Official Site of The State of New Jersey
SALTWATER
SEASONS &
REGULATIONS
MARINE REGULATIONS
Below are regulations you will need to know for your recreational and commercial saltwater activities.
Fish and Wildlife strives to manage New Jersey’s natural resources for all to share. These resources are managed and conserved through regulations to ensure current and future generations can access and enjoy them for years to come. Please use the information on this page to help do your part to conserve New Jersey’s fish and wildlife by following state and federal regulations.
Recreational Regulations
- 2024 New Jersey Marine Digest
- 2024 “Attention Anglers” Recreational Marine Fishing Regulations Summary Sheet
- 2024 Recreational Seasons Summary Chart
- Striped Bass Circle Hook Requirement
- NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Information
- Non-commercial Crab Pot and Trot Line Regulations
- Crab Pot Excluder Diagram Information
- Recreational Licenses and Permits
NOAA Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Please be aware that fishing for sharks is regulated by the State and federal regulations. Federal regulations prohibit targeting any prohibited species and anglers must release any prohibited shark immediately, without removing it from the water and in a manner that maximizes its chances of survival. For example, Sand Tiger Sharks are a prohibited species, therefore posing for pictures on the beach with this species or any other species on the prohibited list is a violation of federal regulations. Additional information on the regulations regarding these species can be found at:
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species
NOTE: Many marine species are managed on a coast-wide basis with seasons and limits required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Those regulations must then be approved by our state’s Marine Fisheries Council. The Council usually addresses these issues at their March meeting with the management measures becoming effective in mid- to late April or early May. The Marine Digest is published in May. Regulations remain in effect until changed.
For information on saltwater regulations changes, check this page and our homepage for news releases, and subscribe to the NJ Marine Fishing E-mail List for automatic notification. Marine Fisheries staff can be contacted at 609-748-2020.
New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) Title 7
State regulations pertaining to fishing and shellfish harvesting can be found in the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) Title 7, along with many other categories. Please use the list below to find popular topics and categories in their respective Chapters and Subchapters.
N.J.A.C. Title 7. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 25. DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RULES
Subchapter 7. Miscellaneous Shellfish Rules
Subchapter 8. Clam Licenses
Subchapter 9. Hard Clam Size Limits
Subchapter 12. Surf Clams
Subchapter 13. Leased Tidal Grounds
Subchapter 14. Crab and Lobster Management
Subchapter 15. Clam Relay Program
Subchapter 18. Marine Fisheries
Subchapter 18A. Fisheries Closures and Advisories for
Striped Bass, American Eel, Bluefish, White Perch and
White Catfish Taken from the Northeast Region of the
State
Subchapter 19. Atlantic Coast Harvest Season
Subchapter 22. Menhaden
Subchapter 24. Leasing of Atlantic Coast Bottom for
Aquaculture
Chapter 25A. OYSTERS
Subchapter 1. Oyster Management
Subchapter 2. Direct Market Harvest Season
Subchapter 3. Oyster Transplant Season
