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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.