dam
Patcong Creek—Bargaintown Lake dam
South River—Power lines immediately below Rt. 50
Tuckahoe River—First northerly tributary downstream of Rt. 49 bridge (McNeals Branch)
Bergen County
Hackensack River—Cedar Lane Bridge between Hackensack and Teaneck
Hudson River—None–all saline water
Passaic River—Required whole length
Burlington County
Assiscunk Creek—Required whole length
Bass River State—Fir Bridge on Stage Rd. in Bass River State Forest
Batsto River—Required whole length
Blacks Creek—Required whole length
Crosswicks Creek—Required whole length
Delaware River—Required whole length
Mullica River—Line between Seventh Ave.,
Sweetwater, and ramp at Crowleys Landing
Pennsauken Creek—Required whole length
Pompeston Creek—Required whole length
Rancocas Creek—Required whole length
Swedes Run—Required whole length
Wading River—Charcoal Landing, Chips Folly Campground
Camden County
License required on Delaware River and all other waters
Cape May County
Bidwells Creek—None–all saline water
Cedar Swamp Creek—None–all saline water
Dennis Creek—None–all saline water
East Creek—100 ft. below East Creek Lake dam, Eldora
Tuckahoe River—First northerly tributary downstream of lower Rt. 49 bridge (McNeals Br.)
West Creek—100 feet below West Creek Lake dam (Pickle Factory Pond)
Cumberland County
Andrews Creek—None–all saline water
Back Creek—None–all saline water
Cedar Creek—100 ft. downstream of Cedar Lake dam
Cohansey River—Rt. 49 bridge at Bridgeton
Dividing Creek—Rt. 555 bridge
Fishing Creek—None–all saline water
Fortescue Cr./Branch of Oranoken Cr.—None–
all saline water
Manumuskin Creek—Required whole length
Maurice River—Mouth of Manumuskin Creek near Port Elizabeth
Menantico Creek—Required whole length
Mill Creek—Tributary of Cohansey—Rt. 553 bridge, Fairton
Muskee Creek—S. side of bridge on Weathersby Rd.
Nantuxent Creek (Pages Run)—Rt. 553 north of
Frames Corner
Oranoken Creek—Whitecar Mill, North of Beaver dam
Oyster Creek—None–all saline water
Riggins Ditch—Rt. 47 bridge
Sow and Pigs Branch Nantuxent—None–all saline water
Stow Creek—Buckhorn Rd. bridge, Jericho
Straight Creek—None–all saline water
West Creek—100 ft. below West Creek Lake dam (Pickle Factory Pond)
Essex County
Passaic River—Erie Railroad bridge between Newark (at Verona Ave.) and Kearny
Peddie Ditch—None–all saline water
Gloucester County
Big Timber Creek—Required whole length
Delaware River—Commodore Barry bridge at Bridgeport
Mantua Creek—Required whole length
Oldmans Creek—Rt. 295 bridge
Raccoon Creek—Required whole length
Woodbury Creek—Required whole length
Hudson County
Hackensack River—None–all saline water
Hudson River—None–all saline water
Passaic River—Railroad bridge between Newark
(at Verona Ave.) and Kearny
Hunterdon County
License required on Delaware River and all other waters
Mercer County
License required on Delaware River and all other waters
Middlesex County
Cheesequake Creek—Dam at Cheesequake Lake, Cheesequake State Park
Lawrence Brook—N.J. Turnpike bridge, East Brunswick
Raritan River—Landing Lane bridge, New Brunswick
South River—Rt. 527 bridge (New Brunswick
Old Bridge Tpk.)
Woodbridge River—N.J. Turnpike bridge
Monmouth County
Black Creek—Spillway at Ocean Rd.
Branchport Creek—Mouth of Turtle Mill Brook
Deal Lake—Top of dam
Hockhockson (Pine) Brook—Garden State Parkway northbound bridge
Little Silver Creek—Little Silver Creek Brook
Manasquan River—Bennetts bridge, Manasquan Wildlife Management Area
Matawan Creek—Lefferts Lake dam
Oceanport Creek—Mouth of Husky Brook
Parkers Creek—Mouth of Parkers Creek Brook
Shark River—Remsen Mills Rd.
Swimming River—Swimming River Rd. bridge
Wreck Pond Creek—Rt. 71 bridge
Morris County
License required on all waters
Ocean County
Beaver Dam Creek—Rt. 88 bridge
Cedar Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
Cedar Run—Rt. 9 bridge
Dinner Point Creek—None–all saline water
Double Creek—None–all saline water
Forked River—All branches Rt. 9
Gunning River—None–all saline water
Jakes Branch—Above Atlantic City Blvd.
Jeffreys Creek—Ocean Gate Rd. to Ocean Gate
Kettle Creek—Rt. 549 bridge
Lake of the Lilies—Entire lake
Long Swamp Creek—Washington St. bridge, Toms River
Manahawkin Creek—Dams for Manahawkin WMA impoundments bayside
Metedeconk River—Rt. 70 bridge, Laurelton
Mill Creek—Mouth of Creek at lagoons in Beach Haven West
Mill Creek—Pine Beach–Ocean Gate Road
Oyster Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
Parkers Run—None–all saline water
Potters Creek—None–all saline water
Stouts Creek—None–all saline water
Stouts Creek S. Br.—Bayside East Parkway
Toms River—Garden State Parkway, northbound bridge
Tuckerton Creek—Dam at Rt. 9 bridge
Waretown Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
West Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
Passaic County
License required on all waters
Salem County
Alloway Creek—Rt. 540 bridge at Alloway
Black Ditch—None–all saline water
Delaware River—None–all saline water
Fishing Creek—None–all saline water
Hope Creek—None–all saline water
Mad Horse Creek—None–all saline water
Mill Creek—None–all saline water
Oldmans Creek—Rt. 295 southbound bridge
Salem River—Dupont dam near Cedar Crest Manor
Salem Canal—Dam at Deepwater
Stow Creek—Buckhorn Rd. bridge, Jericho
Straight Ditch—None–all saline water
Somerset County
License required on all waters
Sussex County
License required on Delaware River and all other waters
Union County
Elizabeth River—West Grand St., Elizabeth
Great Ditch—None–all saline water
Morses Creek—Old Morses Mill Rd.
Oyster Creek—None–all saline water
Peddie Ditch—None–all saline water
Piles Creek—None–all saline water
Rahway River—Lawrence St. (Rt. 514), Rahway
Warren County
License required on Delaware River and all other waters
Important Footnotes
- Absence of a river, creek, brook or other waterway from this list does not make it exempt from requiring a license to fish the fresh waters.
- Names of waters conform to those given on the United States Geological Survey 7.5 Minute Topographic Series Maps.
Regulations for use of wildlife management areas (WMAs) are established by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife with penalties of not less than $50 nor more than $1,500. A second violation of any WMA regulation will result in a five-year loss of all sporting licenses and privileges.
Information on these regulations and permit applications may be obtained by writing to NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, MC501-03, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420.
NJ Fish & Wildlife may revoke any permit or other authorization issued for violation or due cause.
The following are prohibited: camping, swimming, picnicking, airsoft or paintball gunning, geocaching, dumping, cutting or damaging vegetation, removing timber or firewood, alcoholic beverages and fires.
Restricted Hours
Wildlife Management Areas are closed from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. unless engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or trapping activities.
Special permission may be granted for NJ Fish & Wildlife approved activities.
Motor Vehicles
No person shall operate an unregistered vehicle on roads under the control of NJ Fish & Wildlife. All motor vehicles are restricted to established public roads and parking areas.
The use of dog sleds and dog carts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, trailbikes or snowmobiles is prohibited on all Wildlife Management Areas unless authorized by NJ Fish & Wildlife. E-bikes are allowed up to 750 watts. For mountain bike and paddleboard regulations, visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/wildlife-management-area-regulations/.
Target Practice
Only archery, shotgun, muzzleloading shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, air gun (.177 and .22) and modern rifle ≤ .30 caliber rifle shooting is allowed in designated hunter training ranges according to posted regulations at the training area. Other target practice is allowed only with permission from NJ Fish & Wildlife. For range information, visit our website: See Hunter Training Areas, dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/nj-division-of-fish-and-wildlife-hunter-training-areas.
Field Trials
Permits for use of wildlife management areas for running of field trials may be granted by NJ Fish & Wildlife. Apply for a permit by calling 609-259-2132.
Dog Training and Exercising
Dogs may be exercised or trained on any WMA from Sept. 1 to April 30. All dogs must be properly licensed. Select WMAs with designated dog training areas also permit dogs to be exercised or trained from May 1 to Aug. 31. For more information, see the New Jersey Hunting and Trapping Digest or call 609-984-0547.
Outboard Motors
Only electric motors are allowed on freshwater lakes and ponds managed by NJ Fish & Wildlife with the exception of Union Lake, where outboard motors not exceeding 10 hp. may be used. On Prospertown Lake, only manually operated boats and canoes are allowed.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is allowed on designated WMAs only by permit from NJ Fish & Wildlife. Apply online at https://nj.aspirafocus.com/internetsales. Horseback riding permits should be displayed on outer clothing while riding, not covered by a pack or other equipment. For more information on horseback riding permits, call 609-259-2132.
Fishing Tournament
Any club or organization that would like to use a New Jersey Wildlife Management Area for fishing tournaments must apply for and secure a permit from NJ Fish & Wildlife. No fee is required. Applications will be accepted in January at NJ Fish & Wildlife’s Central Region Office, One Eldridge Rd., Robbinsville, NJ 08691 at
Boat Ramp Maintenance Permit
Any vehicle used to transport or launch a vessel or water conveyance on the following WMAs must have affixed to the lower corner of the driver’s side rear window a boat ramp maintenance permit, or a photocopy of a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license. Be sure your Conservation ID number is clearly displayed; all other personal information may be blacked out for reasons of privacy.
The boat ramp maintenance permit fee is $15, available from a license agent or at NJ Fish & Wildlife’s Internet sales site, https://nj.aspirafocus.com/internetsales
Residents 70 years and older are not required to obtain a boat ramp maintenance permit and need no license, but must affix to their window proof of age, such as a former license displaying your date of birth.
WMAs requiring boat ramp maintenance permits:
- Round Valley Angler Access
- Assunpink
- Dennis Creek
- Tuckahoe
- Mad Horse Creek
- Union Lake
- Menantico Ponds
- Prospertown Lake
Accessible Fishing Sites
For people with disabilities, visit: dep.nj.gov/njfw/wp-content/uploads/njfw/wcaccesslist.pdf
An Accessible Fishing Sites list is available to assist anglers whose mobility is impaired.
All sites are wheelchair-accessible except for the Musconetcong River in Morris County, where vehicle access is to the shoreline.
