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Fishing, hunting and trapping regulations are found within the Game Code and Fish Code and summarized in the corresponding issues of the Fish and Wildlife DIGEST. These regulations are based on Permanent Statute Title 23 and are revised periodically though amendments to the codes.

License types and fees, the Sunday hunting prohibition, and certain other regulations are the responsibility of the State Legislature. For information on any proposed Legislative law changes visit the State Legislature homepage and enter "hunting" or "fishing" in the "Keyword" search box - most, if not all, relevant bills will appear in the results.

 
New Jersey Permanent Statute Title 23 - Fish and Game, Wild Birds and Animals

Hunting Regulations
Fishing Regulations
Other Regulations

Revising Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Hunting and Fishing License Information
Fish and Wildlife Violations Information
NJ Child Support Certification Requirement Information

HUNTING REGULATIONS

2015-2016 Game Code (pdf, 345kb)
  Game Code Amendment: New Jersey Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, 2015 (pdf, 330kb)

arrow 2016-2017 Hunting and Trapping Digest (published in August)
arrow Hunting License Information
 
arrow 2016-2017 Deer Regulation Sets (pdf, 75kb)
arrow Deer Regulation Set Reference Chart and Zone Map
 
arrow 2016 Black Bear Regulations Summary (pdf, 260kb)
 
arrow 2016-17 Small Game Seasons Summary (pdf, 390kb)
arrow Air Gun Hunting In New Jersey
 
arrow 2016-2017 Wild Turkey Hunting Season Regulations and Information (pdf, 490kb)
arrow Turkey Hunting Area Map and Spring 2017 Lottery Quota Information
 
arrow 2016-2017 Migratory Bird Seasons Summary (pdf, 20kb)
arrow 2016-2017 Migratory Bird Seasons/Sunrise-Sunset Table Card (pdf, 265kb)
arrow Federal Regulations Pertaining to Migratory Birds (pdf, 34kb)
arrow Nontoxic Shot Regulations for Hunting Waterfowl and Coots (US FWS Site)
arrow Waterfowl Harvest Information Program (HIP)
 
arrow 2016-2017 Trapping Season Summary (pdf, 675kb)
arrow 2016-2017 Beaver/Otter Trapping Season Booklet (pdf, 1.9mb)
arrow Beaver and Otter Management Zone Map - Low Resolution (jpg, 100kb) High Resolution (jpg, 900kb)
arrow Beaver and Otter Management Zone Descriptions (pdf, 26kb)
 
arrow Permit Information
arrow Farmer Information
arrow Dog Training Rules (pdf, 28kb)
arrow Commercial Shooting Preserve Information
arrow Semi-wild Shooting Preserve Information
arrow Deer Management Assistance Program Regulations (pdf, 114kb)
arrow Safety Zone Information (pdf, 58kb)

FISHING REGULATIONS - FRESHWATER

2016-2017 Fish Code (pdf, 150kb)

arrow Freshwater Herring Closure
 
arrow 2017 Freshwater Fishing Issue of the Fish and Wildlife DIGEST
arrow 2017 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary (except trout) (pdf, 450kb)
arrow 2017 Trout Regulations Summary (pdf, 210kb)
arrow 2016 Trout Regulations Summary (pdf, 215kb)
arrow 2017 Holdover Trout Lakes (Salmon-Trout) Regulations (pdf, 110kb)
 
arrow Fishing License Information

FISHING REGULATIONS - MARINE

NOTE: Many marine species are managed on a coast-wide basis with seasons and limits required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Those regulations must then be approved by our state's Marine Fisheries Council. The Council usually addresses these issues at their March meeting with the management measures becoming effective in mid- to late April or early May. The Marine Digest is published in May. Regulations remain in effect until changed.

For information on saltwater regulations changes, check this page and our homepage for news releases, subscribe to the NJ Marine Fishing E-mail List for automatic notification, or call the "listen-only" line at 609-292-2083. Marine Fisheries staff can be contacted at 609-748-2020.

Marine Fish Code (Proceed to Title 7, Chapter 25, Subchapters 14, 18 and 22)

arrow 2016 Summer Flounder/Black Sea Bass Regulations
arrow Administration Proposes Rule to Close All Harvesting of Diamondback Terrapins - DEP News Release, 5/16/16
arrow Regulations Pertaining To the Use of Commercial Fishing Gear On Sandy Hook and Axel Carlson Reefs
arrow Saltwater Registry Information
 
arrow 2016 Marine Issue of the Fish and Wildlife DIGEST (published in May) Regulations accurate at time of publication; changes noted above
arrow 2016 Recreational Marine Fishing Regulations Summary Sheet (pdf, 380kb)
arrow 2016 Marine Recreational Minimum Size, Possession Limits and Seasons Summary Card (pdf, 90kb)
 
arrow 2016 Commercial Marine Fishing Regulations (pdf, 200kb)
arrow Commercial Quotas and Trip Limit Information
 
arrow Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (Certified Shellfish Dealers) - US FDA site
arrow Shark Species That Can Be Legally Retained by Recreational Anglers (pdf, NOAA site)
arrow Marine Licenses and Permits
arrow Non-commercial Crab Pot Regulations (pdf, 17kb)
arrow Crab Pot Excluder Information

OTHER REGULATIONS

arrow Wildlife Management Area Regulations
arrow Freshwater Fisheries Permits
arrow Scientific Collecting Permits
arrow Canada Goose Control Information (pdf, 18kb)
arrow Wildlife Relocation Policy (pdf, 60kb)
 
Captive Game Species
arrow Captive Game Regulations (pdf, 39kb)
arrow Captive Game Information and Permit Application Forms (Including Skunks)
 
Exotic and Nongame Species
arrow Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Species Regulations, N.J.A.C. (pdf, 4.4mb)
arrow Exotic and Nongame Species Requiring a Permit for Possession (pdf, 26kb)
arrow Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Species Exempt From Required Possession Permit (pdf, 27kb)
arrow Exotic and Nongame Potentially Dangerous Wildlife Species
arrow Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Permit Application Forms (Including Hobby Permit)
arrowPermit FAQs
arrow Pet Shop/Animal Dealer Information (pdf, 46kb)

ADDITIONAL LINKS

arrow Bureau of Law Enforcement
arrow License Agents
arrow Boat Registration Information - NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
arrow Boat Operator License Information - NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
arrow Forms
 
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Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: January 18, 2017