New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife
2001 Recreational Marine Minimum Size,
Possession Limits and Seasons
Below is a summary of recreational marine fish minimum size, possession limits and seasons. More detailed information is found in the Fish & Wildlife DIGEST, available at Division offices and most coastal bait and tackle shops.
Prohibited Species
It is illegal to take, possess or land any of the following species:
Atlantic sturgeon
Basking shark
Bigeye sand tiger shark
Sand tiger shark
Short nose sturgeon
Whale shark
White shark
Regulation Summary Table
Fish are measured from tip of snout to tip of tail (except Black sea bass). Cleaning or filleting of fish with a minimum size limit while at sea is prohibited
| SPECIES | MINIMUM SIZE | POSSESSION LIMIT | NOTES |
| American eel | 6" | no limit | |
| Black sea bass | 11 | 25 | see illustration for measuring |
| Blue crab | peeler or shedder - 3" soft - 3½" hard - 4½" | one bushel | measured point to point; see illustration |
| Bluefish | no minimum size | 15 | |
| Cobia | 37" | 2 | |
| Cod | 21" | no limit | |
| Haddock | 21" | no limit | |
| Hard Clam | 1½" | 150 | see illustration |
| King mackerel | 23" | 3 | |
| Lobster | 3¼" (carapace length) | 6 | |
| Pollock | 19" | no limit | |
| Red drum | 18" | 5 | only one fish over 27" |
| Scup (porgy) | 9 | 50 | |
| Shad | no minimum size | 6 | |
| Shark | 23 | 2 per vessel | see illustration |
| Spanish mackerel | 14" | 10 | |
| Striped bass or Hybrid striped bass | 1 fish at 28" 1 fish at 24" or greater, but less than 28" | Delaware R. & tributaries. (Commodore Barry Bridge to Salem R. & tributaries): Mar. 1 - 31 and June 1 - Dec. 31 Atlantic Ocean (0-3 miles from shore): no closed season. Atlantic Ocean (Greater than 3 miles from shore): CLOSED All other marine waters open Mar. 1 - Dec. 31 | |
| Summer flounder (fluke) | 16" | 8 | Open season: May 12 - Sept 11 |
| Tautog | 14" | see notes | Open seasons: Oct. 10 - May 31: 10 fish limit June 1 - Oct. 9: 1 fish limit |
| Weakfish | 14" | 14 | |
| Winter flounder | 11" | no limit | Open seasons: March 1 - May 31 Sept. 15 - Dec. 31 |
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