Official Site of The State of New Jersey
A multitude of game fish can be found and caught in almost every waterbody in New Jersey. Most of the species listed below reproduce naturally in New Jersey’s waters, creating healthy populations for anglers to enjoy anywhere!
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass are a favorite among anglers due to their aggressive nature and willingness to bite a wide range of lures and baits. They also can survive and reproduce in most conditions found throughout the state, meaning that they almost always around for fishermen to catch, regardless of where they are fishing. Largemouth Bass can be caught using a variety of techniques, including (but not limited to) live minnows, live and soft plastic worms, spinners, jigs, top-water baits, and crankbaits.
Chain Pickerel
Chain Pickerel are a species that is native to New Jersey. They are an ambush predator, meaning that they like to sit and wait in a concealed location before lunging out and grabbing their prey as it swims by. Pickerel will often hide inside weed beds, under lily pads, and near downed trees. They are an aggressive feeder, and will often bite even when other species seem reluctant to. Baitfish imitation lures such as spinners, spinnerbaits, top-water baits, soft-plastic swimbaits, and crankbaits will all catch Pickerel consistently, but don’t overlook the effectiveness of fishing a live shiner underneath a bobber.
Sunfish
A variety of sunfish species (also known as panfish) inhabit the waters of New Jersey. Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds, and Redbreast Sunfish can all be found across the state. These species are a great target if you are looking for action and are great way to introduce people into fishing. Live worms, small spinners, and twister tails on jigheads are always top producing baits. In addition, targeting these fish using a fly rod and small flies can be a blast!
Crappie
Two different species of Crappie live in New Jersey waters: Black Crappie and White Crappie. Both are renown for being delicious to eat and for the fast action they can provide. Crappie will often live together in schools that can often be found around weed edges, tree stumps, and downed trees in the water. Try fishing a variety of baits underneath bobbers in order to suspend the bait above the bottom: live fathead minnows, crappie magnets, jigheads with twister-tails, and tiny tube jigs are all great choices. Small spinners and micro-crankbaits can also work great.
Bullheads/Channel Catfish
These fish species have “whiskers”, also known as barbels, that help the fish have a strong sense of smell to find food along the bottom. Baits with a lot of scent, including worms, shiners (live or dead), and cut-up chunks of fish (often referred to as cut bait) fished on the bottom are the preferred baits of choice for these fish.
Common Carp
Carp inhabit nearly every warmwater pond and river in the Garden State. They also grow to immense sizes, with fish over 10 pounds not uncommon! These fish are sure to test your tackle, so be sure to have heavier line (at least 8 pound test). Carp mostly feed on macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and aquatic plants. Generally, they are most often caught using bait. Popular and effective baits include corn, bread, worms, and pre-packaged carp bait. Look to cast your line in shallow coves or backeddies of rivers with little to no current, where carp can often be found feeding.
