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Unofficial summary

NJ Saltwater Regulations

Size limits, bag limits and seasons by species.

Summary only; verify with NJDEP before you keep a fish. Copied from the eRegulations NJ State Size & Possession Limits page, last checked 2026-10-15. It may be out of date. Official source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife – Marine Seasons & Regulations. “check NJDEP” means we have not confirmed the value from the official source.
American eel, side view illustration, head facing left

American eel

Min size

  • 9"

Bag limit

  • 25
  • 50party/charter boat employees

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Black drum, side view illustration, head facing left

Black drum

Min size

  • 16"

Bag limit

  • 3

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Black sea bass, side view illustration, head facing left

Black sea bass

Min size

  • 12.5"

Bag limit

  • 10May 15–Jun 21
  • 1Jun 22–Sep 22
  • 10Sep 23–Oct 31
  • 15Nov 1–Dec 31

Season

  • May 15 – Dec 31

Measured snout to end of central tail, not including tail filament. Federal waters: see NOAA Fisheries.

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Bluefish, side view illustration, head facing left

Bluefish

Min size

  • None

Bag limit

  • 7party/charter vessel
  • 5all other anglers

Season

  • No closed season

Party/charter vessel must hold a valid federal party/charter permit with a credentialed USCG captain.

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Cobia, side view illustration, head facing left

Cobia

Min size

  • 43"

Bag limit

  • 1per person
  • 2per vessel

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Atlantic cod, side view illustration, head facing left

Atlantic cod

Min size

  • 23"

Bag limit

  • 5

Season

  • Jan 1 – May 31
  • Sep 1 – Dec 31

Check NJDEP for possible 2026 changes.

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Haddock, side view illustration, head facing left

Haddock

Min size

  • 18"

Bag limit

  • No limit

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Pollock, side view illustration, head facing left

Pollock

Min size

  • 19"

Bag limit

  • No limit

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Red drum, side view illustration, head facing left

Red drum

Min size

  • 18" to <27"

Bag limit

  • 1

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

River herring, side view illustration, head facing left

River herring

Min size

  • None

Bag limit

  • 0

Season

  • No open season

Taking or possession of any river herring in NJ is prohibited.

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Scup (porgy), side view illustration, head facing left

Scup (porgy)

Min size

  • 10"

Bag limit

  • 30

Season

  • Jan 1 – Jun 30
  • Sep 1 – Dec 31

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Shad, side view illustration, head facing left

Shad

Min size

  • None

Bag limit

  • 6Delaware River & tribs (max 2 American shad)
  • 6all other marine waters (no American shad)

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Spanish mackerel, side view illustration, head facing left

Spanish mackerel

Min size

  • 14"

Bag limit

  • 10

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Striped bass / hybrid, side view illustration, head facing left

Striped bass / hybrid

Min size

  • 28"–31"

Bag limit

  • 1

Season

  • No closed seasonAtlantic Ocean 0–3 nm
  • Mar 1–31 & Jun 1–Dec 31Delaware River below Calhoun St. Bridge
  • Mar 1–Dec 31Delaware River above Calhoun St. Bridge
  • Mar 1–Dec 31all other marine waters
  • Prohibitedfederal waters 3–200 nm

Bonus Program: 1 fish per permit 24" to <28", May 15–Dec 31. No gaffing. Non-offset circle hooks required with bait. Hook and line or spear only. Sale prohibited.

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Summer flounder (fluke), side view illustration, head facing left

Summer flounder (fluke)

Min size

  • 18"most waters
  • 17"Delaware Bay & tribs
  • 16"Island Beach SP, shore

Bag limit

  • 3most waters & Delaware Bay
  • 2Island Beach SP, shore

Season

  • May 4 – Sep 25

May fillet one legal fish from daily limit for bait; keep rack intact. Federal waters: see NOAA Fisheries.

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Tautog (blackfish), side view illustration, head facing left

Tautog (blackfish)

Min size

  • 15"

Bag limit

  • 4Jan 1–Feb 28
  • 4Apr 1–30
  • 1Aug 1–Nov 15
  • 5Nov 16–Dec 31

Season

  • Jan 1 – Feb 28
  • Apr 1 – 30
  • Aug 1 – Nov 15
  • Nov 16 – Dec 31

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Weakfish, side view illustration, head facing left

Weakfish

Min size

  • 13"

Bag limit

  • 1

Season

  • No closed season

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Winter flounder, side view illustration, head facing left

Winter flounder

Min size

  • 12"

Bag limit

  • 2

Season

  • Mar 1 – Dec 31

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Kingfish, side view illustration, head facing left

Kingfish

Min size

  • check NJDEP

Bag limit

  • check NJDEP

Season

  • check NJDEP

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

Bluefin tuna (federal HMS), side view illustration, head facing left

Bluefin tuna (federal HMS)

Min size

  • check NJDEP

Bag limit

  • check NJDEP

Season

  • check NJDEP

Source · Last checked 2026-10-15

NJ Saltwater Fishing Regulations (Size, Bag, Season) | AnyBites?