Proposed Amendments to the NJ Fish Code

 

Amendments to the Fish Code have been proposed for 2026-2030. The proposed changes include:

• Removal of the three-week preseason closure to fishing on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds.

• Addition of 23 new trout-stocked waters to the spring trout stocking program, and removal of two waters.

• Addition of one fish species to the potentially dangerous fish species list.

• Modify existing season, size, or creel limits for several fish species.

• Change waters managed as Lunker Bass Lakes and the warmwater Conservation Regulations.

• Modify Trophy Trout Lake regulations.

A complete summary of the proposed changes can be accessed from the DEP Notice of Rule Proposal: https://dep.nj.gov/rules/notice-of-rule-proposals/

More information, including how to submit comments and attend the public hearing on September 10, can be found here: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/news-2025-08-18-fish-code-amendments-proposed/

Saltwater Fishing Sizes and Limits

AS the weather continues to warm, more people can be found on beaches and in the waters off New Jersey fishing.

Like all coastline states, New Jersey has regulations specific to size, seasons, possession and trip limits, quotas, tagging, reporting and more. Be sure to learn the regulations and responsibilities that apply to your interests and activities.

Marine Fish of New Jersey
There are approximately 450 species of vertebrate wildlife which can be found within the Garden State, along with 85 freshwater fish. Our bays, estuaries and marine waters can be home to 28 marine mammals and 336 marine finfish at some point during the year. This is an exceptional number of species for a state as small as New Jersey. The majority of the information in the tables below was compiled through the work of Ken Able (Able, 1992) and lists marine fish which can be found in our waters.

For full information about NJ Saltwater Fishing: dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/

 

Fisheries, Sharks and Migratory Species in New Jersey Waters

Fishing for sharks is regulated by the New Jersey and federal regulations. Cooperative conservation partnerships between NOAA Fisheries and New Jersey was formalized by entering into agreements under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act.

Beyond the threatened and endangered species, federal regulations prohibit targeting any prohibited species. That means that 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 would be a violation of federal regulations.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJ DEP) signed a Cooperative Agreement in 2004 which was amended November 7, 2012. establishes and maintains an "adequate and active" program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species.

New Jersey's agreement lists the following species:

Endangered

• Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus):
  » New York Bight Distinct Population Segment (DPS)
  » Chesapeake Bay DPS
  » Carolina DPS
  » South Atlantic DPS
• Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
• Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
• Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
• Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)

Threatened

•  Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus):
  » Gulf of Maine DPS
• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)

Additional information on the regulations regarding these species can be found at fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species