State Size & Possession Limits
Regulations in red are new this year.
2023 New Jersey Recreational Fishing Seasons, Minimum Size and Possession Limits |
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Regulations remain in effect until changed. For the most current regulations, go to NJFishandWildlife.com or call the marine fish “listen-only” information line at |
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Open Season |
Minimum Length |
Harvest & Possession Limit |
Remarks |
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American Eel |
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No Closed Season |
9" |
25a |
a: Except 50 fish harvest/possession limit for party/charter boat employees. |
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Black Drum |
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No Closed Season |
16" |
3 |
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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. |
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July 1–Aug 31 |
12.5" |
1 |
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Oct 1–Oct 31 |
12.5" |
10 |
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Nov 1–Dec 31 |
12.5" |
15 |
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Bluefish |
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No Closed Season |
None |
5 fish per person while fishing from a party/charter vesselb |
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. More information at dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/bluefish4hire.pdf |
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Cobia |
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No Closed Season |
37" |
1 fish per vessel |
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Cod, Atlantic |
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January 1–May 31 and September 1–December 31 |
23" |
5 |
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Haddock |
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No Closed Season |
18" |
No Limit |
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Pollock |
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No Closed Season |
19" |
No Limit |
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Red Drum |
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No Closed Season |
18" to less than 27" |
1 |
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River Herring |
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No Open Season |
None |
0 |
The taking or possession of any river herring in New Jersey is prohibited. |
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Scup (Porgy) |
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Aug 1–Dec 31 |
10" |
30 |
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Shad |
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Delaware River & tributaries |
No Closed Season |
None |
6 (maximum of 2 American shad) |
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All other marine waters |
No Closed Season |
None |
6 (no American shad may be harvested or possessed) |
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Spanish Mackerel |
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No Closed Season |
14" |
10 |
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Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass |
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Delaware 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 for more information. |
Delaware River & tributaries |
March 1–Dec 31 |
28" - 31" |
1 |
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Atlantic Ocean |
No Closed Season |
28" - 31" |
1 |
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All other marine waters |
March 1–Dec 31 |
28" - 31" |
1 |
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3–200 nautical miles |
Prohibited |
X |
0 |
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Open Season |
Minimum Length |
Harvest & Possession Limit |
Remarks |
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Summer Flounder (Fluke) |
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Delaware Bay & tributariesc |
May 2–Sept 27 |
17" |
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. |
Island Beach State Park, shore fishingd |
May 2–Sept 27 |
16" |
2 |
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All waters except as above |
May 2–Sept 27 |
2 @ 17" to less than 18" and 1 @ 18" or greater |
3 |
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Tautog (Blackfish) |
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Jan 1–Feb 28 |
15" |
4 |
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April 1–April 30 |
15" |
4 |
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Aug 1–Nov 15 |
15" |
1 |
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Nov 16–Dec 31 |
15" |
5 |
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Weakfish |
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No Closed Season |
13" |
1 |
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Winter Flounder |
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March 1–Dec 31 |
12" |
2 |