New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife

Our Mission

To protect and manage the state’s fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term ­biological, recreational and economic value for all New Jerseyans.

Our Goals

• To maintain New Jersey’s rich variety of fish and wildlife species at stable, healthy levels and to protect and enhance the many habitats on which they depend.
• To educate New Jerseyans on the values and needs of our fish and wildlife and to foster a positive human/wildlife co-existence.
• To maximize the recreational and commercial use of New Jersey’s fish and wildlife for both present and future generations.

Tips for Releasing Fish Unharmed

Tackle Recommendations

• Use barbless hooks or bend barbs down.
• Use non-stainless steel hooks. If gut-hooked, leave the hook in the fish and cut the line as close to the hook as possible. The hook will rust away.
• Replace treble hooks on artificial lures with single hooks.
• Use appropriate tackle suited to the size of the fish.
• Do not fight the fish to exhaustion. Land fish quickly, except when retrieving from depths of 40-feet or more.
• If retrieving fish from greater depths, minimize the effect of barotrauma, which occurs when gases expand faster than they can diffuse due to decreasing pressure during ascent through the water column. For more information about barotrauma and how to safely release fish, visit NOAA’s catch-and-release best practices page.

Fish Handling Best Practices

• Keep the fish in the water when de-hooking or use a rubber or knotless landing net. Carefully remove hooks with a dehooker or needle-nose pliers.
• Use wet hands or gloves to minimize loss of fish’s protective layer. Avoid handling fish with dry hands.
• Minimize physical injury. Avoid dragging fish across dry sand or rocks. Do not allow fish to flop around on deck.
• Hold fish horizontally with support. Do not touch gills or eyes.
• Return the fish to the water as soon as possible. Minimize time spent taking pictures.
• When reviving fish, move fish headfirst into the current so water flows through the mouth and over the gills.

Operation Game Thief

Report Abuse of our Outdoor Heritage!

1-855-OGT-TIPS — 24 Hours a Day, Seven Days a Week

The person who poaches, pollutes habitat and abuses public land tarnishes the image of sportsmen and robs us of our fish and wildlife, as well as tax and license dollars. You can make a difference.

Call OGT to report:

• Negligent use of firearms
• Over the limits for game and fish
• Commercial exploitation of fish and wildlife
• Pollution of habitat, dumping on state land
• Destruction of signs and state property
• Illegal killing, taking or possession of any wildlife

It's Free. It's Confidential. You May Be Eligible for a Reward.

Funded by the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

Designed to encourage sportsmen to report poaching and wildlife crimes.

Mark Your Calendar for the 34th Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament!

May 18, 2025

Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park

Come celebrate the 34th year of the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament! Celebrating the Legacy of Frank Dara. Enjoy a great day of surf fishing with family and friends.

The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the "Governor's Award" and will have their name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park. Prizes are awarded to winners in a variety of age groups and fish species categories.

All funds raised by the tournament go toward improving beach access, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment, plus marine education and restoration projects.

The tournament is sponsored by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, NJDEP State Park Service, New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association and New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

For more information, visit the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament page on the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife website or email

Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations

For current federal waters regulations (3–200 nautical miles), refer to the following agencies:

• NOAA Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Information
• NOAA Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Permit Shop
• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
• South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Quick Reference for Popular Fish!

For New Jersey’s most popular recreational species, see the quick reference chart of open seasons and regulations.

DEP Action Line, 24 Hrs.

The Department has a toll-free telephone hotline number you can use to report environmental incidents, abuses, and complaints in New Jersey.

(877) WARN-DEP
(877) 927-6337

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

Beware!

New Jersey participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which means that a violator with repeat convictions of New Jersey marine fishing laws may face license suspensions in participating states.

Accessible Fishing Sites

For accessible fishing locations and resources for people with disabilities, view the NJ Fish & Wildlife accessible access list.

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.