Get Your Saltwater Fishing License in New Jersey

New Jersey offers some great saltwater fishing both recreationally and commercially. While you do not need a recreational saltwater license for New Jersey, you do need to register with the state’s saltwater registry. Commercial anglers are required to possess a saltwater fishing license.

In this article, you will learn who needs to possess a saltwater fishing license in New Jersey, how to fish in New Jersey marine waters for free, what the saltwater fishing regulations are, as well as information about freshwater fishing in New Jersey.

Do You Need a Saltwater Fishing License in New Jersey?

To begin, you are not required to possess a saltwater fishing license while deep-sea, bay fishing, or recreational surfcasting in New Jersey state marine waters. There are some license requirements for specialized marine harvesting activities such as clamming, crabbing, tuna fishing, and commercial saltwater fishing.

These licenses and permits are available for purchase by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Marine Fisheries.

Free New Jersey Saltwater Fishing, But What Do I Need to Do?

All saltwater anglers are required to register with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry if fishing in marine state waters. Registering is free of charge and anglers registered through the state do not need to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry. This registry is managed by the federal government.

New Jersey Saltwater Fishing Regulations

All saltwater anglers must be registered with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry if fishing in New Jersey marine waters. In addition, anglers must abide by daily possession and size limits for designated species as determined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Seasonal closures of certain areas as well as for certain species in addition to prohibited species to harvest are also outlined by the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Map of New Jersey

New Jersey Freshwater License

Any angler over the age of fifteen fishing in public or private waters in the state of New Jersey is required to possess a valid New Jersey freshwater fishing license. Fishing licenses are available for purchase from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website, or from any valid licensing vendor.

 

 

Subsequently, any angler fishing for trout must also purchase a trout stamp in addition to their freshwater fishing license. New Jersey residents older than 69 years of age are exempt from possessing a fishing license.

 

 

Free freshwater fishing licenses are available for New Jersey residents who are legally blind, resident veterans with service-related disabilities, and National Guard service members. Military personnel on active duty can purchase a New Jersey license at the resident rate.

 

 

Prices for New Jersey freshwater fishing licenses are outlined below.

 

 

License Type

Resident Price

Non-Resident Price

Two Day

N/A

$9

Seven Day

N/A

$19.50

Annual (ages 16 to 64)

$22.50

$34

Annual (ages 65 to 69)

$12.50

$34

Trout Stamp

$10.50

$20

 

 

Finally, annual combination licenses which include freshwater fishing and bow and firearm hunting are also available for New Jersey residents at a cost of $72.25.

 

For getting a license in nearby states, check out our page.