Striped Bass Bonus Program
The Striped Bass Bonus Program will continue in 2023, where anglers possessing a Bonus permit may keep a striper at 24 inches to less than 28 inches. The open season for this program is May 15 through December 31. Check website for updates at dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/striped-bass-bonus-program/
The current allocation from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is 215,912 pounds. Should New Jersey exceed this quota, any overage would be subtracted from the following
Application Process: Striped Bass Bonus Program permits are issued via mail only. Go to dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/striped-bass-bonus-program/ to apply and for regulation or program updates. The permit is non-transferable and valid for the current calendar year. Only one fish can be harvested per permit. Fishing logs must be kept and harvest reporting is mandatory.
Striped Bass Bonus Permit Harvest Reporting: The Striped Bass Bonus Permit must be securely attached to the fish through the mouth and gill immediately upon capture and prior to transportation. Harvest reporting is mandatory and must be reported online or by leaving a message at (609) 748-2074.
Fishing Logs: A log of striped bass fishing activity must be kept and submitted by January 15, 2024 in order to remain eligible for 2024.
Striped Bass Bonus Program Harvest 1996–2022 |
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Harvest Year |
# Fish Harvested |
Weight Harvested (lbs) |
Mean Length (inches) |
Mean Weight (lbs) |
% of Quota |
1996 |
233 |
4,050 |
35.7 |
17.4 |
1.8 |
1997 |
344 |
7,678 |
36.8 |
22.3 |
3.4 |
1998 |
473 |
11,149 |
37.2 |
23.6 |
5.0 |
1999 |
574 |
13,174 |
36.2 |
23.1 |
5.9 |
2000 |
2,488 |
42,794 |
33.7 |
17.2 |
19.0 |
2001 |
4,583 |
79,774 |
33.5 |
17.4 |
35.5 |
2002 |
4,855 |
82,050 |
33.0 |
16.9 |
36.5 |
2003 |
6,101 |
121,410 |
35.0 |
20.0 |
37.7 |
2004 |
4,602 |
81,870 |
32.8 |
17.8 |
25.4 |
2005 |
2,047 |
29,866 |
31.7 |
14.6 |
9.3 |
2006 |
1,127 |
23,656 |
34.9 |
21.0 |
7.4 |
2007* |
708 |
13,615 |
34.0 |
19.2 |
4.2 |
2008 |
367 |
7,345 |
34.3 |
20.0 |
2.3 |
2009 |
526 |
10,330 |
34.2 |
19.3 |
3.2 |
2010 |
728 |
12,833 |
34.5 |
17.6 |
4.0 |
2011 |
916 |
16,332 |
34.0 |
17.8 |
5.1 |
2012* |
325 |
6,285 |
34.3 |
19.3 |
2.0 |
2013 |
404 |
6,096 |
33.4 |
15.1 |
1.9 |
2014 |
178 |
3,653 |
35.0 |
20.5 |
1.1 |
2015* |
3,301 |
21,479 |
25.8 |
6.5 |
9.9 |
2016 |
3,686 |
24,963 |
25.9 |
6.8 |
11.6 |
2017 |
2,161 |
14,602 |
25.9 |
6.8 |
6.8 |
2018 |
1,101 |
6,786 |
25.3 |
6.2 |
3.1 |
2019 |
5,558 |
32,000 |
26.0 |
5.8 |
14.9 |
2020* |
5,746 |
36,865 |
25.5 |
6.4 |
17.1 |
2021 |
6,457 |
41,867 |
25.7 |
6.5 |
19.4 |
2022 |
5,742 |
36,807 |
25.8 |
6.4 |
17.0 |
* Significant administrative or regulatory changes to the SBBP took place. |