New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Shad aggregate of 6; American shad restrictions apply within it.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Lower jaw juts past the upper; spring river runs. More on the hickory shad page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Hickory shad in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for hickory shad in New Jersey?
No size limit.
How many hickory shad can you keep in New Jersey?
6 combined shad. Counts toward the Shad (6 combined) aggregate.
When is hickory shad season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
What is the New Jersey record hickory shad?
2 lb 13 oz, Mantoloking (2011).
How current is this New Jersey hickory shad 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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