This is the Official New Jersey Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the New Jersey state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
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Weather its New Jersey Trout fishing, New Jersey bass fishing, New Jersey striper fishing, New Jersey Salmon fishing, New Jersey Catfish fishing, New Jersey steelhead fishing, New Jersey Panfish fishing, New Jersey pike/muskie fishing, New Jersey Walleye fishing,  New Jersey Marlin Fishing, New Jersey Salt Water Fishing, New Jersey Tuna fishing, New Jersey Tarpon fishing, New Jersey Snook fishing, New Jersey Red fish fishing We have the New Jersey state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need New Jersey fishing maps, New Jersey state fishing maps, or just some New Jersey fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

New Jersey Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to New Jersey, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Manasquan Reservoir, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, Oak Ridge Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir, Swartswood Lake, Union Lake, Wanaque Reservoir and others. Many of the lakes in New Jersey have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. New Jersey is well known for excellent Bass, Walleye and Trout fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Crappie, Catfish, Stripers, Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin, Sturgeon and sunfish including Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in New Jersey by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in New Jersey.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the New Jersey area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

Major lakes including Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Manasquan Reservoir, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, Oak Ridge Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir, Swartswood Lake, Union Lake and Wanaque Reservoir all have healthy populations of bass. Many smaller lakes, ponds and some rivers also contain bass.

The New Jersey state record largemouth bass was pulled from Menantico Sand Wash Pond and the NJ state record smallmouth bass was caught out of Round Valley Reservoir.

Trout Fishing in New Jersey

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

Rockaway River and many of the major lakes including Lake Hopatcong, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, Oak Ridge Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir, Swartswood Lake and Wanaque Reservoir have one or more species of trout. Many other streams, rivers and some ponds also contain trout. Click here to find a list of New Jersey waters stocked with trout.

The New Jersey state record brook trout was pulled from Rockaway River. Both the NJ state record brown trout and the state record lake trout were taken out of Round Valley Reservoir. The New Jersey state record rainbow trout came from Lake Hopatcong.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is also known as Great Lakes trout, Mackinaw trout and salmon trout. It feeds on virtually all forms of flesh which abound in its home waters. Minnows, smelt, eels and any variety of small fishes are part of the lake trout's diet. It's rich flaky flesh makes it a tasty table favorite.

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.

Salmon Fishing in New Jersey

Salmon Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

Lake Wawayanda and Lake Aeroflex are the two lakes stocked with salmon in NJ. All other salmon fishing is in costal waters and the tributary waters flowing into the Atlantic ocean. The New Jersey state record atlantic salmon was pulled from New Wawayanda Lake.

Walleye Fishing in New Jersey

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

In addition to the Delaware River, major lakes including Greenwood Lake, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir and Swartswood Lake contain healthy populations of walleye. Walleye can also be found in other rivers, streams, small lakes and ponds throughout the state.

The New Jersey state record walleye was pulled from the Delaware River.

New Jersey walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for New Jersey walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in New Jersey

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

Although nice crappie are to be found in New Jersey, it may take a little looking. The major lakes with sizable schools of crappie include Merrill Creek Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir and Swartswood Lake. Of course, you can find crappie in smaller lakes, rivers, parks and ponds.

The New Jersey state record black crappie was pulled from Pompton Lake and the NJ state record white crappie came out of Mill Pond.

Catfish Fishing in New Jersey

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

Channel catfish and white catfish are found in many New Jersey waters. Major lakes with catfish include Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Manasquan Reservoir, Merrill Creek Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir, Swartswood Lake, Union Lake and Wanaque Reservoir. Rivers, small lakes and ponds are likely to contain catfish as well.

The New Jersey state record channel catfish was pulled from Lake Hopatcong and the NJ state record white catfish came from Dallenbach Pond.

Striper Fishing in New Jersey

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striper Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

The Delaware River, Manasquan Reservoir and Union Lake are great places to look for inland stripers. The costal waters and tributaries feeding into them also contain striped bass. The New Jersey state record striped bass was pulled from the Delaware River.

Fishing for Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin and Sturgeon in New Jersey.

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others.

Bowfin
Amia calva
World Record: 21.5 lbs.
Found in waters around Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the bowfin prefers water temperatures of the warmer climates. It has an exceptionally long dorsal fin which extends back to the tail, made of about 50 spines or rays. Near the upper tail is an eye spot. They have very sharp teeth and a nasty disposition when hooked. Handle with caution. They are most often caught on cut bait and crayfish. They put up quite a fight and are not considered good eating. The bowfin is also known as dogfish, mud pike, mudfish, grindle, swamp bass and others.

Sturgeon
Sturgeon have been captured weighing over 2,000 lbs at length in excess of 18 feet. They have been reported by divers to exist on the Columbia River up to 30-foot long. They are a prehistoric fish and have an exceptionally long life for a fish, commonly reaching sexual maturity at the age of 120 years. They are not sought for their meat, it's their egg roe which is made into caviar. They are found in major rivers feeding into the ocean and can be caught with cut bait, giant hooks, heavy weights and stout line. The larger ones can fight an angler for days and not tire out.

New Jersey Fishing Regulations Info Page     New Jersey Fishing Regulations Guidebook