New Jersey fishing seasons

12 species profiles in our database list New Jersey waters among their fisheries — including Summer Flounder, Striped Bass, Pacific Bonito, Atlantic Bonito. Below: what's in season month by month, where to fish, and the licence source you need. Seasons shift year to year; the official agency has the final word.

New Jersey fishing calendar, month by month

Each month links to the species in season then, from our season windows. A month is charted when at least 3 species are in season.

Freshwater species in New Jersey

Species	Season
Banded Killifish	Often most active in warm months; check local rules
Mummichog	Often most active in warm months; check local rules
Rainwater Killifish	Often most active in warm months; check local rules
Sheepshead Minnow	Often most active in warm months; check local rules

Saltwater & brackish species in New Jersey

Species	Season
Atlantic Bonito	Late Spring–Fall in many regions; varies by current/temperature
Blackfin Tuna	Highly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
Longtail Tuna	Highly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
Pacific Bonito	Late Spring–Fall in many regions; varies by current/temperature
Pacific Chub Mackerel	Varies by migration, temperature, region, and regulation
Southern Bluefin Tuna	Highly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
Striped Bass	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Summer Flounder	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov

Where to fish in New Jersey

• Northeast US offshore (MA/NJ)

Fishing in the Northeast

Maine · New Hampshire · Vermont · Massachusetts · Rhode Island · Connecticut · New York · Pennsylvania · Maryland · Delaware · District of Columbia