Size Limits
Species Regulations
Gear Regulations
Division Offices/Phone Numbers

SIZE LIMITS (in inches) OF FISH, CRUSTACEANS OR
MOLLUSKS OFFERED FOR SALE

* See American eel below.
**Minimum size limit for weakfish harvested by otter trawl from 9/1 through 12/31 is 12 inches (see Otter Trawl / Weakfish for open season).
*** Total weight of all goosefish livers landed shall not be more than 30% of the total weight of all goosefish tails landed or 12% of the total weight of goosefish landed.

REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SPECIFIC SPECIES

ATLANTIC STURGEON - A moratorium is in effect and possession is prohibited.

BLUE CRABS - Harvest, sale and consumption of crabs from the Newark Bay Complex is prohibited. (The Newark Bay Complex includes Newark Bay, Passaic River (up to Dundee Dam), Hackensack River (up to Oradell Dam), Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, and tidal portions of all tributaries. Taking of females with eggs attached or from which eggs have been removed is prohibited.

BLUEFISH - Commercial fishermen should be aware that an annual bluefish harvest quota is in effect for New Jersey. All commercial landings of bluefish in New Jersey are applied to the annual quota. All persons engaged in the commercial harvest of bluefish must possess a valid commercial bluefish permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Contact NMFS at (508) 281-9370 for a permit application. A person shall not land and a dealer shall not accept any bluefish landed in New Jersey taken by the gear type specified below during the closed season for that gear type. The Department may close the season upon 4 days notice for any gear.

Gear - Closed Season
Gill Net - November 7 - December 31
Pound Net - No Closed Season
Otter Trawl - December 8 - December 31
Hook and Line - January 1 - June 15 & August 8 - December 31

DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN
OPEN SEASON -- November 1 to March 31. No person may possess any diamondback terrapin except during the open season. (May be a mid-year change in season. Check with Law Enforcement prior to open season.)
SIZE LIMIT-- Five (5) inches bottom shell length.
May not be taken by means of a trap, pot, fyke, seine, weir or net of any description.

HORSESHOE CRABS - Harvest of horseshoe crabs requires a permit from the Commissioner of DEP. Anyone possessing a permit must report harvest on a monthly basis. Applications may be obtained from the Marine Fisheries Administration. Horseshoe crabs may be harvested by hand collection only.
No horseshoe crabs may be harvested from the Delaware Bay beaches or the adjacent waters and uplands within 1000 feet of the mean high water line from the Cape May Canal to Stow Creek at any time. Hand harvest is permitted in all other areas of the state only on Tuesdays and Thursdays during May and June. Horseshoe crab permits may be suspended or revoked for noncompliance to the reporting requirements of the permit system.
Note: At the time of publication an amendment to the horseshoe crab rule was under development to allow for the transferability of horseshoe crab permits among immediate family members and to extend the hand harvesting season to the period between April 1 and August 15. Check with a Marine Fisheries office for update.

PORGY ( SCUP ) - A harvester or vessel shall not land scup for the purpose of sale or sell any scup unless that harvester or vessel is in the possession of a valid New Jersey Scup Permit or a valid Scup Moratorium Permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Commercial fishermen should be aware that coastwide scup quotas and daily trip limits are in effect for the period from November 1 through April 30 and a New Jersey scup quota is in effect for the period from May 1 through October 31. All landings of scup in New Jersey during the period from May 1 through October 31 are applied to the New Jersey quota. No vessel shall land and no dealer shall accept from any one vessel more than the daily trip limit set by the NMFS for the seasons from November 1 through April 30 or more than the daily trip limit of 1,000 pounds of scup during the season of May 1 through October 31 or as otherwise notified. Once the season has been closed for the commercial scup fishery, no vessel may land and no dealer may accept any scup landed in New Jersey. Any harvester or vessel landing scup in New Jersey for the purpose of sale must sell all scup to a permitted New Jersey Scup Dealer. New Jersey Scup Dealers must provide weekly landing reports to the Division. All New Jersey Scup Permit holders and those Scup Moratorium Permit holders landing scup in New Jersey must provide monthly landing reports to the Division.

RIVER HERRING - No person shall harvest or attempt to harvest fish by any means from the Deal Lake flume, the Lake Takanassee spillway or Wreck Pond spillway on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, during the months of April and May in any year.
No person shall take more than 35 alewife or blueback herring in the aggregate per day with any dip net, cast net, lift or umbrella net or bait seine.

SEA TURTLES & MARINE MAMMALS - Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Ridley and Leatherback turtles are protected by state and federal laws. It is illegal to molest sea turtles and/or marine mammals or to possess them or any part of them.

SHORT-NOSED STURGEON - No open season on this endangered species. It is illegal to possess a short-nosed sturgeon, or any part of one.

STRIPED BASS - It is illegal to take, catch, or kill any striped bass from or in any marine waters of this state, by means of a net of any description, or by any methods other than angling with a hook and line or by spear fishing.
It is illegal to sell, barter or offer for sale or barter any striped bass or any parts of any striped bass.

SUMMER FLOUNDER - A vessel shall not land more than 100 pounds of summer flounder during the period of May 1 through October 31 or more than 200 pounds of summer flounder during the period of November 1 through April 30 in New Jersey on any one trip unless the vessel is in possession of a valid New Jersey Summer Flounder Permit. Commercial fishermen should be aware that an annual summer flounder harvest quota is in effect for New Jersey. All commercial landings of summer flounder, whether from a directed fishery or a by-catch fishery, are applied to the annual quota.
The New Jersey directed fishery quota is divided into three seasons: January - April, May - August, and September - December. Daily trip limits for the directed commercial summer flounder fishery have been established as follows: January to April, 7,500 pounds until 50% of quota is taken, then a 4,000 pound trip limit; May to August, 750 pounds until 40% is taken, then a 500 pound trip limit; September to December, 1,000 pounds. No vessel can have in possession or land, and no dealer can accept from any one vessel, more than the daily trip limit of summer flounder in any one calendar day.
Any vessel participating in a directed summer flounder fishery must notify the Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife of the time and place of unloading of the vessel at least two hours in advance of unloading by calling 609-748-2050. Unloading of summer flounder can only occur between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Once the season has been closed in the directed commercial summer flounder fishery, no vessel can land and no dealer can accept any summer flounder landed in New Jersey in excess of the by-catch allowances specified above, provided the amount of summer flounder landed from any vessel cannot exceed 10%, by weight, of the total weight of all species landed and sold. A portion of the annual quota is dedicated to a by-catch fishery. Once the directed and by-catch quotas for a season have been landed, no vessel can land any summer flounder and no dealer can accept any summer flounder landed in New Jersey. No vessel can land and no dealer can accept any summer flounder which have been frozen, filleted or processed in any way. Only whole fresh summer flounder can be landed. Any harvester or vessel landing summer flounder in New Jersey for the purpose of sale must sell all summer flounder to a permitted New Jersey Summer Flounder Dealer. A New Jersey Summer Flounder Dealers permit is required of all dealers buying summer flounder. New Jersey Summer Flounder Dealers must submit weekly landing reports to the Division. New Jersey Summer Flounder Permit holders must submit monthly landing reports to the Division. Failure to submit required reports may lead to suspension or revocation of the appropriate permit.

TAUTOG - Any vessel landing tautog for sale shall be in possession of the appropriate tautog permit based on the poundage of tautog in possession. The possession of more than 100 pounds of tautog on board a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for tautog. A vessel participating in a directed fishery for tautog shall be in possession of a valid New Jersey Directed Tautog Permit. The permit is issued in the name of the vessel and the owner, and for the specific gear type(s) used to qualify for the permit.
Beginning in 1998, fishermen landing 100 pounds or less of tautog for sale shall be in possession of a Non-Directed Fishery Tautog Permit. Applications for this new permit may be obtained by writing the Marine Fisheries Administration at the Nacote Creek address. Party and charter boats in possession of either tautog permit are ineligible to operate under that permit when carrying passengers for hire.
Commercial fishermen should also be aware that an annual harvest quota is in effect for New Jersey and all commercial landings of tautog in New Jersey shall be applied to the New Jersey annual tautog quota. The commercial season for tautog shall be from January 1 through December 31, however, the Commissioner shall close the season for the commercial tautog fishery upon four days public notice of the projected dated the annual quota shall be caught. Once the season has been closed for the commercial tautog fishery, no vessel shall land any tautog in New Jersey and no dealer shall accept any tautog landed in New Jersey for purposes of sale. All permit holders must provide monthly reports to the Division. Failure to submit required reports may lead to suspension or revocation of the vessel's tautog permit.

WEAKFISH - A person shall not land and a dealer shall not accept more than 150 pounds of weakfish in any one day taken by the gear types specified below during the closed season for that gear type.

Gear - Closed Season
Gill Net - May 21 - September 2 & October 20 - October 26
Pound Net - June 7 - June 30
Otter Trawl - August 1 - October 12

WINTER FLOUNDER A person shall not fish for or land and a dealer shall not accept any winter flounder taken by the gear types listed below in New Jersey waters during the closed season for that gear type.

Gear - Closed Season
Fyke Net - February 20 - September 30 (See fyke net section for seasons for taking of other species.)
All Other Commercial Gear - June 1 - November 30

REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SPECIFIC GEAR TYPES

LICENSE FEES - All fees listed apply to New Jersey residents. For most licenses, non-resident fees are the same as resident fees if a resident of New Jersey is not charged a higher fee than a resident for the same license in the applicant's state. Otherwise, the non-resident fee is ten times the resident fee.

GILL NETS (General) - An applicant for a gill net license must have possessed a gill net license in one of the two previous years. Applicants not meeting this condition must file an application, in person, with the Department in each of two consecutive years. Such an applicant shall be eligible to purchase gill net licenses in the following calendar year. Applications may be filed at any Marine Fisheries office.

DELAWARE BAY GILL NET PERMIT - Anyone fishing a drifting, staked or anchored gill net in that portion of Delaware Bay or its tributaries defined as the area east of the New Jersey-Delaware boundary enclosed by a line from Cape Henlopen, Delaware to Cape May Point Light, New Jersey and the "south-west line" as defined in N.J.S.A. 50:3-11 must have a Delaware Bay Gill Net Permit in addition to their gill net licenses. No new permits are being issued at this time. Individuals interested in being put on the waiting list for a Delaware Bay Gill Net Permit should request an application from the Nacote Creek Office. After being placed on the waiting list it is the applicant's responsibility to notify the Division in writing each January of his interest to remain on the waiting list.
An individual possessing a Delaware Bay Gill Net permit must purchase the number of gill net licenses authorized by the Delaware Bay Gill Net Permit in each calendar year. Failure to do so will result in the number of nets authorized by the permit being reduced to the number of net licenses actually obtained in that calendar year or in the event no licenses are purchased, invalidation of the permit immediately following the end of that calendar year.

GILL NET MESH EXEMPTION PERMIT (GNMEP) - Anyone fishing drifting, staked or anchored gill nets less than 3.25 inches stretched mesh in the Atlantic Ocean or in Delaware Bay after February 29 in any calendar year must possess a Gill Net Mesh Exemption Permit. In the Atlantic Ocean the permit allows the use of drifting gill nets between 2.75 inches stretched mesh and 3.25 inches stretched mesh within two nautical miles of the MHWL. A maximum of 200 fathoms of gill net may be in the water at any one time, the nets shall be no higher than eight feet (off the bottom) while fishing and they may only be fished between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
In Delaware Bay the permit allows the use of drifting, staked, or anchored gill nets between 2.75 inches stretched mesh and 3.25 inches stretched mesh within two nautical miles of the MHWL.
All permit holders must submit monthly reports of their catch and effort. Failure to submit the monthly report may result in revocation of the permit.

DRIFTING GILL NET

SEASON: Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, February 12 to December 15; Delaware Bay tributaries, February 12 to May 15, July 15 to December 15. See additional seasonal closures under Special Restrictions, Weakfish, and Bluefish.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and its tributaries.
GEAR: Minimum mesh: 5 inches stretched - February 12 to February 29; 3.25 inches stretched - March 1 to December 15 except in the tributaries of Delaware Bay and in Delaware Bay within two nautical miles of the mean high water line where the smallest mesh shall not be less than 2.75 inches stretched (see GNMEP). Shall not individually exceed 200 fathoms in length. Individual drifting gill nets shall not be fastened together to form a series of nets exceeding 400 fathoms in length from February 12 through May 15 or exceeding 200 fathoms in length May 16 through December 15. Separate drifting gill nets or a series of joined drifting gill nets may not be set or fished closer than 100 fathoms from any other net or series of nets. Shall not be used in the Atlantic Ocean within 100 fathoms of the marked channel of any inlet. In addition to the general gear marking requirements, drifting gill nets shall be marked at each end with a fluorescent orange float at least 12 inches in diameter or a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square and suspended at least three feet above the water. A white float measuring at least eight inches in diameter shall be located approximately 20 feet inside of each end marker.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: No more than two drifting gill nets shall be permitted to be set or operated by any vessel within that section of Delaware Bay known as the Brandywine Shoal Restricted Area: defined by the New Jersey-Delaware boundary on the west, LORAN C 27180 on the east, and LORAN C 42830 on the north, during the period from May 15th through June 15th. At night (sunset to sunrise), on any public holiday, and on weekends no more than one net shall be permitted to be set or operated nor shall any net be left unattended, within the Brandywine Shoal Restricted Area. Unattended means that the operator is more than 100 feet from the nearest portion of his net.
FEE: $20.00 per net

STAKED AND ANCHORED GILL NET

SEASON: Atlantic Ocean - February 12 to December 15. Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay - February 1 to May 15 - and only for shad.
Staked nets in Delaware Bay - February 1 to December 15; tributaries of Delaware Bay - January 1 to May 15 and July 15 to December 15. Anchored nets in Delaware Bay - February 12 to December 15; tributaries of Delaware Bay - February 12 to May 15 and July 15 to December 15. See additional seasonal closures under Special Restrictions, Weakfish and Bluefish.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, Delaware Bay and Delaware Bay tributaries. Staked and anchored gill nets shall not be used in that portion of Delaware Bay known as the Brandywine Shoal Restricted Area: defined by the New Jersey-Delaware boundary on the west, LORAN C 27180 on the east, and LORAN C 42830 on the north, during the period from May 15th through June 15th.
GEAR: Staked or anchored gill nets shall not be fastened together to form a series of nets exceeding 400 fathoms in length from the beginning of the season through May 15 or exceeding 200 fathoms in length May 16 through December 15. In Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay individual net length shall not exceed 30 fathoms and mesh not less than five inches stretched. No staked or anchored shad net may be placed within 3000 feet of any operating pound net. Shad nets may be placed on licensed pound net sites by the license holder or on unoccupied, approved pound net sites, provided the shad nets are set end to end with and in line with any existing pound nets. Staked and anchored gill nets may be used in the Atlantic Ocean February 12 through December 15, where individual gill net length shall not exceed 50 fathoms. The smallest mesh of any such net used in the Atlantic Ocean shall not be less than five inches stretched February 12 through February 29 and not less than 3.25 inches stretched March 1 through December 15. Such nets shall not be used in the Atlantic Ocean within 100 fathoms of the marked channel of any inlet. In addition to the general gear marking requirements, staked and anchored gill nets shall be marked at the end of a net or series of nets with a fluorescent orange float at least 12 inches in diameter or a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square and suspended at least three feet above the water. A white float measuring at least eight inches in diameter shall be located approximately 20 feet inside of each end marker.
Staked and anchored gill nets may be used in the tributaries of Delaware Bay January 1 through May 15 and July 15 through December 15, where individual gill net length shall not exceed 30 fathoms. The mesh of any such net used in the tributaries of Delaware Bay shall not be less that 2.75 inches stretched, nor greater that 3.25 inches stretched January 1 through February 29 and no mechanical means shall be utilized to retrieve such net, and shall not be less than 2.75 inches from March 1 through May 15 and July 15 through December 15. No net shall be set across the middle one third of any tributary or mouth of any tributary, nor shall any net be set in a manner that impedes navigation. Staked and anchored gill nets may be used in Delaware Bay February 1 through December 15, where individual gill net length shall not exceed 30 fathoms. The mesh of staked gill nets used in Delaware Bay shall be 2.75 inches stretched beginning February 1 through February 29. The mesh of anchored gill nets used in Delaware Bay shall not be less than five inches stretched beginning February 1 through February 29. Staked or anchored gill nets of a mesh not less that 2.75 inches or greater than 3.25 inches may be used within 1 nautical mile of the mean high water line from January 1 through February 29 provided no mechanical means are utilized to retrieve such nets. The mesh of any such net shall not be less that 3.25 inches beginning March 1 through December 15 except within two nautical miles of the mean high water line where the smallest mesh shall not be less than 2.75 inches stretched (see GNMEP).
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Raritan and Sandy Hook Bay - staked and anchored gill nets may be used only for shad.
Delaware Bay - Staked and anchored gill nets shall not be used in that portion of the Delaware Bay known as the Brandywine Shoal Restricted area defined above.
FEE: $3.00 per net.

HUDSON RIVER SHAD NET

SEASON: Legal period from Saturday midnight until Friday noon. March 15 to June 15.
AREA: Hudson River
GEAR: Shad nets for the Hudson River shall be held in place by either stakes or anchors and shall not exceed 200 fathoms in length. The smallest mesh of any shad net shall not be less than five inches stretched. Shad nets shall be marked at each end with a fluorescent orange float at least 12 inches in diameter or a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square and suspended at least two feet above the mean high water line.
See General Gear Marking Requirements also.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Shad only.
FEE: $60.00 per net.

BAIT NET

SEASON: January 1 to December 31.
AREA: All marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks; Atlantic Ocean within 3 nautical miles of coast.
GEAR: 1. Hand held dip nets 24 inches in diameter or less; 2. Bait seines not exceeding 150 feet and mesh not less than 3/8 inches stretched, inside measurement, and not more than 21 inches stretched; 3. Cast nets not exceeding 30 feet in diameter; 4. Lift or umbrella nets not exceeding 4 feet square; 5. Killipots with a mesh of not less that 3/16 inches bar, inside measurement, and not exceeding 10 inches in diameter and 25 inches in length, if cylindrical, or 2000 cubic inches for any other configuration.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: The bait net license would not allow a person to harvest over 1 bushel or sell any crabs, nor take more than 35 river herring (alewife and blueback herring) per day.
FEE: $10.00 per license.
A license is not required for the following gear provided that the fish taken are not sold or bartered and the following additional gear restrictions are observed: 1. Dip nets 24 inches in diameter or less (for herring only); 2. Bait seines not exceeding 50 feet; 3. Cast nets not exceeding 20 feet in diameter; 4. Lift or umbrella nets not exceeding 4 feet square; 5. Five killipots or less measuring not over 10 inches in diameter or 25 inches in length, if cylindrical, or 2,000 cubic inches for any other configuration.
NOTE: Under N.J.S.A. 23:5 - 35.2, no license is required to take edible crabs for personal consumption with a scoop net (commonly called dip net) operated by hand.

MINIATURE FYKES OR POTS

SEASON: January 1 to December 31
AREA: All marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks; Atlantic Ocean within 3 nautical miles of coast. Sale of eels taken from the Hudson River, upper New York Bay, Newark Bay, lower (tidal) Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull prohibited. Sale and consumption of any species taken from the tidal Passaic is prohibited.
GEAR: Diameter not to exceed 16 inches if cylindrical or 201 square inches in cross section if any other configuration. Mesh no smaller than 3/16 inches bar inside measurement.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Only to be used for the taking of catfish, suckers, killifish (Cyprinodontidae spp.), and eels. Up to two miniature fykes or pots may be used for the taking of killifish or eels for bait without a license provided the killifish or eels are not sold or used for barter.
FEE: $100.00 per license.

PARALLEL NET

SEASON: September 1 to May 31
AREA: Delaware Bay and its tributaries.
GEAR: Minimum mesh: 3.5 inches stretched and length not greater than 100 fathoms (600 feet). To be set parallel to shore at the low water mark. Must not be set across any tributary or mouth of any tributary nor set in a manner that impedes navigation. See General Gear Marking Requirements.
FEE: $10.00 per net.

FYKE NET

SEASON: November 1 to April 30.
AREA: All marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks and Atlantic Ocean within three nautical miles of coast except fyke netting is not permitted in Lake Takanassee, Spring Lake, Wreck Pond, Deal Lake and in the area commonly known as Collins Cove off the Mullica River between a line starting at aid to navigation channel marker flashing red number 8 (latitude 39o33.36'N, longitude 74o28.39'W), bearing approximately 229o to a point on the western shore of Collins Cove at latitude 39o33.09'N, longitude 74o28.72'W and the Garden State Parkway where it crosses the Mullica River. No fyke net nor part thereof shall be set in the middle one third of any river, stream or tributary.
GEAR: Length, including leaders, not to exceed 30 fathoms (180 feet). Mesh no smaller than 3/8 inches stretched (inside measurement ) or larger that 5 inches stretched.
No part of the net or leaders may be constructed of monofilament. All fyke nets must be marked. See section on general net marking requirements. In addition, submerged anchored fyke nets shall be marked at each end with a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches by 12 inches and suspended at least three feet above the water. All stakes used for setting of fyke nets must be removed within 30 days of the close of season.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: Each licensee must specify on their license application the specific estuary in which they intend to fish the fyke net(s). Licensees must notify the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, Marine Fisheries Administration, as to any change in the specific estuary within which the fyke net is located no later than seven days following the change in estuary. Winter flounder may be taken by fyke net during the season of November 1 through February 19. Any winter flounder taken by fyke net from February 20 through April 30 shall not be retained and must be immediately returned to the water.
FEE: $12.00 per net

HAUL SEINE

SEASON: November 1 to April 30
AREA: Inland marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks except Lake Takanassee, Spring Lake, Wreck Pond and Deal Lake; Atlantic Ocean but not within 300 feet of coastline. No haul seine may be used beneath the ice in any waters.
GEAR: Mesh not less than 2.75 inches stretched and length not to exceed 70 fathoms (420 feet), whether singly or in series.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
FEE: $25.00 per net

POUND NET

SEASON: Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay, and Sandy Hook Bay - January 1 to December 31. Delaware Bay - February 15 to May 15.
AREA: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay. Pound net site priority is given to the previous year's license holder until March 1.
GEAR: Raritan, Sandy Hook and Delaware Bays: When submitting a request for a pound net license, the applicant must specify the proposed site location for placement of each net. New sites must be at least 3000 feet from a previously leased pound net site, when measured parallel to the shoreline, and 1000 feet from any navigable channel. Sites which have not been previously located on an approved chart must be approved by the Department. Pound nets must be placed end to end so as to form a straight line, perpendicular to the shoreline.
Maximum length, including leader and hearts, is 750 feet. Mesh not less than two inches stretched. A minimum distance of 50 feet must be maintained between any two pound nets, shad nets or combination thereof, when measured perpendicular to the shoreline. A nameplate not less than six inches square with a legible and indelibly marked gear identification number (ID) must be maintained on the offshore pole. A flashing, amber light must be displayed between sunset and sunrise on the two end poles. Within 30 days of the termination of fishing activities for that year, all poles and stakes must be removed by the license holder.
Atlantic Ocean: When submitting a request for an ocean or submarine pound net license, the applicant must specify the specific proposed site-location for placement of each net. (Permission for location of ocean pound nets is also required from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.) No portion of a pound net may be set within 1,500 feet or greater than 7,000 feet from the mean low water line on the ocean shoreline. No row of pound nets may be erected or operated within one and one-half miles of any other row of pound nets, when measured parallel with the coastline. No more than two pound nets may be joined together. A minimum distance of 1,000 feet, when measured perpendicular to the coastline, must be maintained between individual or paired pound nets set in a row. A row of ocean or submarine pound nets must form a straight line with the nets placed end-to-end. The maximum allowable length of an ocean or submarine pound net, including leader and pocket is 1,100 feet. The minimum mesh size for ocean or submarine pound nets is two inches, stretched.
White reflectors must be placed around the top of each pole so as to reflect in all directions. Flashing amber lights must be displayed on the inshore and offshore poles of nets or rows of nets, between sunset and sunrise; these lights must be placed at least 10 feet above the mean high water level and must be of sufficient brightness to be visible for at least three miles in all directions at such times and under such weather conditions as would allow visibility of 10 miles. Submarine pound nets shall be maintained in compliance with the following additional requirements; at least eight fluorescent orange floats, at least 12 inches in diameter, shall be maintained along the length of each net, including the inshore and offshore ends. A nameplate, not less than 12 inches square, shall have the identification number (ID) legibly marked. The license holder must completely remove all pound net poles and stakes, within ten months of the termination of fishing activities.
FEE: $100.00 per net.

WIRE POUND NET

SEASON: March 1 to December 31.
AREA: Delaware Bay only.
GEAR: Not to extend farther than 300 feet from the mean low water mark. See General Gear Marking Requirements.
FEE: $25.00 per net.

SHRIMP TRAWL

SEASON: April 15 to December 15.
AREA: No restrictions.
GEAR: The maximum internal opening of the trawl is 60 inches by 12 inches. The mesh cannot be greater than 1 inch stretched. No boat shall have more than two trawls working at the same time, and each trawl shall be separately and independently attached to the vessel by a single cable or tow line.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: For taking grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) or sand shrimp (Crangon spp.) only. Any organisms other than shrimp taken with a shrimp trawl must be immediately returned to waters from which such organisms were taken.
FEE: $12.00 per net.

LOBSTER OR FISH POTS

SEASON: January 1 to December 31.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean within 3 nautical miles of the coast, Delaware Bay, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay.
GEAR: Lines to be marked at both ends with a buoy. All gear must be legibly and indelibly marked with the gear identification number (ID) of the owner. The gear ID number must also be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and on a weather deck so as to be visible from above. The number displayed must be at least 10 inches in height and of a color contrasting to the background.
All lobster and fish traps must be constructed to include the largest of the applicable unobstructed escape vents in the parlor section of the pot as follows: in a fishery in which the possession of at least 100 pounds of scup occurs, the escape vent(s) must be at least 2.25 inches by 2.25 inches if square or at least 3.1 inches in diameter if circular; in a fishery in which the possession of lobster occurs, the escape vent(s) must be at least 1.875 inches by 5.75 inches if rectangular or 2 vents at least 2.375 inches in diameter if circular; in a fishery in which the possession of black sea bass occurs, the escape vent(s) must be at least 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches if square, at least 1.125 inches by 5.75 inches if rectangular or at least 2 inches in diameter if circular. All lobster and fish traps must be constructed to include a ghost panel or other mechanism to allow the unobstructed escapement of fish or lobsters after a pot is abandoned or lost which meets the following specifications: an opening not less than 3.75 inches by 3.75 inches or not less than three inches by 6 inches when used in a fishery in which the possession of black sea bass occurs. The ghost panel shall be constructed of, or fastened to the pot with one of the following materials: untreated wood lath; untreated cotton, hemp, sisal or jute twine not greater than 3/16 inches in diameter; non-stainless, ungalvanized, uncoated ferrous metal not greater than 3/32 inches in diameter or magnesium alloy, timed float releases.
A modified lobster or fish pot may be used for taking conchs in all marine waters of the state except the Newark Bay Complex, creeks less than 50 feet wide at mean low water, marked or charted channels or any manmade lagoon. Such pots shall not be larger than 30 inches on a side if rectangular or if cylindrical shaped, not greater than 34 inches in diameter and 30 inches in height. Conch pots must have an unobstructed opening on the top surface not less than 8 x 8 inches, square or 9 inches in diameter and cannot contain a parlor, funnel or other entrapping mechanism in the interior of the pot. Conch pots may only be tended between the hours of 0400 hours (4:00 A.M.) to 2100 hours (9:00 P.M.).
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Lobsters: Minimum carapace - 3 1/4 inches; tails may be landed, with not more than two claws per tail, provided that the sixth tail segment is no less than 1 1/16 inches in length. No person shall possess any lobsters with eggs attached or from which eggs have been removed.
FEE: $100.00 per license.

CRAB POT / TROT LINE

SEASON: Delaware Bay - April 16 to December 14; all other waters - March 15 to November 30.
AREA: The following waters are closed to the use of crab pots and trot lines: Cumberland County - Cohansey River, Back Creek, Cedar Creek, Nantuxent Creek, Fortesque Creek, Oranoken Creek, Dividing Creek; Cape May County - West Creek, Bidwell Creek and the Cape May Canal; Atlantic County - Hammock Cove also known as Dry Bay. Ocean County - On the eastern shore of Barnegat Bay, that area of the Sedge Islands Wildlife Management Area enclosed by a line drawn from the northern bank of Fishing Creek on Island Beach State Park to the northern tip of the Sedge Islands (Hensler Island), then south from point to point along the western side of the Sedge Islands Wildlife Management Area and terminating on the most southwestern point of Island Beach State Park.
GEAR: Crab pots shall be a cube or rectangular shaped device not larger than 30 inches on a side. Minimum mesh size shall be not less than 1 inch. The openings to the interior of the pot shall be oval and not larger than 7 inches wide and 4 inches in height. Trot lines shall have a maximum length of 3,000 feet and marked at both ends with a clearly visible stake or buoy. No trot line shall be set within 100 feet of another trot line. All gear must be legibly and indelibly marked with the gear identification number (ID) of the owner.
Crab Pot / Trot Line: All crab pot buoys shall be marked with fluorescent or reflective paint, tape or other reflective material or reflectors. Floating line cannot be used on any crab pot or crab pot buoy. No license holder shall fish more that 600 crab pots in the Delaware Bay nor more that 400 crab pots in all other waters. All crab pots must be checked and emptied of all crabs and other organisms at least once every 72 hours. All gear associated with crab potting must be removed from the water within three days of the end of the season. No pot shall be placed in any creek less than 50ft. wide or in any marked or charted channel or man-made lagoon. Crab pots and trot lines may be tended only between the hours of 4:00 AM and 9:00 PM prevailing time in Delaware Bay and 24 hours a day in all other waters. All organisms other than crabs and conchs shall be immediately released to the waters from which such organisms were taken.

Effective January 1, 1998, all commercial crab pots shall be constructed to include a biodegradable panel or other mechanism which is designed to create an opening to allow the escape of crabs or other marine organisms after a pot has been abandoned, or lost, and which meets the following criteria:
1. The opening covered by the panel or created by another approved mechanism as identified in 3. below shall be oval or rectangular and measure at least eight inches wide and five inches high*, shall be located in the upper section of the pot, and shall be in a position which allows the unobstructed exit of crabs or fish from the pot;
2. The panel shall be constructed of, or fastened to the pot with one of the following materials: wood lath; cotton, hemp, sisal or jute twine not greater than 1/16 inch in diameter; or non-stainless, uncoated ferrous metal not greater that 3/32 inch in diameter; and
3. The door or side panel of the pot may serve as the ghost panel if the door or side panel is fastened to the pot with a material specified in the 2. above.

Effective January 1, 1998, all commercial crab pots set in any body of water less that 150 feet wide from shoreline to shoreline at mean low water or in any man-made lagoon shall include terrapin excluder devices attached to the inside of all pot entrance funnels which meet the following criteria:
1. The terrapin excluder device shall be rectangular or diamond shaped and no larger than six inches wide and two inches high;
2. The terrapin excluder device shall be securely fastened inside each funnel to effectively reduce the size of the funnel opening to no larger than six inches wide and two inches high; and
3. Any similar device may be approved by the Division after consultation at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Marine Fisheries Council.
*NOTE: The Marine Fisheries Council and Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife are in the process of modifying to 61" wide by 5" high. Interested parties should contact the Division after April for additional developments.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: Crab Pot / Trot Line and Crab Dredge: Commercial fishermen should be aware that the number of crab pot trot line and crab dredge licenses is now limited. Only individuals renewing their license in the current year will be eligible to purchase a license for the next year.
All persons commercially licensed to take crabs by means of pots or trot lines or crab dredge in this State shall keep, on forms furnished by the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, accurate records which shall include the number of bushels of crabs, and the areas fished. These records will be filed monthly on or before the 10th of the month following the month of record with the Div. of Fish, Game & Wildlife.
FEE: Resident-$100.00; Non-Resident-$500.00.

CRAB DREDGE

SEASON: November 15 through April 15 in Delaware Bay; December 1 through March 31 in all other waters. Sunday dredging allowed only north of Rt.36, in the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.
HOURS: One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, statewide. Consult the Hunting Issue of the NJ Fish & Wildlife DIGEST for official times of sunrise and sunset.
AREA: Atlantic coast and sections of Delaware Bay.
GEAR: The maximum length of the tooth bar shall be 75 inches north of Route 36 and in the Atlantic Ocean, 54 inches in Delaware Bay, and 38 inches in all other waters. The maximum weight of the dredge shall be 400 pounds north of Route 36 and in the Atlantic Ocean and 80 pounds in all other waters. There is no weight limit in Delaware Bay. If two or fewer dredges are in possession north of Route 36 or in the Atlantic Ocean, or if no more than one dredge is in possession in Delaware Bay, the maximum length of the tooth bar shall be 96 inches and the maximum weight of the dredge shall be 500 pounds (except no weight limit in Delaware Bay). The maximum length of the teeth shall be six inches north of Route 36, in Delaware Bay, and in the Atlantic Ocean and three inches in all other waters. The minimum space between teeth shall be three inches measured at the base. A toothless bar is allowed in place of a tooth bar in all waters, provided each toothless bar is no greater than the previously specified tooth bar lengths. Chains are allowed in place of a tooth bar or toothless bar in all waters, provided that the width of each dredge opening or mouth and the distance between the chain attachment points on the dredge are no greater in width than the previously specified tooth bar lengths. The collecting bag of a dredge, if material, shall have mesh not less than two inches bar measure or four inches stretched measure, if wire, shall not be less than two inches bar mesh (inside measurement) or two and one-half inches inside diameter if circular; if metal, the O-rings shall not be less than two and one-half inches diameter and be connected with no more than five "S" hooks that measure not less than two and one-half inches in length as measured to the inside of the "S" configuration. Each dredge shall be independently and separately attached to the vessel by a single cable or tow line. No boat shall have more than four dredges working at the same time, except in Delaware Bay where no boats shall have more than two dredges working at the same time. The maximum weight of the dredge includes the weight of the frame, tooth bar or chain, fasteners and bag.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION : Crab Dredge: No person shall catch, take, or attempt to take crabs by crab dredge from any of the marked leased shellfish grounds; and no person shall dredge or attempt to dredge crabs on any State oyster beds or grounds, except for a lessee on his or her leased shellfish grounds in Delaware Bay; and no person shall dredge or attempt to dredge crabs within 50 yards of any marked leased shellfish grounds. Any clams, oysters, scallops, mussels or other bivalve mollusks, or finfish which may be caught incidentally to the catching of the crabs by dredge shall be redeposited immediately in the water from which such clams, oysters, scallops, mussels or other bivalve mollusks, or finfish are caught; nor shall any person, while engaged in the catching and taking of crabs by dredge, have in his boat or possession any clams, oysters, scallops, mussels or other bivalve mollusks, or finfish obtained from any source, except as provided under N.J.S.A. 50:3-16.13. Conchs may be kept as a by catch in the crab dredge fishery.
Harvest, sale and consumption of crabs from the Newark Bay Complex is prohibited. (The Newark Bay Complex includes Newark Bay, Passaic River (up to Dundee Dam), Hackensack River (up to Oradell Dam), Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, and tidal portions of all tributaries.
Also see SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS for crab pot/trot line.
FEE: Resident Delaware Bay Crab Dredge License - $100.00. Resident Atlantic Coast Crab Dredge License - $100.00. Non-Resident - $500.00 each license.

SHIRRED OR PURSE SEINES, OTTER OR BEAM TRAWLS

SEASON: January 1 to December 31
AREA: Atlantic Ocean not closer than two miles from the coastline.
GEAR: License issued for an individual vessel. All trawl net doors possessed on the waters of the State of New Jersey must contain the official documentation number or the state registration number of the vessel to whom they belong indelibly branded or stamped in block letters no less than two inches in height on the surface of each door. Trawl doors may be used only by the vessel which corresponds to the branded or stamped numbers. A vessel may utilize another vessel's trawl doors provided the vessel owner utilizing such doors contacts the Division's Bureau of Law Enforcement in advance. No vessel may have available for immediate use any otter or beam trawl while on the marine waters of this State during the hours between sunset and sunrise except on the Atlantic Ocean, at a distance of greater than two miles from the coast line. Contact the Marine Fisheries Office for definition of "not available for immediate use". A vessel or person utilizing a roller rigged trawl gear shall not utilize rollers greater than 18 inches in diameter.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: BLACK SEA BASS: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a directed fishery for black sea bass may not use a net of less than 4 inches stretched diamond mesh or 3.5 inches stretched square mesh, inside measurement, applied throughout the cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. The possession of more than 1000 pounds of black sea bass on board a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for black sea bass.
SCUP: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a directed fishery for scup shall not use a net of less than 4.5 inches stretched mesh inside measurement applied throughout the cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. A directed fishery for scup is defined as the possession of more that 4000 pounds of scup during the period of November 1 through April 30 and more than 1000 pounds of scup during the period of May 1 through October 31 on board a vessel or landed from a vessel.
SUMMER FLOUNDER: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a directed summer flounder fishery may not use a net of less than 5.5 inches stretched diamond mesh or 6.0 inches minimum stretched square mesh, inside measurement applied throughout the cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. The minimum mesh size will apply throughout the entire net upon adoption of a similar rule by the National Marine Fisheries Service (anticipated implementation June 3, 1998). The possession of more than 100 pounds during the period of May 1 through October 31 or more than 200 pounds during the period of November 1 through April 30 of summer flounder onboard a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for summer flounder (see Summer Flounder).
WINTER FLOUNDER: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a directed winter flounder fishery may not use a net of less than 5.0 inches stretched mesh inside measurement applied throughout the cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. The possession of more than 100 pounds of winter flounder onboard a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for winter flounder.
See winter flounder section for seasonal restrictions.
WEAKFISH: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a directed fishery for weakfish may not use or possess a net of less than 3.75 inches stretched diamond mesh or 3.375 inches stretch square mesh, inside measurement applied throughout the cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. The possession of at least 100 pounds of weakfish onboard a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for weakfish. See weakfish section for seasonal restrictions.
FEE: $100.00 per license.

SHIRRED OR PURSE SEINES FOR MENHADEN FOR FISH MEAL REDUCTION

SEASON: The third Monday in May through the third Friday in October.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean from 1.2 to 3 nautical miles from coast.
GEAR: Purse or shirred net.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: All fishing and related activities may not occur any closer than 1.2 nautical miles from the shore, jetties or piers. The vessel's captain or agent shall notify the Division at 609-748-2050 prior to and upon completion of any fishing in state waters.
No fishing on Saturdays, Sundays or any holiday officially observed by the State of New Jersey (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day). No markers, buoys, crab pots, lobster pots, or traps shall be disturbed by the act of fishing. Possession of any fish other than menhaden is prohibited.
FEE: Based upon gross tonnage - range from $125-$1,500.

SHIRRED OR PURSE SEINES FOR MENHADEN FOR BAIT

SEASON: January 1 to December 31.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean - between 0.6 and 3 nautical miles from shore. Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay - not closer than 0.3 nautical miles from shore. Delaware Bay - that portion of Delaware Bay south and east of LORAN C line 42850 not closer than 0.6 nautical miles from shore.
GEAR: Purse or shirred net.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Applicant must apply for a bait permit between January 1 and March 1 in every calendar year. No applications shall be accepted after March 1 in any calendar year. Maximum length of vessel is 90 feet. Maximum length of net is 150 fathoms (900 feet). Removal of fish from purse seine shall be by brailing or dip netting only. Fish pumps are prohibited aboard harvest vessels permitted to purse seine menhaden for bait. All fishing and related activities may not occur any closer to the shore, jetties or piers than 0.6 nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay and 0.3 nautical miles in Raritan and Sandy Hook bays. No fishing permitted between sunset and sunrise. No fishing permitted on Saturdays, Sundays or any holiday officially observed by the State of New Jersey (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). No stakes, markers, buoys, crab pots, lobster pots, fish pots, or staked shellfish grounds shall be disturbed by the act of fishing. Possession of any fish other than menhaden is prohibited.
Any vessel engaged in fishing for Atlantic menhaden for bait must obtain a bait permit and shall display, on both sides of the vessel amidships, a yellow capital letter "B" not less that five feet in height on a black square background not less that six feet on a side, or as otherwise specified in the regulation. In all cases, however, each side of the black background shall be no less that three-quarters of the height of the gunwale at amidships from the waterline.
A permit suspension / revocation schedule exists for violation of authorized fishing areas. A person or persons from the dock or onboard a fishing vessel shall call the Division's Marine Enforcement Unit (609-748-2050) daily, before the onset of fishing activity, and identify the vessels engaged in purse seining and the area where the fishing activity will occur. All persons licensed to take Atlantic menhaden for bait purposes only shall keep and submit accurate records of the amount and location of Atlantic menhaden harvested.
FEE: Based upon gross tonnage - range $20-$1,500.

Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife Offices

Marine Fisheries - 609-292-2083
Shellfisheries - 609-984-5546
Law Enforcement - 609-292-9430

Bivalve Shellfish Office
PO Box 432
Port Norris, NJ 08349
609-785-0730

Nacote Creek Marine Fisheries Center
PO Box 418, (Rt.9, Mile 51)
Port Republic, NJ 08241

Marine Fisheries - 609-748-2020
Shellfisheries - 609-748-2040
Marine Resources Enforcement - 609-748-2050
Coastal Education - 609-748-2031