New Jersey Fishing Regulations

New Jersey Fishing Regulations

Seth Katz caught a 27′ Cobia on Mike Yager’s boat off the stink house back in the summer of 2022.

New Jersey fishing regulations from NJ Fish and Wildlife are now published.

Regulations are subject to change each year depending on research on trends of each species. Knowing the regulations for fishing is important for the health and stock of our fishery in Great Bay and New Jersey as whole.

Prime example: Seth’s 27″ Cobia was a toss back because it was under sized.

Please be sure to check each season to keep up to date before going fishing.

General rule of thumb: When in doubt, toss it back! Violators to these regulations are subject to pay penalties and fines.

Fishing Regulations for Great Bay

Please keep in mind Seabass and Tog’s fishing regulations change frequently throughout the year.

Always double check before heading out.

 

 

 

Fish Species Minimum Length
Bluefish

 

No Minimum Length

 

3 Fish Limit

Jan 1 – Dec 31

Weakfish

 

1 fish limit.

 

13″

Jan 1 – Dec 31

Black Sea Bass

 

13 inches

 

Open: May 17 – Jun. 19

15 fish limit per person

**Closed June 20 – June 30**

Open: Jul. 1 – Aug. 31

2 fish limit per person

Open: Oct. 7 – Oct. 26

10 fish limit per person

**Closed Oct. 27 – Oct. 31**

Open: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31

15 fish limit per person

Summer Flounder

 

1 fish at 18 inches or greater

and

2 fish 17″ or less than 18″

Open Season: May 2 – Sept. 27

Winter Flounder

 

2 fish limit

 

12″

March 23 – May 21

Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass

 

1 slot fish limit per person

Slot: 28″ – 38″
Mar 1-31 & June 1 – Dec 31

(Del River & Tributaries)

No Closed Season

(Atlantic Ocean 0-3 miles from shore)

Greater than 3 miles from shore – Harvest & Possession Prohibited

All other marine waters:

Mar 1 – Dec 31

Tautog

 

15″ 

Open: Jan 1 – Feb 28

4 fish limit per person

Open: April 1 – April 30

4 fish limit per person

Open: Aug 1 – Nov 15

1 fish limit per person

Open: Nov 16 – Dec 31

5 fish limit per person

 

 

Fishing Regulations for Other Species

Below is more information relating to sharks, crustaceans, and other species that are known to pop up in Great Bay and wrecks off the coast of Little Egg, Atlantic City, and LBI.

Remember: You never know what you might catch out here in Great Bay!

 

 

 

Other Species Posession Limit
Shark (not including dogfish) See current njfishandwildlife.com for regulatory requirements
Blue Crab Peeler or Shedder – 3″

 

Soft – 3 1/2″

Hard – 4 1/2″

Recreational Limit – One Bushel

Crab pot/Trot line Seasons:

Delaware Bay and tributaries

Apr. 6th – Dec. 4th

All other waters

No closed season

Hard Clam Recreational limit: 150 clams; no harvest on Sunday.

 

License required.

American Eel 25 fish limit

 

6″

Black Drum 3 fish limit

 

16″

Cobia 1 fish limit

 

37″

Cod no limit

 

21″

Haddock no limit.

 

21″

King Mackerel 3 fish limit

 

23″

Pollock no limit

 

19″

Red Drum 1 fish limit

 

18″ but not greater than 27″

Scup (Porgy) 50 fish limit

 

10″

Jan. 1 – Feb. 28

July 1 – Dec. 31

Shad Max 3 fish

 

6″ 

Spanish Mackerel 10 fish limit

 

14″

Lobster 6 fish limit

 

3 3/8″

 

 

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