What are the 2024 NJ fishing regulations for recreational anglers? Here are a few of the most popular target species…

Black Sea Bass:
May 17 – Jun 19, 12.5″ Minimum Size, 10 per person bag
Jul 1 – Aug 31, 12.5″ Minimum Size, 1 per person bag
Oct 1 – Oct 31, 12.5″ Minimum Size, 10 per person bag
Nov 1 – Dec 31, 12.5″ Minimum Size, 15 per person bag

Bluefish:
No Closed Season, No Minimum Size,
*Private/Shore Angler: 3 per person bag
*Anglers Aboard For-Hire: 5 per person bag

Drum, Black:
No Closed Season, 16″ Minimum Size, 3 per person bag

Flounder, Summer (Fluke):
May 4 – Sep 25, 18″ Minimum Size, 3 per person bag
*See NJFW for special exceptions

Flounder, Winter:
Mar 1 – Dec 31, 12″ Minimum Size, 2 per person bag

Porgy (Scup):
Jan 1 – Jan 30, 10″ Minimum Size, 30 per person bag
Sep 1 – Dec 31, 10″ Minimum Size, 30 per person bag

Striped Bass:
Ocean (State Waters 0-3NM): No Closed Season, 28-31″ Slot, 1 per person bag
Ocean (Federal Waters (>3MN): Closed Season, Prohibited
Bays/Rivers: Mar 1 – Dec 31, 28-31″ Slot, 1 per person bag
*See NJFW for special exceptions & NJ SBBP

Tautog (Tog / Blackfish):
Jan 1 – Feb 28 & Apr 1 – Apr 30, 15″ Minimum Size, 4 per person bag
Aug 1 – Nov 15, 15″ Minimum Size, 1 per person bag
Nov 16 – Dec 31, 15″ Minimum Size, 5 per person bag

Weakfish:
No Closed Season, 13″ Minimum Size, 1 per person bag

For the entire list of NJ saltwater fishing regulations see below and be sure to save the pdf link or print it out for future reference.

2024 NJ Fishing Regs, Seasons, Size & Bag Limit Laws

Click To Here To Download Printable PDF Version

All attempts made to ensure accuracy; however, fishery rules are subject to change. The data conveniently complied above was derived from the NJ Fish & Wildlife and NOAA Fisheries.

Original Post: Feb 23, 2024

With the spring fishing season approaching, everyone is asking us… What are the 2024 fishing regulations?

One would think these decisions would be made well in advance of the season however thats not the case. Due to the levels complexity with so many different regulatory bodies each one’s decision basically works down the line in a chain reaction. This year expect the NJ recreation fishing regulations to be finalized at the NJMFC meeting on 3/7 in Galloway 5pm.

Here’s Anthony Butch with more than his handful after a fun wreck fishing trip.

For the most part everything is the same except for the following 2024 changes…

• Summer Flounder: 28% Reduction – See the list of 6 options in the chart below which are currently on the table. These all passed technical committee review confirming they meet the reduction mandate. *Update: The Summer Flounder Advisory Board meeting 2/28/24, all advisors were in favor of option 32. Since these advisors talk to a lot of the public and many different stake holder groups, it’s safe to say the majority is in favor of 32. For what it is worth, based on the social media posts that we made 80% were in favor of option 32. Option 57 had 9% and Option 23 has 7%.
• Porgy/Scup: 10% Reduction – Expect a 30 fish bag at a 10″ minimum size with a with first half of the year season running 1/1/24 to 6/30/24 and then a second half season 9/1 to 12/31.

Yes we couldn’t believe the ASMFC news either but lets be honest going from last years reg to potentially 3 fish at 18″ looks like a win and liberalization and not a cut in most anglers eyes.

The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council is seeking public comment on the 2024 NJ Recreational Summer Flounder options. The 6 are listed above, but note status quo is not an option and only there for reference. Written comments will be accepted through March 4, 2024 (11:59 p.m.) to njmarinefishpubliccomment@dep.nj.gov.

Submitted comments will become part of the public record for the NJ MFC public meeting 3/7/24 5pm at the Atlantic County Library, Galloway Township Branch, 306 East Jimmie Leeds Rd, Galloway, NJ.