Regulations › New Jersey New Jersey Saltwater Fishing Regulations (2026)
Recreational size limits, bag limits and seasons for 12 saltwater species in New Jersey, from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026. Where a species has several rules (by area or water), the table shows the first; open the species for all of them.
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Official New Jersey regulations · Saltwater fishing license
Inshore Species Size limit Bag limit Season Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass (3 rules) 1 fish at 28 inches to 31 inches 1 fish at 28 inches to 31 inches Open Mar 1 – Mar 31 and June 1 – Dec 31 Weakfish 13 inches 1 fish at 13 inches Jan 1 – Dec 31
Reef fish Species Size limit Bag limit Season Black Sea Bass 12.5 inches 10 fish at 12.5 inches May 15 – June 21; 1 fish at 12.5 inches June… 10 fish at 12.5 inches May 15 – June 21; 1 fish at 12.5 inches June… Scup 10" minimum 30 fish January 1 – June 30 September 1 – December 31 Tautog 15 inches 4 fish Jan 1 – Feb 28; 4 fish Apr 1 – Apr 30; 1 fish Aug 1 – Nov 15… 4 fish Jan 1 – Feb 28; 4 fish Apr 1 – Apr 30; 1 fish Aug 1 – Nov 15…
Offshore & pelagic Species Size limit Bag limit Season Bluefish — Private/Shore Angler – 5 fish; For-Hire Vessel – 7 fish Jan 1 – Dec 31 Cobia 43" Total Length Bag Limit: 1 fish per person Year-Round Shark — 1 fish per vessel —
Groundfish & flatfish
Crabs, lobster & shrimp Species Size limit Bag limit Season Blue Crab Peeler or Shedder – 3 inches; Soft – 3 ½ inches; Hard – 4 ½ inches Recreational Limit = One Bushel —
Clams, oysters & scallops Species Size limit Bag limit Season Hard Clam 1.5 inches Recreational Limit = 150 clams —
Can I Keep?