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State Size & Possession Limits

Regulations in red are new this year.

2025 New Jersey Recreational Fishing Seasons, Minimum Size and Possession Limits

Regulations remain in effect until changed. For the most current information, visit the NJ Fish & Wildlife website. Regulations in red are new this year. See Finfish Regulations for how to measure fish. Note: No species of fish with a minimum size limit listed below may be filleted or cleaned at sea. Party boats licensed to carry 15 or more passengers may apply for a permit to fillet these species. See also Summer Flounder.

Open Season

Minimum Length
(total length except sharks)

Harvest & Possession Limit
(per person unless noted)

Remarks

American Eel
Illustration of an American Eel with a long, slender, snake-like body and small pectoral fins, commonly found in freshwater and coastal waters.

No Closed Season

9"

25a

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

Black Drum
Illustration of a Black Drum fish with a high-arched back, blunt snout, and dark, vertical body shading—commonly found in coastal and estuarine waters.

No Closed Season

16"

3

Black Sea Bass
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May 17–June 19

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.

July 1–Aug 31

12.5"

1

Oct 1–Oct 31

12.5"

10

Nov 1–Dec 31

12.5"

15

Bluefish
Illustration of a Bluefish with a streamlined, silvery-blue body, forked tail, and strong jaw—common in Atlantic coastal waters.

No Closed Season

None

5 fish per person while fishing from a party/charter vesselb
3 fish per person for all other anglers

b: A vessel must have a valid federal party/charter permit and be captained by a properly credentialed operator with a valid U.S. Coast Guard endorsement. Learn more by reviewing the NJDEP Bluefish for Hire guidelines.

Cobia
Illustration of a Cobia with a long, dark brown body, broad head, and a distinct white stripe running along its sides—commonly found in warm coastal waters.

No Closed Season

43"

2 fish per vessel

Cod, Atlantic
Illustration of an Atlantic Cod with a speckled reddish-brown body, pale lateral line, and a small chin barbel—commonly found in cold North Atlantic waters.

Jan 1–May 31
and Sept 1–Dec 31

23"

5

Please check the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife marine regulations page for possible Atlantic cod regulation changes during 2025.

Haddock
Illustration of a Haddock with a dark upper body, silvery sides, distinctive black lateral line, and a small chin barbel—commonly found in cold North Atlantic waters.

No Closed Season

18"

No Limit

Pollock
Illustration of a Pollock with a slender, silvery body, dark back, white lateral line, and three dorsal fins—commonly found in cold North Atlantic waters.

No Closed Season

19"

No Limit

Red Drum
Illustration of a Red Drum with a copper-bronze body, reddish fins, and a distinctive black spot near the base of the tail—common in coastal and estuarine waters.

No Closed Season

18" to less than 27"

1

River Herring
Side-by-side illustration comparing a Blueback Herring and an Alewife, showing differences in body color and eye size—both are river herring species.

No Open Season

None

0

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

Scup (Porgy)
Illustration of a Scup, also known as Porgy, with a deep, flat body, spiny dorsal fin, and silver coloring with hints of pink and blue.

Jan 1–June 30
Sept 1–Dec 31

10"

30

Shad
Side-by-side illustration of an American Shad and a Hickory Shad, showing differences in body shape and jaw alignment—used for species identification.

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)

Spanish Mackerel
Illustration of a Spanish Mackerel with a slender, silvery body, greenish back, and distinct yellow spots along its sides—known for its speed and sharp teeth.

No Closed Season

14"

10

Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass
Illustration of a Striped Bass with a streamlined silver body and several dark horizontal stripes running from head to tail—commonly found in coastal and estuarine waters.

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 Bonus Program 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

Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Illustration of a Summer Flounder with both eyes on the left side of its flat, oval body and a dark mottled coloration with scattered white spots.

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.

Delaware Bay & tributariesc

May 4–Sept 25

17"

3

Island Beach State Park, shore fishingd

May 4–Sept 25

16"

2

Tautog (Blackfish)
Illustration of a Tautog, also known as blackfish, with a thick, oval-shaped body, dark mottled coloring, and pronounced jaw—adapted for rocky coastal habitats.

Jan 1–Feb 28

15"

4

April 1–April 30

15"

4

Aug 1–Nov 15

15"

1

Nov 16–Dec 31

15"

5

Weakfish
Illustration of a Weakfish with a slender, silver body, dark speckles along the back, and a slightly forked tail—commonly found in estuarine and coastal waters.

No Closed Season

13"

1

Winter Flounder
Illustration of a Winter Flounder with a flat, oval-shaped body, small mouth, and both eyes on the right side—features dark coloration with scattered reddish spots.

March 1–Dec 31

12"

2
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