New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed Jul 1 - Aug 31; reopens Sep 1.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Federal coastwide measures; state rules may differ inside 3 miles.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Small northern porgy; dusky fins, concave forehead. More on the scup page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for scup in New Jersey?
10 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many scup can you keep in New Jersey?
30.
When is scup season in New Jersey?
Jan 1 - Jun 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the New Jersey record scup?
5 lb 14 oz, Delaware Bay (1976).
How current is this New Jersey scup 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a scup in New Jersey and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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