Reporting Atlantic Sturgeon in NJ Waters

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has received recent reports of Atlantic sturgeon sightings in our waterways. As a reminder, Atlantic sturgeon are a federally protected species under the Endangered Species Act, and it is illegal to possess, harm, or harass them in any way, whether the fish is alive or dead.

• DO NOT attempt to handle, remove, or interact with sturgeon.

• If you accidentally catch a sturgeon, release it immediately, unharmed.

• If you see a sturgeon (alive, stranded, or deceased), report the sighting immediately to
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife at 609-748-2020, or file a report on the NJ Marine Protected Species Reporter application and email NOAA Fisheries at noaa.sturg911@noaa.gov

If possible, take photos from a safe distance and note the exact location (GPS coordinates if available), date, and time of the sighting.

Your cooperation is critical to the protection and recovery of this ancient and endangered species. 

Thank you for doing your part to protect New Jersey’s wildlife and waterways!

Hey, We Are a Top New Jersey Blog

Every blogger likes to get noticed. The list of the 80 Best New Jersey Blogs and Websites in 2025  has Endangered New Jersey at #37 as of today with 1.16 million visits.

We are happy to make the ever-changing list. If it brings new visitors to my site or turns on someone from NJ or beyond our borders to some of the wonders of our diverse state, that is great.

Thanks, Feedspot, for noticing us and giving us a bit of promotion!

On the Calendar At Sandy Hook

 

via Flickr

There are lots of programs for the summer at the National Park Service Gateway at Sandy Hook. There are a number of events that re[eat throughout the month. Here are a few examples. 

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Tours

 REPEATING EVENT Every week on Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday until June 30, 2025

1-3:30 PM

Sandy Hook History House
   
REPEATING EVENT Every week on Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday until June 30, 2025

1 pm — 4:30 pm

Yoga on the Beach at Sandy Hook

REPEATING EVENT  Every week on Saturday until June 28, 2025

8 am — 9 am

Fort Hancock Museum

REPEATING EVENT   Every week on Saturday, Sunday until June 29, 2025:

1 pm — 4:30 pm

Sandy Hook Light

Freshwater Fish of New Jersey

Wondering what kind of freshwater fish you might encounter while fishing in New Jersey? The list is quite extensive and filled with familiar and unfamiliar species.

Just looking at catfish, for one example, we find several species that many people would just call simply "catfish."

The most popular catfish among anglers is the Channel Catfish. This species is stocked throughout the state, from large lakes and rivers to small park ponds.

Channel Catfish

The Flathead Catfish is an unwanted invasive species. Some surpassing 20 pounds have been captured from NJ waters. Biologists have concerns for their negative impacts on recreationally important species and fish assemblages in general.

The White Catfish is NJ’s largest native catfish and is found throughout the state, but may be declining.  It is commonly caught by anglers alongside of Channel Catfish. In comparison, White Catfish have a broader head, longer anal fin, and a more deeply-forked tail.

The Brown Bullhead is commonly caught by anglers and found in most ponds, lakes, most streams and rivers that do not have a high gradient. The Yellow Bullhead is similar to the Brown Bullhead, and is another catfish that is widely distributed in NJ, including the Pinelands.

Brown bullhead. Ictalurus nebulous.(NOAA image)

A rarity is the Tadpole Madtom, which is not a tadpole in the froggy sense. Similar to the Margined Madtom, it has venom glands that can be quite painful.  This species is NJ’s smallest catfish and is primarily limited to the Pinelands.  It can be collected and used as bait.

See a list of all of NJ's freshwater fish at

dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/freshwater/freshwater-fish-of-new-jersey/