2021 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary (Except Trout)
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License Information Summary of Fishing Regulations 2021 REGULATIONS 2021 REGULATIONS Regulations in red are new this year. permits and stamps. These privileges are not avail- • Fish may be taken only in the manner known as able using Fish and Wildlife’s website. However, the angling with handline or with rod and line, or NJ Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs can issue as otherwise allowed by law. Licenses fishing licenses through their DMAVA website at • When fishing from the shoreline, no more than • A valid New Jersey fishing license is required for www.nj.gov/military/iasd/fishing.html. For all other three fishing rods, handlines or combination residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years free sporting licenses, call (609) 530-6866, email thereof may be used (except on the Delaware of age (plus all non-residents 16 years and older) [email protected], or write to: MSG (Ret.) River. There is no rod limit when fishing from to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey, including Robert Greco, NJ DMAVA, 101 Eggert Crossing a boat except for the Delaware River.) For the privately owned waters. See page 17 for informa- Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Delaware River the three rod limit applies both tion on the money-saving Buddy Fishing License� to boat and shoreline anglers (see page 28). • For fishing-related license and permit fees, see Veterans Licenses, Stamps and Permits • Only one daily creel of any fish species may be in page 1. See below for Purchasing a License. Free hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and possession. Additional fish may be caught once • Resident anglers age 70 and over do not require a permits are available for resident veterans with the creel is reached if immediately returned to fishing license. A driver license or other acceptable a service-connected disability� the water unharmed. proof of age containing date of birth and physical For the purposes of this program, legislation defines • Separate stringers or buckets must be used for description will serve as the actual fishing license. disabled veterans as “…any resident of New Jersey each angler’s catch. Non-residents 70 and over must purchase a license. who has been honorably discharged or released under • Boats may contain only the combined daily creel • License must be visibly displayed on outer clothing. honorable circumstances from active service from any limit for each legal angler on board. • License and trout stamp are both valid from date branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and • A fishing license does not authorize trespass of purchase through Dec. 31. who has been declared by the United States Depart- on private property. Permission first must be • A person must reside in New Jersey for at least ment of Veteran Affairs, or its successor, to have a obtained from the landowner. the previous six months to obtain a resident service-connected disability of any degree…” fishing license. Newly applying disabled veterans can obtain their It Is Unlawful To: • Farmers and immediate family members who live hunting and fishing licenses and stamps by mailing • Fish within 100 feet (or as posted) of any fish lad- on the farm do not need a license to fish on their the application and all required documentation der entrance or exit from March 1 through June 30. own farm, but must obey all fishing regulations. to: NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Dis- • Spear fish in fresh waters. See exception for • Anyone convicted of a second fish or wildlife abled Veteran Licensing, MC 501-03, PO Box 420 Delaware River, page 28. violation in this or another state within a period Trenton, NJ 08625-0420. • Possess a fishing device with more than nine of five years will have his or her New Jersey sport- Fish and Wildlife offices will no longer accept hooks in total, or more than three treble hooks, ing licenses revoked for a minimum of two years. Disabled Veteran Certifications in person. For except for the Delaware River; see page 28. more information and updates, go to NJFishand- • Use set lines. Trout Stamps Wildlife.com/dvinfo.htm. • Use cast nets in freshwater lakes or trout stocked All licenses, stamps and permits for which the waters. See Baitfish Regulations, page 31 for other A valid fishing license and trout stamp are both veteran is eligible will be free of charge. This does exclusions. required to fish for or possess trout and salmon for not give preferential treatment in any lottery. For • Foul hook or snag any species of fish. This does all anglers (residents and non-residents) 16 and over, questions call (609) 292-2965. not apply to fish taken through the ice. and residents under the age of 70. No trout stamp is required for residents age 70 years and over. Disabled Veteran Applicants: Bow and Arrow Fishing 1. Documentation of current benefits for a service- Carp (including bighead, common and grass), eels, connected disability and proof of honorable dis- flathead catfish, American shad (Delaware River Purchasing a License charge (such as a copy of your DD-214, VA card only), gizzard shad, snakeheads and suckers or Licenses may be purchased by phone at (888) 773- or monthly check stub) must be presented to hybrids of these species—may be taken at any time 8450, online at www.NJ.WildlifeLicense.com or at obtain a disabled veteran certification. by use of a bow and arrow (with a line attached to the license agents such as sporting goods stores plus 2. Applicant must provide a hunter education arrow) when in possession of a valid fishing license. bait and tackle shops. Call first to be sure the agent’s course certificate applicable to the license for Crossbows may be used when bowfishing except system is active. Visit NJFishandWildlife.com for which he or she is applying or a previously issued for Greenwood Lake. Crossbows must have a stock details, or call (609) 292-2965. resident archery or firearm license or rifle per- length of at least 25 inches, a minimum draw pull mit. Resident licenses from other states will be weight of 75 pounds and a working safety. Cross- accepted if the license indicates the sporting arm bows must be uncocked during transport or when Replacement — for which it was valid. Non-resident licenses not actively fishing. They may not be permanently Lost License or Stamp from other states are not acceptable. mounted. Anglers should be aware that some 3. To obtain the free disabled veteran deer/turkey municipalities have banned the discharge of bow A license, permit or stamp can be replaced at any permits one must have a free disabled vet- and arrow, tethered arrow or not� As such, anglers license agent or online at Fish and Wildlife’s Internet first eran hunting license. are strongly urged to check with the waterbody license sales site, www.NJ.WildlifeLicense.com also owner and/or individual municipality prior to linked through our regular website at NJFishand- engaging in bowfishing� See regulations for the Wildlife.com or by phone at (888) 773-8450. For the Blind Delaware River and Greenwood Lake, pages 28–30. Residents afflicted with total blindness may obtain a free license. Call (609) 292-2965 for an Emergency Closures Special Licenses application. Servicemen and Servicewomen It is illegal to fish or attempt to catch or kill fish by any manner or means in any waters for which the Director A person who is on active duty in the armed ser- of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, upon approval vices of the United States is entitled to fish with a Summary of General by the Fish and Game Council, issues an emergency resident fishing license. Fishing Regulations closure notice. Such notification is effective and/ New Jersey National Guard The season, size and creel limits for freshwater or rescinded immediately upon public notification. species apply to all waters of the state, including Emergency closures shall be based upon imminent Only New Jersey National Guard personnel in tidal waters� threat to the well-being of the fishery resources, and/ good standing are entitled to free sporting licenses, 16 | New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest NJFishandWildlife.com 2021 Freshwater Issue Summary of Fishing Regulations 2021 REGULATIONS or its users, and may include any exceptions to the Water Supply Reservoirs Open To Fishing By Permit Only total ban of fishing that the Director deems practical. Permits must be obtained from the specific reservoir owner listed below. A valid fishing license is also required. Ice Fishing Waterbody County Type of Fishing Fee Permit Source No more than five devices per person may be used Echo Lake when fishing through the ice. The devices that may Newark Watershed reservoir permits Passaic be used are: available in person only at these locations: Clinton Reservoir Boat & 1. Ice supported tip-ups or lines with one single Yes Shoreline City of Newark pointed hook attached, or one burr of three 223 Echo Lake Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 hooks that measure not more than ½-inch from Oak Ridge Reservoir Morris (973) 697-1724 Newark-Pequannock point to shaft; ReservoirsWatershed Canistear Reservoir Sussex 2. An artificial jigging lure with not more than one Oradell Reservoir United Water Company burr of three hooks that measure not more than 461 From Rd. Paramus, NJ 07652 -inch from point to point; Woodcliff Lake ½ Bergen Shoreline only Yes Suez Watershed Application 3. An artificial jigging lure with not more than Lake Tappan Reservoir (201) 767-9300 x3208 three single hooks measuring not more than Lake Deforest www.suezwatershed.com ½-inch from point to shaft; 4.