New Jersey fishing regulations from NJ Fish and Wildlife are now published.
Regulations are subject to change each year depending on research on trends of each species. Knowing the regulations for fishing is important for the health and stock of our fishery in Great Bay and New Jersey as whole.
Prime example: Seth’s 27″ Cobia was a toss back because it was under sized.
Please be sure to check each season to keep up to date before going fishing.
General rule of thumb: When in doubt, toss it back! Violators to these regulations are subject to pay penalties and fines.
Please keep in mind Seabass and Tog’s fishing regulations change frequently throughout the year.
Always double check before heading out.
| Fish Species | Minimum Length |
|---|---|
| Bluefish
| No Minimum Length
3 Fish Limit Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Weakfish
| 1 fish limit.
13″ Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Black Sea Bass
| 13 inches
Open: May 17 – Jun. 19 15 fish limit per person **Closed June 20 – June 30** Open: Jul. 1 – Aug. 31 2 fish limit per person Open: Oct. 7 – Oct. 26 10 fish limit per person **Closed Oct. 27 – Oct. 31** Open: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31 15 fish limit per person |
| Summer Flounder
| 1 fish at 18 inches or greater and 2 fish 17″ or less than 18″ Open Season: May 2 – Sept. 27 |
| Winter Flounder
| 2 fish limit
12″ March 23 – May 21 |
| Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass
| 1 slot fish limit per person Slot: 28″ – 38″ (Del River & Tributaries) No Closed Season (Atlantic Ocean 0-3 miles from shore) Greater than 3 miles from shore – Harvest & Possession Prohibited All other marine waters: Mar 1 – Dec 31 |
| Tautog
| 15″ Open: Jan 1 – Feb 28 4 fish limit per person Open: April 1 – April 30 4 fish limit per person Open: Aug 1 – Nov 15 1 fish limit per person Open: Nov 16 – Dec 31 5 fish limit per person |
Below is more information relating to sharks, crustaceans, and other species that are known to pop up in Great Bay and wrecks off the coast of Little Egg, Atlantic City, and LBI.
Remember: You never know what you might catch out here in Great Bay!
| Other Species | Posession Limit |
|---|---|
| Shark (not including dogfish) | See current njfishandwildlife.com for regulatory requirements |
| Blue Crab | Peeler or Shedder – 3″
Soft – 3 1/2″ Hard – 4 1/2″ Recreational Limit – One Bushel Crab pot/Trot line Seasons: Delaware Bay and tributaries Apr. 6th – Dec. 4th All other waters No closed season |
| Hard Clam | Recreational limit: 150 clams; no harvest on Sunday.
License required. |
| American Eel | 25 fish limit
6″ |
| Black Drum | 3 fish limit
16″ |
| Cobia | 1 fish limit
37″ |
| Cod | no limit
21″ |
| Haddock | no limit.
21″ |
| King Mackerel | 3 fish limit
23″ |
| Pollock | no limit
19″ |
| Red Drum | 1 fish limit
18″ but not greater than 27″ |
| Scup (Porgy) | 50 fish limit
10″ Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 July 1 – Dec. 31 |
| Shad | Max 3 fish
6″ |
| Spanish Mackerel | 10 fish limit
14″ |
| Lobster | 6 fish limit
3 3/8″ |
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