Tackle More Fishing
NJ FISHING REGULATIONS
2026 season dates, size limits, and bag limits for New Jersey freshwater and saltwater species.
Always verify regulations before fishing. Rules change annually. This page reflects 2026 NJ regulations as a reference guide only. Confirm current rules at njfishandwildlife.com before every trip.
All Species
16 species listed · 2026 NJ Regulations
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass
Season
Year-round (catch & release Jan 1 – Jun 14)
Min Size
12 inches
Bag Limit
5 per day combined
Slot limit may apply on specific waters. Check lake-specific rules.
Trout (Stocked)
Season
Apr 5 – Oct 31 (Stocked Trout Waters)
Min Size
7 inches
Bag Limit
6 per day
Trout stamp required in addition to fishing license. Wild trout waters have separate rules.
Chain Pickerel
Season
Year-round
Min Size
15 inches
Bag Limit
10 per day
No size or bag limit on some designated waters. Verify before fishing.
Yellow Perch
Season
Year-round
Min Size
None
Bag Limit
25 per day
One of the most liberal bag limits in NJ freshwater. Great table fare.
Catfish (Channel & Flathead)
Season
Year-round
Min Size
12 inches
Bag Limit
10 per day combined
Blue catfish have no size or bag limit. Noodling is prohibited in NJ.
Walleye
Season
Mar 15 – Dec 31
Min Size
15 inches
Bag Limit
6 per day
Closed Jan 1 – Mar 14 on most NJ waters. Sauger and saugeye count toward combined limit.
Tiger Muskie
Season
Jun 15 – Mar 14
Min Size
36 inches
Bag Limit
1 per day
Stocked in select NJ lakes. Closed Mar 15 – Jun 14. Catch & release strongly encouraged.
Crappie (Black & White)
Season
Year-round
Min Size
9 inches
Bag Limit
25 per day combined
Combined limit for both species. No closed season on most NJ waters.
Striped Bass
Season
Apr 15 – Dec 31
Min Size
28 inches (one fish 28–31" slot)
Bag Limit
1 per day (slot fish only)
Mandatory circle hooks when using bait. NJ Bonus Program available. Federal HMS permit required for charter/party boats.
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Season
May 23 – Sep 28
Min Size
17 inches
Bag Limit
3 per day
One of the most popular NJ inshore targets. Measure carefully — 17" minimum is strictly enforced.
Bluefish
Season
Year-round
Min Size
None
Bag Limit
3 per day
Bag limit reduced from 10 to 3 in recent years due to stock concerns. No size minimum.
Black Sea Bass
Season
May 19 – Jun 22 & Jul 21 – Dec 31
Min Size
13 inches
Bag Limit
15 per day (May–Jun), 10 per day (Jul–Dec)
Split season with different bag limits. Barotrauma venting tool required on all vessels.
Weakfish (Tiderunner)
Season
Year-round
Min Size
13 inches
Bag Limit
1 per day
Severely restricted due to stock decline. One-fish bag limit in effect. Handle with care and consider voluntary release.
Tautog (Blackfish)
Season
Apr 1 – May 31 & Oct 1 – Dec 7
Min Size
16 inches
Bag Limit
3 per day (spring), 5 per day (fall)
Closed Jun 1 – Sep 30 and Dec 8 – Mar 31. Highly structure-oriented species — target wrecks and rocky reefs.
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)
Season
Year-round (offshore)
Min Size
20 inches (fork length)
Bag Limit
10 per person per day
Federal waters species. HMS Angling permit required. One of the most targeted offshore species in NJ summer.
Yellowfin & Bluefin Tuna
Season
Year-round (federal waters)
Min Size
Bluefin: 27" (school), 73" (large school)
Bag Limit
Varies by category — see HMS regulations
Federal HMS Angling permit required. Bluefin quotas and categories change annually. Always verify current NOAA HMS rules before offshore trips.
Licensing
NJ FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Freshwater License
Required for all anglers 16+ fishing any freshwater body in NJ. Annual, 7-day, and 1-day licenses available. Trout stamp required separately for stocked trout waters.
Saltwater Registry
Free registration required for all saltwater anglers 16+ fishing NJ coastal waters. Register at njfishandwildlife.com. Separate from freshwater license.
Federal HMS Permit
Required for targeting highly migratory species (tuna, billfish, swordfish, sharks) in federal waters. HMS Angling Permit available from NOAA Fisheries.
Official Sources