New Jersey Fishing Regulations - 2010

Effective this year, before fishing in saltwater in New Jersey or elsewhere, most anglers must be registered in the National Saltwater Angler Registry managed by the Federal government. Information about that program, provided by NJ Fish and Wildlife is available through this link. For more information see the Federal Regulations pages here.

New Jersey state regulations are created in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Regulations are adminstered through the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Size, bag limits and open seasons are regulated. New Jersey regulations prohibit the cleaning or filleting at sea, of any fish having a minimum size limit.

The New Jersey Fishing Regulations, displayed in the New Jersey Fishing Poster are shown below.

Black Seabass

  • Size: 12.5 inches
  • Bag Limit: 25 fish
  • Season: May 29 - Sept. 6

Bluefish

  • Size: No Limit
  • Bag Limit: 15 fish
  • No Closed Season

Summer Flounder - Fluke

  • Size: 18 inches
  • Bag Limit: 6 fish
  • Season: May 29 - Sept 6

Winter Flounder

  • Size: 12 inches
  • Bag Limit: 2 fish
  • Season: March 23 - May 21

Striped Bass

  • Size: 28 inches
  • Bag Limit: 2 fish
  • Season: Delaware River Mar. 1 - Mar. 31 & June 1 - Dec. 31
  • Season: Atlantic 0-3 miles: no closed season.
  • Season: Atlantic >3 miles: no open season.
  • Season: All other marine waters: Mar. 1 - Dec. 31

Tautog

  • Size: 14 inches
  • Bag Limit: 4 fish Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
  • Bag Limit: 1 fish July 16 - Nov. 15
  • Bag Limit: 6 fish Nov. 16 - Dec. 31

Shark

  • Size: 54 inches total length
  • Bag Limit: 1 fish per vessel
  • Season: N/A - check Marine Digest

Weakfish

  • Size: 13 inches
  • Bag Limit: 1 fish
  • Season: Jan 1 - Dec 31

American Eel

  • Size: 6 inches
  • Bag Limit: 50 fish

Black Drum

  • Size: 16 inches
  • Bag Limit: 3

Cobia

  • Size: 37 inches
  • Bag Limit: 2

Cod

  • Size: 21 inches
  • Bag Limit: No Limit

Haddock

  • Size: 21 inches
  • Bag Limit: No Limit

King Mackerel

  • Size: 23 inches
  • Bag Limit: 3 fish

Pollock

  • Size: 19 inches
  • Bag Limit: No Limit

Red Drum

  • Size: Minimum 18 inches - Maximum 27 inches
  • Bag Limit: 1 fish

Scup (Porgy)

  • Size: 9 inches
  • Bag Limit: 50
  • Season: Jan. 1 - Feb. 28 & July 1 - Dec. 31

Shad

  • Size: No Limit
  • Bag Limit: 6 fish

Spanish Mackerel

  • Size: 14 inches
  • Bag Limit: 10 fish