NJ Saltwater Fish Regs

2011 Regs
Quick Ref. Sheet
(Revised 5/13/11)
(adobe .pdf file)
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Visit NJFGW Website for Additional Information

2012 NJ Minimum Size Possesion Limits & Seasons (More Changes Pending)


THESE ARE NOT the full 2012 regulations. 2011 regulations hold until the state officially publishes the new regulations. We will note all changes once we are notified.
Measure Fish  from tip of snout to tip of tail (except Black Sea Bass). Cleaning or filleting at sea of fish with a minimum size limit is prohibited.
See the Marine edition of the NJ Fish & Wildlife Digest or their website for exceptions.
Changes for this year 2012 are Red ink
Species Open Season Min. Total 
Length (inches)		 Possession Limit 
(per person/per day)
Summer Flounder
(Fluke) 		May 7 to Sept. 25 18"
See also Fed Regs		 8
See also Fed Regs
Winter Flounder March 23 - May 21 12" 2
Bluefish No Closed Season No Minimum 15
Weakfish No Closed Season 13" 1
Black Sea Bass

 May 28 to Sept. 11
Nov 1 to Dec. 31 		12 ½"
(Excluding Tail Filaments)		 25
Black Drum **PENDING CHANGE 2012 16" 3>
Red Drum No Closed Season 18"-27" 1
Tautog
TAUTOG RECREATIONAL SEASONS AND LIMITS
DATES # FISH MINIMUM SIZE
Jan. 1 - Feb. 28 4 fish 15"
Mar. 1 - Mar. 31 CLOSED
Apr. 1 - Apr. 30 4 15"
May 1 - Jul. 26 CLOSED
Jul. 27 - Aug. 31 1 15"
Sept. 1 - Oct. 17 CLOSED
Oct. 18 - Nov. 15 1 15"
Nov. 16 - Dec. 31 4 15"
Spanish Mackerel No Closed Season 14" 10
King Mackerel No Closed Season 23" 3
Porgy (Scup) Jan. 1 - Feb. 28
July 1 - Dec. 31		 9" 50
Striped Bass or hybrid striped bass
Del.River & tributarites (Trenton Falls to Salem River & Tributaries) March 1 - March 31 & 
June 1 - Dec. 31
Del.River & tributarites (upstream of Trenton Falls) March 1 - Dec. 31
Atlantic Ocean (0-3miles from shore) No Closed Season
All other marine waters March 1 - Dec. 31
2 fish at equal to 28" or greater 2
Plus 1 striped bass at 28" or greater with Striped Bass Bonus Program Card
Permits can now be ordered online via the state's website:http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bonusbas.htm
Blue Claw Crabs - license required plus 1998 Requirements Crabpot/Trotline Seasons:
Delaware Bay and tributaries
Apr. 6 - Dec. 4

All other waters
Mar. 15 - Nov. 30		 Min. Total Length -see crab types below: 1 bushel
 
peeler or shedder 3"
soft 3 1/2"
hard 4 1/2"
* Unless using 
commercial style crab
pots. See Section on crab
pots in saltwater regulations booklet
Hard Clam - license required No Closed Season
No Harvest On Sunday
License Required		 1 1/2" 150 Clams
Atlantic Sturgeon, Shortnose Sturgeon No Open Season   0
American Eel 6" 50
Cod No Closed Season 21" No limit
Pollock No Closed Season 19" No limit
Haddock No Closed Season 21" No limit
Cobia No Closed Season 37" 2
Shad No Closed Season No minimum 6
Lobster--carapace length No Closed Season 3 3/8" - 5 1/4" 6
Tuna See Federal Regulations
Sharks See Shark Regulation Page
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No species of fish with a minimum size limit listed above may be filleted or cleaned at sea (except striped bass if fillet is at least 28" long). (Party boats licensed to carry 15 or more passengers may apply for a permit to fillet the above species except striped bass, at sea.)
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See Also:
Summary of NJ Saltwater Regulations
for Detailed Information!

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