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Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

New Jersey › Fishing › Saltwater Fishing › Marine Species Identification

Marine Species Identification

Herring

Alewife (a river herring)

Illustration of an Alewife, a type of river herring, showing key features: dorsal fin forward of midlength, deep body, no teeth on the roof of the mouth, and eye diameter greater than snout length.
Alewife (river herring) identification guide highlighting distinct features: forward-positioned dorsal fin, deep body, large eyes, and lack of teeth on the roof of the mouth—important traits for anglers and fisheries management in New Jersey waters.

American Shad

Illustration of an American Shad, the largest member of the herring family, showing features like a large mouth, upper jaw reaching rear edge of eye, and a possible line of spots along its side.
American Shad identification guide featuring key characteristics such as a large mouth, line of spots, and upper jaw near the eye—useful for anglers and biologists monitoring New Jersey's migratory fish species.

Blueback Herring (a river herring)

Illustration of a Blueback Herring, showing features such as a dorsal fin forward of midlength, no teeth on the roof of the mouth, and an eye diameter smaller than the snout length.
Blueback Herring identification guide highlighting key traits like a smaller eye diameter than snout length and forward-positioned dorsal fin—important for distinguishing this river herring species in New Jersey waters.

Atlantic Herring

Illustration of an Atlantic Herring showing key features including a dorsal fin at midlength, narrow body shape, and teeth on the roof of the mouth.
Atlantic Herring identification guide with defining traits like a midlength dorsal fin, narrow body, and teeth on the roof of the mouth—helpful for anglers and marine species monitoring along the Atlantic coast.

Gizzard Shad

Illustration of a Gizzard Shad showing a round snout that overhangs a closed mouth and a long, filamentous projection from the last ray of the dorsal fin.
Gizzard Shad identification guide featuring key traits like a rounded snout overhanging the mouth and a long filament extending from the dorsal fin—helpful for recognizing this common forage fish in New Jersey’s freshwater and estuarine systems.

Hickory Shad

Illustration of a Hickory Shad showing a distinctive lower jaw that extends well beyond the upper jaw when the mouth is closed.
Hickory Shad identification guide highlighting the species’ defining feature—a lower jaw that projects beyond the upper jaw when closed. This migratory fish is commonly found along the Atlantic coast and is important for recreational fishing in New Jersey.

Northern Kingfish

Illustration of a Northern Kingfish, featuring dark vertical bars along the body, a pointed snout, and long, high dorsal fins.
Northern Kingfish identification guide showing key features like prominent vertical stripes, a pointed snout, and elongated dorsal fins—commonly found in shallow coastal waters and a favorite among surf anglers in New Jersey.

Atlantic Bonito

Illustration of an Atlantic Bonito showing dark, diagonal stripes on the upper body, a streamlined shape, and a deeply forked tail.
Atlantic Bonito identification guide featuring distinctive diagonal stripes along the back, a torpedo-shaped body, and forked tail—an agile game fish found in offshore and nearshore New Jersey waters.

Oyster Toadfish

Illustration of an Oyster Toadfish with a broad, flat head, mottled green and brown body, and spiny fins—well-camouflaged for life on the seafloor.
Oyster Toadfish identification guide showing its camouflaged, flattened body and spiny fins. Known for its grunting sounds and bottom-dwelling habits, this fish is commonly found in coastal waters and bays along the New Jersey shoreline.

Atlantic Croaker

Illustration of an Atlantic Croaker with a silvery body, faint vertical stripes, and a slightly rounded tail—named for the croaking sound it produces.
Atlantic Croaker identification guide showing its silver body with subtle stripes and sloped head. This common coastal fish is known for its vocal "croaking" and is frequently caught by recreational anglers in New Jersey’s bays and estuaries.

Northern Puffer

Illustration of a Northern Puffer with a tapered body, small mouth, and dark vertical bars on a yellow-green back—known for its ability to inflate when threatened.
Northern Puffer identification guide showing its rounded body, dark vertical stripes, and small mouth. Commonly found in New Jersey’s coastal waters, this unique species is known for puffing up when threatened and is sometimes called “sugar toad” by anglers.

Spot

Illustration of a Spot fish, recognized by its silver body, slightly forked tail, and distinctive black spot behind the gill cover.
Spot fish identification guide featuring its hallmark black spot behind the gill, silvery body, and rounded shape. Common in estuaries and nearshore waters of New Jersey, Spot are popular among recreational anglers and often used as bait.

Northern Searobin

Illustration of a Northern Searobin with large pectoral fins, spiny head, and spotted tail—featuring reddish and brown markings and wing-like fins. Image Caption:
Northern Searobin identification guide showing its fan-like pectoral fins, armored head, and spotted tail. Known for its unusual appearance and ability to “walk” on the seafloor with modified fin rays, this species is common in sandy or muddy coastal waters of New Jersey.

Atlantic Mackerel

Illustration of an Atlantic Mackerel featuring an elongated, streamlined body with dark wavy stripes on a greenish-blue back and a forked tail.
Atlantic Mackerel identification guide showing its slender, torpedo-shaped body with bold, wavy stripes along the back. A fast-swimming, schooling fish found off the New Jersey coast, it’s popular for both recreational fishing and seafood markets.

White Perch

Illustration of a White Perch with a silvery body, arched back, and spiny dorsal fin—commonly found in brackish and freshwater habitats.
White Perch identification guide showing its silvery, deep-bodied shape and prominent dorsal fin. A popular catch in New Jersey’s rivers, bays, and estuaries, White Perch are often sought by recreational anglers for their abundance and mild flavor.

Alewife, American Shad, Blueback Herring and Hickory Shad illustrations ©Duane Raver; Atlantic Herring illustration ©Victor Young/NH. Fish and Game Department;
Gizzard Shad illustration courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ©2012.

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