Fish Identification
1(:-(56(<)5(6+:$7(5),6+(6
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Lake Trout
Northern Pike
Chain Pickerel
Muskellunge
Redfin Pickerel
Hybrid Striped Bass
Rainbow Trout
Yellow Perch
Striped Bass
Walleye
White Perch
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon
24 | 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest Buy your license or permit online at January 2012
NJFishandWildlife.com
Fish Identification
1(:-(56(<)5(6+:$7(5),6+(6
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Bluegill Sunfish
Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish
White Crappie
Channel Catfish
White Catfish
Common Carp
White Sucker
Brown Bullhead
Illustrations: Duane Raver/USFWS
American Shad
Black Crappie
January 2012 For more information contact New Jersey 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest | 25
Division of Fish and Wildlife at (609)292-2965
Fishing Regulations
6,=(6($621$1'&5((//,0,76
Certain waters are closed to fishing for all species from March 19 to April 7, 2012 at 8 a.m. because of trout stocking.
Refer to pages 18–19 for complete lists and exceptions. For Delaware River and Greenwood Lake, see regulations on pages 28–29.
SEASON LOCATION MINIMUM SIZE
DAILY
LIMIT
LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS
Jan. 1 – April 14
April 15 – June 15
Catch & Release only
(all waters)
June 16–Dec. 31
Statewide
(exceptions below)
12 inches 5 combined
Lunker Bass Lakes:
Alloway, Assunpink, Parvin,
Delaware lakes, Splitrock
Reservoir
15 inches 3 combined
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Conservation Regulations:
Ryker Lake
15 inches 2 combined
Year-Round Lake Audrey Catch & Release only 0
NORTHERN PIKE, TIGER MUSKY, MUSKELLUNGE
Open year round
March 20–May 20 are
Catch & Release only
for
Echo Lake Reservoir,
Mercer Lake,
Mountain Lake,
Monksville Reservoir
Statewide
Northern Pike:
24 inches
2
Statewide
(exceptions below)
Tiger Musky &
Muskellunge:
36 inches
1 combined
Northern Pike
Trophy Musky Waters:
Mountain & Echo Lake
reservoirs
Tiger Musky &
Muskellunge:
40 inches
Muskellunge
CHAIN PICKEREL AND REDFIN PICKEREL
Chain Pickerel
Open year round Statewide 15 inches 5 combined
WALLEYE
Walleye
Jan. 1 – Feb. 29
March 1 – April 30
Catch & Release only
May 1– Dec. 31
Statewide 18 inches 3
STRIPED BASS (freshwater only)
Striped bass regulations are subject to change. Consult our Web site NJFishandWildlife.com and the news media for updates.
Striped Bass
March 1– Dec. 31 Statewide 28 inches 2
HYBRID STRIPED BASS (freshwater only)
Striped bass regulations are subject to change. Consult our Web site NJFishandWildlife.com and the news media for updates.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Open year round Statewide (exceptions below) 16 inches 2
March 1– Dec. 31
Raritan River
(downstream of
Duke Island Park dam)
28 inches 2
26 | 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest Buy your license or permit online at January 2012
NJFishandWildlife.com
Fishing Regulations
6,=(6($621$1'&5((//,0,76
SEASON LOCATION MINIMUM SIZE
DAILY
LIMIT
AMERICAN SHAD
American Shad
Open year round Statewide No minimum size 3
CHANNEL CATFISH
Channel Catfish
Open year round Statewide 12 inches 5
CRAPPIE (BLACK AND WHITE)
Crappie
Open year round Statewide 8 inches
10
combined
SUNFISH and ALL OTHER SPECIES WITH NO SPECIFIED CREEL LIMITS
Rock Bass, White Perch,
Yellow Perch, Sunfish (see below for sunfish
exceptions), Bullheads, White Catfish,
Suckers, Carp, Bowfin, Pumpkinseed and all
other species with no specified creel limit.
Open year round
Statewide (exceptions below) No minimum size 25 combined
Conservation Regulation
Ryker Lake
Sunfish: 7 inches 10 combined
Yellow Perch:
No minimum size
10
Conservation Regulation
Rainbow Lake (Salem Co.)
Sunfish: 7 inches 10 combined
BANDED, BLACKBANDED, BLUESPOTTED AND MUD SUNFISH
Banded Sunfish*
Blackbanded Sunfish*
Closed Statewide Protected 0
Bluespotted Sunfish*
Mud Sunfish
FRESHWATER BAITFISH (See page 30 for complete description of gear types and restrictions)
Alewife** (anadromous and land-locked forms),
Blueback Herring, Golden Shiner, Banded
Killifish, Mummichog, Spotfin Killifish, Rainwater
Killifish, American Brook Lamprey, Fathead
Minnow, Bluntnose Minnow, Tadpole Madtom,
Margined Madtom, All Shiners, Daces,
Minnows, Gizzard Shad and American Eel
Open year round
Exceptions
Baitfish may not be
taken in trout stocked
waters from
March 19 to June 15
Statewide
No minimum
Exception
American Eel:
6 inches
35 combined,
of which no
more than ten
may be alewife
or blue-back
herring
**
* Illustrations by Ted Walke, PA Fish and Boat Commission
** DUE TO SERIOUS DECLINES IN RIVER HERRING NUMBERS, THE TAKING OF ALEWIFE AND BLUEBACK HERRING IS ANTICIPATED TO BE
PROHIBITED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012. BE SURE TO CHECK FISH AND WILDLIFE’S WEB SITE, NJFishandWildlife.com, FOR UPDATES.
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
January 2012 For more information contact New Jersey 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest | 27
Division of Fish and Wildlife at (609)292-2965
Delaware River
• New Jersey and Pennsylvania fishing licenses are both recognized
when fishing the Delaware River from a boat or either shoreline. This
applies to the main stem of the river only.
• Anglers may launch a boat from either shore and on return, may have
in possession any fish which may be legally taken according to the
regulations of the state where the landing is made.
• No more than
three rods, each with one line, or two hand lines—or
one of each—may be used. No more than three single hooks or three
treble hooks per line.
• To protect spawning striped bass, from the Calhoun Street bridge near
Trenton downstream to the Commodore Barry Bridge at Bridgeport,
non-offset circle hooks must be used when using bait with a #2 sized
hook or larger, from April 1 to May 30.
• Spears (not mechanically propelled) and bow and arrows may be used
to take carp, catfish, shad and suckers except within 825 feet of an eel
weir. A valid fishing license is required.
• Baitfish may be taken and possessed for personal use and are not to
be bartered or sold.
• A Delaware fishing license is now required for anglers aged 16 and
over fishing the Delaware Bay and Delaware River between the
upstream tip of Artificial Island and the Delaware-Pennsylvania state
line. In that section of the river, the Delaware state boundary extends
to the New Jersey shoreline. However, when fishing from shore in
New Jersey along that section of the river, a Delaware fishing license
is not required. Delaware fishing license information can be found at
http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/NewFishingLicense.aspx.
Species Open Seasons Minimum Length Daily Limit
Bass, Largemouth & Smallmouth
Jan. 1– April 13
12 inches 5 combined
June 16–Dec. 31
April 14–June 15 Catch and release only Catch and release only
Eel, American
**
Open year round
Pennsylvania: 8 inches
(but 6–8 inches for baitfish)
New Jersey: 6 inches
50
Herring, Alewife and Blueback
*
Open year round No minimum 10 combined
Muskellunge & Hybrids
Open year round 40 inches 1
Pickerel, Chain
Open year round 12 inches 5
Pike, Northern
Open year round 24 inches 2
Shad, American
Open year round No minimum 3
Shad, Hickory
Closed — —
Striped Bass & Hybrids
(upstream of Calhoun St. Bridge)
March 1–Dec. 31 28 inches 2
Striped Bass & Hybrids
***
(downstream of Calhoun St. Bridge)
March 1– 30
28 inches 2
June 1– Dec. 31
Sturgeon, Atlantic and Shortnose
Closed — —
Trout
April 14 at 8 a.m.– Oct. 15 No minimum 5
Walleye
Open year round 18 inches 3
All Other Freshwater Species
Open year round No minimum No limit
Baitfish
Open year round No minimum 50
*
DUE TO SERIOUS DECLINES IN RIVER HERRING NUMBERS, THE
TAKING OF ALEWIFE AND BLUEBACK HERRING IS ANTICIPATED
TO BE PROHIBITED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012. BE SURE TO
CHECK FISH AND WILDLIFE’S WEB SITE, NJFishandWildlife.com,
FOR UPDATES.
**
Pennsylvania also enforces an 8-inch minimum on American Eel. Eel
used as bait must be at least 6 inches and no greater than 8 inches in
length. Daily limit of 50.
***
Pennsylvania allows anglers to harvest a daily limit of two striped bass
measuring 20 to 26 inches for a two month period from April 1, 2012
through May 31, 2012, from the Calhoun St. Bridge in Trenton down-
stream to the Pennsylvania state line. New Jersey still has a closed
season. Anglers fishing the Delaware River from the New Jersey
shoreline, or returning to New Jersey by boat and/or car in April and
May must abide by New Jersey’s striped bass regulations. Possession
of striped bass in New Jersey is illegal during this time period.
• A listing of fishing access locations along the Delaware River is avail-
able at Fish and Wildlife’s Web site, NJFishandWildlife.com, under
Freshwater Fishing.
• Delaware River Basin Commission recreation maps are available
for $25. An order form is available online at www.state.nj.us/drbc/
recreation.htm.
• Information for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is
available online at www.nps.gov/dewa.
Fishing Regulations
%281'$5<:$7(56
Nicholas A. Tonelli
This is not the full law. Consult the Division of Fish and Wildlife for further details.
All persons are reminded that the statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities.
Regulations in red are new this year. Purple text indicates an important note.
28 | 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest Buy your license or permit online at January 2012
NJFishandWildlife.com
Fishing Regulations
%281'$5<:$7(56
Greenwood Lake
• New York and New Jersey fishing licenses are both recognized
anywhere on the lake or along the shoreline.
• Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day.
• In compliance with New York regulations, only certified virus-free bait-
fish may be transported to, or used on, the portion of Greenwood Lake
owned by the State of New York. Anglers are urged to use only certi-
fied virus-free baitfish when fishing any portion of Greenwood Lake.
• Bow and arrow fishing for all carp, sucker, herring, catfish and eel is
permitted. A valid fishing license is required.
• No more than five tip-ups and two hand-held devices may be used
when ice fishing. All devices that are not hand held must be plainly
marked with the name and address of the angler.
Species Open Seasons Minimum Length Daily Limit
Bass, Largemouth & Smallmouth
Jan. 1– June 15 Catch and release only
June 16–Dec. 1 12 inches 5 combined
Dec. 1–Dec. 31 Catch and release only
Catfish, Channel
Open year round 12 inches 5
Crappie, Black & White
Open year round 8 inches 10 combined
Muskellunge & Hybrids
Open year round 36 inches 1
Perch, Yellow
Open year round No minimum 50
Pickerel, Chain
Open year round 15 inches 5
Sunfish
Open year round No minimum 50 combined
Walleye
Jan. 1–Feb. 29 18 inches 3
March 1– April 30 Catch and release only
May 1–Dec. 31 18 inches 3
All Other Species
Open year round No minimum No limit
Luke H. Gordon
`` FRESHWATER FISHERIES FORUMS
1st Forum:
Feb. 25, 2012; 10 a.m.
Batsto Village Visitor’s Center
in Wharton State Forest
2nd Forum:
Dec. 1, 2012; 10 a.m.
Hackettstown Hatchery, Warren County
Come and share your views and
recommendations for the future of
freshwater fisheries in New Jersey
and learn about current research,
management and fish culture activities!
The forum at Hackettstown will include a
tour of the fish production facilities.
For more information or to pre-register
(helpful, but not required) please call
(908) 236-2118 or send an e-mail to
[email protected]. E-mails should
include name, address, phone number
and number of people attending.
Presented by NJ Department of
Environmental Protection’s Division
of Fish and Wildlife
Note the fluorescent tag behind
the eye of this wild brook trout
which was marked and released
for a trout movement study.
Shawn Crouse/NJ Div. Fish and Wildlife
January 2012 For more information contact New Jersey 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest | 29
Division of Fish and Wildlife at (609)292-2965
Baitfish
5(*8/$7,216
Baitfish Regulations*
BAITFISH SPECIES
Baitfish species: alewife (anadromous and landlocked Forms), blueback herring, golden shiner, banded
killifish, mummichog, spotfin killifish, rainwater killifish, American brook lamprey, fathead minnow, bluntnose
minnow, tadpole madtom, margined madtom, all shiners, daces, minnows, chubs and the American eel.
In the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, alewife and blueback herring (anadromous
and landlocked forms) are regulated as food fish with a one-day possession limit of 10 in aggregate.
(See separate regulations for boundary waters, pages 28–29.)
Season Location Minimum size Daily limit
Open year round
Exception
Season closed March 19– June 15
on trout stocked waters and
special regulation trout areas
Statewide
(freshwaters)
No minimum size
Exception
American eel: 6
inches
35 per day species
combined, of which
no more than ten may
be alewife or
blueback herring*
Notes: Any person with a valid fishing license (or
those under 16 and residents 70 years or older)
may take baitfish in fresh waters. Possession limit
is one day’s limit, regardless of the intent to use
these fish. Baitfish may be taken from the fresh
waters of the state in numbers greater than 35
per day, in lakes over 250 acres, under a special
permit issued by Fish and Wildlife at its discretion.
Contact (908) 236-2118 for application information.
Gear Gear Description
Seine
Not over 50 feet long in ponds and lakes over 100 acres; in all other waters not over
30 feet in length.
Exception: In trout-stocked waters and special regulation trout areas a seine may not
be more than 10 feet in length and 4 feet in depth.
Minnow Trap
Not larger than 24 inches in length with a funnel mouth no greater than 2 inches in
diameter.
Umbrella Net
No greater than 3.5 feet square.
Dip Net
Not more than 24 inches in diameter; may be used only for alewife or blueback herring.
Cast Net
No greater than 8 feet in diameter; may be used only in streams that are not trout-
stocked or special regulation trout areas (may not be used in lakes).
Hook And Line
Maximum of nine single hooks or three hooks with three burrs per contrivance on all
waters except the Delaware River where only three single hooks are permitted.
* DUE TO SERIOUS DECLINES IN RIVER HERRING NUMBERS, THE TAKING
OF ALEWIFE AND BLUEBACK HERRING IS ANTICIPATED TO BE PROHIBITED
BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012. BE SURE TO CHECK FISH AND WILDLIFE’S WEB SITE,
NJFishandWildlife.com, FOR UPDATES.
Turtle and Frog Regulations
Species Season Location Minimum Size Daily Limit
Snapping Turtle
January 1– April 30
June 16 – December 31
Statewide No minimum 3 per day
Bull Frog and
Green Frog
January 1– March 31
July 1– December 31
Statewide No minimum
15 per day,
combined
MEANS OF TAKE
Any person with a valid fishing license or those
entitled to fish without a license may take snap-
ping turtles, bull frogs, and green frogs by means
of spears, hooks, dip nets (not more than 24 inch-
es in diameter), traps or by hand. Snapping turtles
may not be taken with a gun or bow and arrow.
Snapping turtles, bull frogs, and green frogs
may be taken in numbers greater than the daily
limit under a commercial harvest permit issued
by Fish and Wildlife at its discretion. Contact
(908) 236-2118 for application information.
Motor Boat Registration
and Title Requirements
NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
Registration
Most boats must be registered to operate on
New Jersey waterways.
• All titled boats must be registered also.
• Any boat (including jet skis and non-titled
watercraft), mechanically propelled (incl.
electric motors), regardless of length,
must be registered.
• Boats greater than 12 feet in length,
regardless of propulsion means, must be
titled and registered at an MVC office.
Boats and marine equipment which need not
be registered:
• Those not based in New Jersey or operating
here less than 180 consecutive days that
are operating under a federally approved
numbering system from another state
• Ship’s lifeboats
• Non-motorized vessels used exclusively on
small lakes and ponds on private property
• Racing vessels with New Jersey State
Marine Police permit
• Non-motorized inflatable device, surfboard,
racing shell, dinghy, canoe or kayak
• Non-motorized vessel less than 12 feet in
length
Title
For use on New Jersey waterways, all boats
more than 12 feet in length must be titled,
with the exception of ship’s lifeboat, canoe,
kayak, inflatable, surfboard, rowing scull,
racing shell, tender/dinghy used for direct
transportation between a vessel and shore for
no other purposes.
Boat Operator License (MVC)
An operator license is required to operate
power vessels on fresh, non-tidal waters such
as lakes, creeks and rivers. (Minimum age 16
years; with certain exceptions.)
For More Information:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
(888) 486-3339 toll free in NJ or
(609) 292-6500 from out-of-state
www.nj.gov/mvc/
Boat Safety Certificate (NJSP)
A boat safety certificate (from an approved
boat safety course; see NJSP Web site, below)
is required to operate a personal watercraft or
power vessel, including electric motors, in NJ
waters (tidal and non-tidal).
New Jersey State Police (NJSP)
(609) 882-2000
www.njsp.org/maritime
MOTOR BOAT REGISTRATION & TITLE REQUIREMENTS
This is not the full law. Consult the Division of Fish and Wildlife for further details.
All persons are reminded that the statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities.
Regulations in red are new this year. Purple text indicates an important note.
See separate regulations for Delaware River (page 28).
For marine waters, see Marine Issue of
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest
.
30 | 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest Buy your license or permit online at January 2012
NJFishandWildlife.com
New Jersey’s
FREE Freshwater Fishing Days
June 16 and 17, 2012
On these two days, residents and non-
residents may fish New Jersey’s public fresh
waters without a license or trout stamp. All
other regulations, including size and daily
catch limits, remain in effect.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Annual Open House and
Fishermen’s Flea Market
March 31 and April 1, 2012
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource
Education Center
•
Wildlife Artists, Conservation Groups,
Taxidermists, Guides and Vendors!
• Kids can fish in our famous education pond!
3-D Archery Range –Kids Activities • And
More!
Pequest is located on Rt. 46, nine miles
west of Hackettstown. For information call
(908) 637-4125 or go to NJFishandWildlife.com
Take me shing!
The memories will last a lifetime.
Trout in the Classroom (TIC)
Trout in the Classroom
(TIC) is a science-
based program that
teaches children
the importance of
coldwater conserva-
tion through a hands-on
learning approach. Over 14,000 New Jersey stu-
dents participate in the TIC program annually.
Schools receive brook trout eggs in mid-Octo-
ber from our Pequest Trout Hatchery. Students
hatch and raise the trout, monitor water quality,
learn fish biology, anatomy and much more as
part of this cross-curricular, hands-on format.
At the end of the school year students release
their fish into approved streams.
Trout in the Classroom is an exciting, inexpen-
sive program enlivening year-round curricula
nationwide. For more information about the
TIC program, visit NJTroutInTheClassroom.org.
Teen Anglers Youth Days
9th Annual Pequest
July 21, 2012
New Jersey Teen Angler Chapters:
• Garfield New Jersey
John Nasuta
phantombuckusa@optonline.net
Go to http://www.teenanglers.org to register
and for more details!
oom
-
Show your support of Fish
and Wildlife activities and
programs.
`` DISPLAY YOUR LICENSE:
IT’S THE LAW!
© Justshootme | Dreamstime.com
Continue the Tradition
Become an instructor with Fish and
Wildlife’s Hunter Education Program.
Our Hunter Education Unit is looking
for New Jersey’s best sportsmen and
sportswomen to become instructors
at locations where students take the
test and field course after first having
completed the home study portion. A
minimum of six weekend days each year
are required.
Call (856) 629-0552
Leave your name and address to receive
an application. Or visit our Web site:
NJFishandWildlife.com
HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
January 2012 For more information contact New Jersey 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest | 31
Division of Fish and Wildlife at (609)292-2965
A fishing license is required to fish the fresh waters of the state. Locations listed below mark the change from salt water
(license not required) to fresh water. A fishing license is required at—and upstream of—these locations.
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Absecon Creek—Dam at Lower Atlantic City
Reservoir
Great Egg Harbor River—Power lines at confluence
of Gravelly Run
Middle River—None–all saline water
Mullica River—Line between Seventh Ave.,
Sweetwater, and ramp at Crowleys Landing
Nacote Creek—Port Republic dam
Patcong Creek—Bargaintown Lake dam
South River—Power lines immediately below Rt. 50
Tuckahoe River—First northerly tributary down-
stream of Rt. 49 bridge (McNeals Branch)
BERGEN COUNTY
Hackensack River—Cedar Lane Bridge between
Hackensack and Teaneck
Hudson River—None–all saline water
Passaic River—Required whole length
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Assiscunk Creek—Required whole length
Bass River State—Fir Bridge on Stage Rd. in Bass
River State Forest
Batsto River—Required whole length
Blacks Creek—Required whole length
Crosswicks Creek—Required whole length
Delaware River—Required whole length
Mullica River—Line between Seventh Ave.,
Sweetwater, and ramp at Crowleys Landing
Pennsauken Creek—Required whole length
Pompeston Creek—Required whole length
Rancocas Creek—Required whole length
Swedes Run—Required whole length
Wading River—Charcoal Landing, Chips Folly
Campground
CAMDEN COUNTY
License required on Delaware River and all other
waters
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Bidwells Creek—None–all saline water
Cedar Swamp Creek—None–all saline water
Dennis Creek—None–all saline water
East Creek—100 ft. below East Creek Lake dam,
Eldora
Tuckahoe River—First northerly tributary down-
stream of lower Rt. 49 bridge (McNeals Br.)
West Creek—100 feet below West Creek Lake dam
(Pickle Factory Pond)
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Andrews Creek—None–all saline water
Back Creek—None–all saline water
Cedar Creek—100 ft. downstream of Cedar Lake
dam
Cohansey River—Rt. 49 bridge at Bridgeton
Dividing Creek—Rt. 555 bridge
Fishing Creek—None–all saline water
Fortescue Cr./Branch of Oranoken Cr.—None–all
saline water
Manumuskin Creek—Required whole length
Maurice River—Mouth of Manumuskin Creek near
Port Elizabeth
Menantico Creek—Required whole length
Mill Creek—Tributary of Cohansey–Rt. 553 bridge, Fairton
Muskee Creek—S. side of bridge on Weathersby Rd.
Nantuxent Creek (Pages Run)—Rt. 553 north of
Frames Corner
Oranoken Creek—Whitecar Mill, North of Beaver dam
Oyster Creek—None–all saline water
Riggins Ditch—Rt. 47 bridge
Sow and Pigs Branch Nantuxent—None–all saline
water
Stow Creek—Buckhorn Rd. bridge, Jericho
Straight Creek—None–all saline water
West Creek—100 ft. below West Creek Lake dam
(Pickle Factory Pond)
ESSEX COUNTY
Passaic River—Erie Railroad bridge between Newark
(at Verona Ave.) and Kearny
Peddie Ditch—None–all saline water
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Big Timber Creek—Required whole length
Delaware River—Commodore Barry bridge at
Bridgeport
Mantua Creek—Required whole length
Oldmans Creek—Rt. 295 bridge
Raccoon Creek—Required whole length
Woodbury Creek—Required whole length
HUDSON COUNTY
Hackensack River—None–all saline water
Hudson River—None–all saline water
Passaic River—Railroad bridge between Newark
(at Verona Ave.) and Kearny
HUNTERDON COUNTY
License required on Delaware River and all other
waters
MERCER COUNTY
License required on Delaware River and all other
waters
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Cheesequake Creek—Dam at Cheesequake Lake,
Cheesequake State Park
Lawrence Brook—N.J. Turnpike bridge, East
Brunswick
Raritan River—Landing Lane bridge, New Brunswick
South River—Rt. 527 bridge (New Brunswick
Old Bridge Tpk.)
Woodbridge River—N.J. Turnpike bridge
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Black Creek—Spillway at Ocean Rd.
Branchport Creek—Mouth of Turtle Mill Brook
Deal Lake—Top of dam
Hockhockson (Pine) Brook—Garden State Parkway
northbound bridge
Little Silver Creek—Little Silver Creek Brook
Manasquan River—Bennetts bridge, Manasquan
Wildlife Management Area
Matawan Creek—Lefferts Lake dam
Oceanport Creek—Mouth of Husky Brook
Parkers Creek—Mouth of Parkers Creek Brook
Shark River—Remsen Mills Rd.
Swimming River—Swimming River Rd. bridge
Wreck Pond Creek—Rt. 71 bridge
MORRIS COUNTY
License required on all waters
OCEAN COUNTY
Beaver Dam Creek—Rt. 88 bridge
Cedar Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
Cedar Run—Rt. 9 bridge
Dinner Point Creek—None–all saline water
Double Creek—None–all saline water
Forked River—All branches Rt. 9
Gunning River—None–all saline water
Jakes Branch—Above Atlantic City Blvd.
Jeffreys Creek—Ocean Gate Rd. to Ocean Gate
Kettle Creek—Rt. 549 bridge
Lake of the Lilies—Entire lake
Long Swamp Creek—Washington St. bridge, Toms River
Manahawkin Creek—Dams for Manahawkin WMA
impoundments bayside
Metedeconk River—Rt. 70 bridge, Laurelton
Mill Creek—Mouth of Creek at lagoons in Beach
Haven West
Mill Creek—Pine Beach–Ocean Gate Road
Oyster Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
Parkers Run—None–all saline water
Potters Creek—None–all saline water
Stouts Creek—None–all saline water
Stouts Creek S. Br.—Bayside East Parkway
Toms River—Garden State Parkway, northbound
bridge
Tuckerton Creek—Dam at Rt. 9 bridge
Waretown Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
West Creek—Rt. 9 bridge
PASSAIC COUNTY
License required on all waters
SALEM COUNTY
Alloway Creek—Rt. 540 bridge at Alloway
Black Ditch—None–all saline water
Delaware River—None–all saline water
Fishing Creek—None–all saline water
Hope Creek—None–all saline water
Mad Horse Creek—None–all saline water
Mill Creek—None–all saline water
Oldmans Creek—Rt. 295 southbound bridge
Salem River—Dupont dam near Cedar Crest Manor
Salem Canal—Dam at Deepwater
Stow Creek—Buckhorn Rd. bridge, Jericho
Straight Ditch—None–all saline water
SOMERSET COUNTY
License required on all waters
SUSSEX COUNTY
License required on Delaware River and all other
waters
UNION COUNTY
Elizabeth River—West Grand St., Elizabeth
Great Ditch—None–all saline water
Morses Creek—Old Morses Mill Rd.
Oyster Creek—None–all saline water
Peddie Ditch—None–all saline water
Piles Creek—None–all saline water
Rahway River—Lawrence St. (Rt. 514), Rahway
WARREN COUNTY
License required on Delaware River and all other
waters
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTES:
1. Absence of a river, creek, brook or other
waterway from this list does not make it
exempt from requiring a license to fish the
fresh waters.
2. Names of waters conform to those given
on the United States Geological Survey 7.5
Minute Topographic Series Maps.
Fishing License Lines
5(*8/$7,216
32 | 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest Buy your license or permit online at January 2012
NJFishandWildlife.com
REGULATIONS FOR USE of wildlife manage-
ment areas (WMAs) are established by the
Division of Fish and Wildlife with penalties
of not less than $50 nor more than $1,500. A
second violation of any WMA regulation will
result in a five-year loss of all sporting licenses
and privileges.
Information on these regulations and permit
applications may be obtained by writing to
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife,
MC501-03, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420.
Fish and Wildlife may revoke any permit
or other authorization issued for violation or
due cause.
The following are prohibited: camping, swim-
ming, picnicking, dumping, cutting or damaging
vegetation, alcoholic beverages and fires.
Restricted Hours
Wildlife Management Areas are closed from
9 p.m. until 5 a.m. unless engaged in lawful hunt-
ing, fishing or trapping activities.
Special permission may be granted for Fish
and Wildlife approved activities.
Motor Vehicles
No person shall operate an unregistered vehicle
on roads under the control of the Division of Fish
and Wildlife. All motor vehicles are restricted
to established public roads and parking areas.
The use of dog sleds and dog carts, off-road
vehicles, ATVs, trailbikes or snowmobiles is
prohibited on all wildlife management areas
unless authorized by Fish and Wildlife.
Target Practice
Only archery, shotgun, muzzleloading shotgun,
muzzleloading rifle and .22 caliber rimfire rifle
shooting is allowed in designated hunter train-
ing ranges according to posted regulations at the
training area. Other target practice is allowed
only with permission from the Division of Fish
and Wildlife.
Field Trials
Permits for use of wildlife management areas
for running of field trials may be granted by
Fish and Wildlife. Apply for a permit by calling
(609) 259-2132.
Dog Training and Exercising
Dogs may be exercised or trained on any WMA
from Sept. 1 to April 30. All dogs must be prop-
erly licensed. Select WMAs with designated dog
training areas also permit dogs to be exercised or
trained from May 1 to Aug. 31. For more infor-
mation, see the hunting issue of the New Jersey
Fish and Wildlife Digest or call (609)984-0547.
Outboard Motors
Only electric motors are allowed on freshwater
lakes and ponds owned by New Jersey Division
of Fish and Wildlife with the exception of Union
Lake, where outboard motors not exceeding 9.9
hp. may be used. On Prospertown Lake, only
manually operated boats and canoes are allowed.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is allowed on designated
WMAs only by permit from the Division
of Fish and Wildlife. Apply online at
www.NJ.WildlifeLicense.com. Horseback riding
permits should be displayed on outer clothing
while riding. For more information on horseback
riding permits, call (609) 259-2132.
Fishing Tournament
Any club or organization that would like to
use a New Jersey wildlife management area
for fishing tournaments must apply for and
secure a permit from Fish and Wildlife. No fee
is required. Applications will be accepted in
January at Fish and Wildlife’s Southern Region
office, 220 Anchor Rd., Sicklerville, NJ 08081
at (856) 629-4950.
Boat Ramp Maintenance Permit
Any vehicle used to transport or launch a
vessel or water conveyance on the following
WMAs must have affixed to the lower corne r
of the driver’s side rear window a boat ramp
maintenance permit, or a photocopy of a valid
hunting, fishing or trapping license. Be sure your
Conservation ID number is clearly displayed; all
other personal information may be blacked out
for reasons of privacy.
The boat ramp maintenance permit fee
is $15, available from a license agent or at
Fish and Wildlife’s Internet sales site,
www.NJ.WildlifeLicense.com.
Persons 70 years and older are not required
to obtain a boat ramp maintenance permit and
need no license, but must affix to their window
proof of age, such as a former license displaying
your date of birth.
1. Round Valley Angler Access
2. Assunpink
3. Dennis Creek
4. Tuckahoe
5. Mad Horse Creek
6. Union Lake
7. Menantico Ponds
8. Prospertown Lake
This is not the full law. Consult the Division of Fish and Wildlife for further details.
All persons are reminded that the statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities.
Regulations in red are new this year. Purple text indicates an important note.
Wildlife Management Areas
5(*8/$7,216
Accessible Fishing Sites
For people with disabilities, visit:
NJFishandWildlife.com/sites.htm
An Accessible Fishing Sites list is available to assist anglers whose mobility
is impaired.
All sites are wheelchair-accessible except for the Musconetcong River in
Morris County, where vehicle access is to the shoreline.
ACCESSIBITY
Create Your Own WMA Map
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) has a Web-based tool called
NJ-GeoWeb. Those with Internet access
can create maps
for any Wildlife
Management Area.
NJ-GeoWeb provides
a wealth of other
environmental
information, too!
This interactive
program is updated on a regular basis so most of
the latest information is available.
To access NJ-GeoWeb, go to the DEP’s Web site
at www.state.nj.us/dep/gis/geowebsplash.htm.
Click on “Launch NJ - GeoWeb, then GeoWeb
Profile.
Those without Internet access can request a
specific wildlife management area by calling
(609) 984-0547.
i-MapNJ
Cindy Sabino
William Lakes enjoys the sunset while
fishing at Parvin State Park.
January 2012 For more information contact New Jersey 2012 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest | 33
Division of Fish and Wildlife at (609)292-2965
