New Jersey Salt Water Fishing
New Jersey has 83 miles of bay shore and 127 miles of Atlantic coastline that attract saltwater fishermen, both recreational and commercial. It stretches from Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook to Cape May and Delaware Bay, according to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. You can fish in the surf or take a boat out to one of the state's artificial reefs. Besides a wide range of fish, you can also find crabs and mollusks.
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National Saltwater Angler Registry
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Recreational saltwater fishermen must register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry before they can do saltwater fishing. This is a new law that took effect in 2010 that is designed to collect data to protect recreational saltwater fishing sustainability. Once registered, you should receive a registration card within a month. The registration must be renewed annually.
Licenses
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You must have a fishing license to fish in New Jersey if you are age 16 or older. Licenses are available for residents, servicemen, National Guard members and disabled veterans. To be eligible for the resident license, you must have lived in the state for the previous six months. Disabled veterans and National Guard members can receive their licenses for free. Besides a regular license, you can also purchase a striped bass bonus permit that allows you to catch a third striped bass during the season if it is 28 inches long or greater.
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Prohibited Species
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New Jersey has a number of saltwater species that are illegal to take, possess, land, purchase or sell. The prohibited fish species are: Atlantic angel shark, Atlantic sturgeon, basking shark, bigeye sand tiger shark, bigeye sixgill shark, bigeye thresher shark, bignose shark, Caribbean reef shark, Caribbean sharpnose shark, dusky shark, Galapagos shark, longfin mako shark, narrowtooth shark, night shark, sand tiger shark, sandbar shark, sharpnose sevengill shark, shortnose sturgeon, sixgill shark, smalltail shark, whale shark and white shark, according to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. You can't take, catch or kill striped bass from any marine waters other than by hook and line or spearfishing, according to state law. Also, under state law, you can't "molest, kill or possess sea turtles or marine mammals or possess any part of one."
Saltwater Fish Seasons
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Black drum, bluefish, cobia, cod, haddock, king mackerel, pollock, red drum, river herring, shad, smooth dogfish, Spanish mackerel and weakfish can be fished year-round. Striped bass can also be fished year-round if it is done in the Atlantic Ocean. Other fish species have varying seasons. You will need to check with the Division of Fish and Wildlife to find out what the season for your particular species is and what the catch size and catch limit are for that species.
Artificial Reefs
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The New Jersey Bureau of Marine Fisheries has been creating artificial reefs since 1984. The goal of the program is to create a marine life habitat, fertile fishing grounds and a place for scuba divers to dive. The reefs are made from dense materials like old ships and demolition debris. As of 2010, the state had 15 artificial reef sites that covered 25 square miles of sea floor. The reefs have been constructed so that they are within easy boat range of 12 New Jersey ocean inlets, according to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
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References
- NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife: Marine Regulations
- NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife: Saltwater Registry Information
- NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife: NJ License and Permit Information
- NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife: Artificial Reef Program
- NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife: Saltwater Fishing, Crabbing and Clamming
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