New Jersey
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in New Jersey?

New Jersey has no saltwater fishing license, but anglers 16 and older must be enrolled in the free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program before fishing.

Q: How far out do New Jersey state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line New Jersey Fish and Wildlife sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where New Jersey has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for New Jersey?

New Jersey sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. Species not listed in the NJ Marine Digest have no size, possession, or season limits; free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry required.

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these New Jersey rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Oct 28, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife sets the rules inside New Jersey’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: New York · Delaware

66 species with a rule on file, checked Oct 28, 2026. 17 of them carry a federal-waters rule because New Jersey lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Alewife

River herring, Buckie Alosa pseudoharengus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Taking or possession of any river herring in New Jersey is prohibited.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
American Eel

Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

Size
9 in min

Bag
25

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size
No size limit

Bag
Delaware River only: 2 · elsewhere none

Season
Delaware River only

Check

American shad may be kept only in the Delaware River and its tributaries (6 shad combined, at most 2 American). Everywhere else in New Jersey: no harvest or possession.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
2 per vessel per day through Dec 31, 2026 (only 1 of 47–<73") · 1 per vessel per day from Jan 1, 2027 (NOAA's default unless it announces a change)

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish. Trophy (73"+) quotas are set by area (Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, south of 39°18′ N, Gulf of America); all four are closed for 2026 and reopen Jan 1, 2027. In the Gulf of America no bluefin under 73" may be kept.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Butterfish

Dollarfish Peprilus triacanthus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Federally managed but no recreational size or possession limits.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Cod

Codfish Gadus morhua

Size
23 in min

Bag
5

Season
Jan 1 - May 31 and Sep 1 - Dec 31

Open

Closed Jun 1 - Aug 31; reopens Sep 1.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Atlantic Mackerel

Boston mackerel, Tinker (small) Scomber scombrus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)

Season
All year

Open

Mode-specific limits raised from 20 fish in 2026 under MSB Framework Adjustment 17 (NOAA species page updated Aug 2026).
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

No minimum size; state digest sources differ on quantity — federal rule is 1 per person per trip in addition to the vessel shark limit.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12 · likely
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Federally endangered; no take in New Jersey.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
27 in curved fork length min

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Black Drum

Drum Pogonias cromis

Size
16 in min

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Black Sea Bass

Sea bass Centropristis striata

Size
12.5" min

Bag
10 (May 15–Jun 21) · 1 (Jun 22–Sep 22) · 10 (Sep 23–Oct 31) · 15 (Nov 1–Dec 31)

Season
May 15 – Jun 21, Jun 22 – Sep 22, Sep 23 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31

Open

Bag changes through the year; 10 fish Sep 23 – Oct 31, 15 fish Nov 1 – Dec 31.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Readers differ on NJ state minimum; federal waters impose 54 in FL for blacknose — conservative reading shown.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12 · likely
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Aggregated large coastal group; circle hooks and fins-attached required.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
99" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Pelagic group; no closed season.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Blueback Herring

River herring Alosa aestivalis

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Taking or possession of any river herring in New Jersey is prohibited.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Bluefish

Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 (7 on for-hire vessels)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Limits raised for 2026-27 from the prior 3/5; no minimum size.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person (private); 5 (uninspected for-hire); 7 (inspected for-hire)

Season
May 15 - Nov 14

Open

Private boats need a Private Recreational Tilefish Permit north of the VA/NC border; rod-and-reel only, max 5 hooks per rod.
Gear: Free federal Private Recreational Tilefish Permit required before fishing for or possessing golden or blueline tilefish in federal waters north of the NC/VA line; Electronic trip report within 24 hours of returning to port for every trip that targeted or kept tilefish, even with no catch; Golden tilefish: rod and reel only, no more than five hooks per rod.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

No minimum size; state digest sources differ on quantity — federal rule is 1 per person per trip in addition to the vessel shark limit.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12 · likely
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Aggregated large coastal group.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Clearnose Skate

Brier skate Rostroraja eglanteria

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Clearnose, little, rosette, and winter skates open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28 · likely
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
43 in min

Bag
1 per person, 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Pelagic group; no closed season.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Readers differ on NJ state minimum; federal waters impose 54 in FL for finetooth — conservative reading shown.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12 · likely
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
8 per person per trip

Season
Open all year

Open

Private boats need a Private Recreational Tilefish Permit; rod-and-reel only, max 5 hooks per rod; eVTR within 24 hours.
Gear: Free federal Private Recreational Tilefish Permit required before fishing for or possessing golden or blueline tilefish in federal waters north of the NC/VA line; Electronic trip report within 24 hours of returning to port for every trip that targeted or kept tilefish, even with no catch; Golden tilefish: rod and reel only, no more than five hooks per rod.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
78 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Hammerhead group; 78 in fork-length minimum.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Size
18 in min

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Size
No size limit

Bag
6 combined shad

Season
Open year-round

Open

Shad aggregate of 6; American shad restrictions apply within it.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
23 in min

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Aggregated large coastal group.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Monkfish

Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
17 in whole (11 in tail)

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Minimum size 17 inches whole or 11 inches for tails; skin must remain attached for sizing.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Aggregated large coastal group.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Pollock

Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

Size
19 in min

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Pelagic group; no closed season.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12 · likely
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
18 to less than 27 in slot

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
63" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
78 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Hammerhead group; 78 in fork-length minimum.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

Size
10 in min

Bag
30

Season
Jan 1 - Jun 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31

Open

Closed Jul 1 - Aug 31; reopens Sep 1.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Retention prohibited; release immediately.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
Prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No open season

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Smoothhound sharks have no minimum size or possession limit in NJ.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
78 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Hammerhead group; 78 in fork-length minimum.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
14 in min

Bag
10

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Aggregated large coastal group.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

No limits for private anglers; party/charter vessels with federal permits must follow commercial rules.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
28 to under 31 in

Bag
1 per person

Season
Depends on where

Check

Atlantic Ocean (0–3 mi): open all year. Bays and tidal rivers: closed Jan 1–Feb 28. Delaware River from the Calhoun St. Bridge to the Salem River: also closed Apr 1–May 31. Federal waters: closed.
Gear: Non-offset (inline) circle hooks required when fishing for striped bass with bait (any marine or aquatic organism, live or dead, whole or part); an artificial lure with bait attached is exempt; a bass caught any other way goes back at once; No gaffing striped bass at any time; hook and line or spearfishing only.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
18 in min

Bag
3

Season
May 4 - Sep 25

Closed

Delaware Bay & tribs 3 fish at 17 in; Island Beach State Park shore anglers 2 fish at 16 in.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
47" LJFL min

Bag
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Tautog

Tautoga onitis

Size
15" min

Bag
4 (Jan 1–Feb 28) · 4 (Apr 1–Apr 30) · 1 (Aug 1–Nov 15) · 5 (Nov 16–Dec 31)

Season
Jan 1 – Feb 28, Apr 1 – Apr 30, Aug 1 – Nov 15, Nov 16 – Dec 31

Open

Closed Mar 1–31 and May 1–Jul 31; current window (through Nov 15) is 1 fish.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Aggregated large coastal group.
Gear: Hand line or rod and reel only, with non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks except with flies or artificial lures; Heads, tails and fins stay naturally attached until landed; no filleting at sea; release at once any shark not kept.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Weakfish

Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

Size
13 in min

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
66" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Winter Flounder

Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Size
12 in min

Bag
2

Season
Mar 1 - Dec 31

Open

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12
Winter Skate

Leucoraja ocellata

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28 · likely
Yellowfin Tuna

Ahi Thunnus albacares

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Jersey lists none of its own.

Size
27 in curved fork length min

Bag
3 per person per day; no more than 3 per person on board regardless of trip length

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-10-28

Every other species

Species not listed in the NJ Marine Digest have no size, possession, or season limits; free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry required.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

NJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-10-12

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

New Jersey has no saltwater fishing license, but anglers 16 and older must be enrolled in the free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program before fishing.
The Striped Bass Bonus Program allows one extra striped bass 24 to under 28 inches per permit each season (mid-May through December 31). Permits are applied for online; a bonus fish must be tagged immediately and reported within 24 hours, and the fishing log is due in January whether or not you fished.

Nearby waters: New York · Delaware · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about New Jersey

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in New Jersey?