State Size & Possession Limits

Open Season

Minimum Length
(total length except sharks)

Harvest & Possession Limit
(per person unless noted)

Remarks

No Closed Season

9"

25^a

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

No Closed Season

16"

3

May 15–June 21

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. Please check the NOAA recreational fishing regulations by species page for current black sea bass regulations in federal waters during 2026.

June 22–Sept 22

12.5"

1

Sept 23–Oct 31

12.5"

10

Nov 1–Dec 31

12.5"

15

No Closed Season

None

7 fish per person while fishing from a party/charter vessel^b
5 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. Learn more about the program by reviewing the New Jersey Bluefish for Hire information sheet.

No Closed Season

43"

1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel

Jan 1–May 31
and Sept 1–Dec 31

23"

5

Please check the New Jersey Marine Fishing Seasons and Regulations page for possible Atlantic cod regulation changes during 2026.

No Closed Season

18"

No Limit

No Closed Season

19"

No Limit

Open Season

Minimum Length
(total length except sharks)

Harvest & Possession Limit
(per person unless noted)

Remarks

No Closed Season

18" to less than 27"

1

No Open Season

None

0

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

Jan 1–June 30
Sept 1–Dec 31

10"

30

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)

No Closed Season

14"

10

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 page 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

All waters except those mentioned below

May 4–Sept 25

18"

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.

Please check the NOAA recreational fishing regulations by species page for current summer flounder regulations in federal waters during 2026.

Delaware Bay & tributaries^c

May 4–Sept 25

17"

3

Island Beach State Park, shore fishing^d

May 4–Sept 25

16"

2

Jan 1–Feb 28

15"

4

April 1–April 30

15"

4

Aug 1–Nov 15

15"

1

Nov 16–Dec 31

15"

5

No Closed Season

13"

1

March 1–Dec 31

12"

2