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Rules by state

New Jersey
saltwater rules

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

64 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 15 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.

  1. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  2. 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

  3. American Eel

    Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

    Size
    9 in min
    Bag
    25
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  4. American Shad

    Alosa sapidissima

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    0 in all marine waters except Delaware River & tributaries (max 2, within 6-shad aggregate)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Zero American shad may be harvested or possessed outside the Delaware River & tributaries, where up to 2 count toward the 6-fish combined shad limit.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  5. 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
    Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026
    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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked · likely

  10. 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

  11. Black Drum

    Drum Pogonias cromis

    Size
    16 in min
    Bag
    3
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  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

    Measured snout to end of central tail, excluding the tail filament; current window (through Sep 22) is 1 fish.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  13. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked · likely

  14. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  15. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  16. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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.

    NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked

  20. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  21. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked · likely

  22. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  23. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  24. 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 · likely

  25. 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

  26. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  27. Dusky Shark

    Carcharhinus obscurus

    Size
    Prohibited
    Bag
    0
    Season
    No open season

    Put it back

    Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  28. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked · likely

  29. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  30. 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.

    NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked

  31. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  32. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  33. Haddock

    Melanogrammus aeglefinus

    Size
    18 in min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  34. 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

  35. King Mackerel

    King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

    Size
    23 in min
    Bag
    3
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  36. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  37. 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

  38. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  39. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  40. Pollock

    Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

    Size
    19 in min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  41. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked · likely

  42. 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

  43. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  44. Sand Tiger

    Carcharias taurus

    Size
    Prohibited
    Bag
    0
    Season
    No open season

    Put it back

    Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  45. Sandbar Shark

    Carcharhinus plumbeus

    Size
    Prohibited
    Bag
    0
    Season
    No open season

    Put it back

    Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  46. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  47. 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

  48. Shortfin Mako

    Isurus oxyrinchus

    Size
    Prohibited
    Bag
    0
    Season
    No open season

    Put it back

    Retention prohibited; release immediately.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  49. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  50. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  51. 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

  52. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  53. Spanish Mackerel

    Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

    Size
    14 in min
    Bag
    10
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  54. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  55. 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

  56. Striped Bass

    Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

    Size
    28 to less than 31 in slot
    Bag
    1
    Season
    Most marine waters Mar 1-Dec 31; Atlantic Ocean 0-3 mi open year-round; federal waters (3-200 mi) closed

    Open

    Most marine waters Mar 1-Dec 31; Atlantic Ocean 0-3 mi open year-round; federal waters closed. Bonus Program permit allows 1 extra fish 24 to <28 in May 15-Dec 31; circle hooks required with bait.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  57. Summer Flounder

    Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

    Size
    18 in min
    Bag
    3
    Season
    May 4 - Sep 25

    Open

    Delaware Bay & tribs 3 fish at 17 in; Island Beach State Park shore anglers 2 fish at 16 in.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  58. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  59. 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

  60. 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.

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  61. Weakfish

    Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

    Size
    13 in min
    Bag
    1
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NJ DEP 2026 · checked

  62. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  63. 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

  64. 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 · likely

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 2026-09-07

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.
Register with New Jersey's free saltwater registry

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

How current are these New Jersey rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 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.

Checked against 8 official pages