New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed Jun 1 - Aug 31; reopens Sep 1.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
HaddockBlack lateral line and the thumbprint blotch. Tell them apart
PollockGreenish, faint line, pointed snout. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Blotchy brown-green with a PALE lateral line arching over the pectorals, a chin barbel, and a square tail. More on the Atlantic cod page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic cod in other states7 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic cod in New Jersey?
23 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many Atlantic cod can you keep in New Jersey?
5.
When is Atlantic cod season in New Jersey?
Jan 1 - May 31 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the New Jersey record Atlantic cod?
81 lb, Off Brielle (1967).
How current is this New Jersey Atlantic cod rule?
Source: NJ DEP 2026, last checked Sep 7, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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