NOAA FISHERIES – FEDERAL RECREATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS FOR THE GREATER ATLANTIC REGION
These Federal regulations are for Federal Waters Only (which is generally 3-200 nautical miles off shore from Maine to North Carolina) except for Bluefin Tuna and Shortnose Sturgeon which have Federal regulations that apply in both State and Federal waters.

Recreational anglers or divers, once entering with and/or landing their catch in state waters, must also abide by state regulations.   Also, party and charter boats holding Federal permits need to abide by stricter Federal regulations even when fishing in state waters.   See the Federal New England and Mid-Atlantic recreational compliance guides for more information.




NEW JERSEY SALTWATER RECREATIONAL REGISTRY PROGRAM - New Jersey's FREE saltwater fishing registry replaces the fee-based federal registry that state anglers were required to participate in.   The New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program (NJSRRP) exempts saltwater recreational anglers fishing in New Jersey's marine and tidal waters from the federal registry and a $15 federal registration fee.

Anglers with a valid registration with the National Saltwater Angler Registry or that have a valid license from another exempted state are still required to register with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.   Registration with NJ exempts you from having to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.   Registration is quick, simple and free, and is required for anglers age 16 or older.   Individual registration is not required if you only fish on charter or headboats.


NATIONAL SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY - NOAA Fisheries MARINE RECREATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAM or MRIP, is a tool that will help NOAA and anglers work together to help ensure the long-term sustainability of America's recreational fisheries and the health of our oceans.   This is the mandatory federal registry for saltwater anglers if you live in a state that does not require a state saltwater fishing license or have a state registry program.   You can register online and there is a $15 charge to register.   You will be mailed a registration card that is valid for one year.




NOAA Fisheries Permit Shop - Get your Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit here.   Since its inception on March 1, 2003, you'll need this annual $20 federal permit for your boat if you want to land Yellowfin, Bluefin, Albacore, Bigeye and Skipjack tunas.   Also required for Swordfish, Sailfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin and certain Sharks.   In the HMS Angling category, owners/operators of vessels fishing recreationally, even catch and release, for Atlantic HMS (sharks, swordfish, billfish, and tunas) in the Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit.   This permit is for recreational fishing only, no sale of catch is permitted.   This permit allows a vessel to participate in registered recreational HMS fishing.




New Jersey does NOT require a license for recreational surf casting, deep sea or bay fishing.   However, there are a variety of required licenses and permits for crabbing, shellfish harvesting, fish nets, pound nets and fish pots.   The licenses must be renewed ($) every year.

◦  Non-commercial Crab Pot License – $2
◦  Striped Bass Bonus Permit – $2
◦  Resident Recreational Shellfish License – $10
◦  Resident Senior (62 and older) Lifetime Recreational Shellfish License – $2
◦  Juvenile (under 14 years of age) Recreational Shellfish (Resident/Non-Resident) – $2
◦  Non-Resident Recreational Shellfish License – $20
◦  Commercial Shellfish License – $50
◦  Non-resident Commercial Shellfish License – $250
◦  Fillet Permit for Party Boats – $2
◦  Application To Use Fish Nets, Pounds and Pots in Marine and Estuarine Waters less than three miles from shore (NJ Residents only) – Fee varies
◦  Menhaden Bait Permit (NJ Residents only) – Fee varies

Licenses and permits are available in person at the Nacote Creek Office and through the mail:

NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
Nacote Creek Research Station
PO Box 418
Port Republic, NJ 08241

Marine Fisheries - 609-748-2020
Shellfisheries - 609-748-2040

Online Saltwater Recreational Licenses and Permits - A license is required for harvesting shellfish, using crab pots, and more
https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/recreational-licenses-and-permits/

Fishing for Saltwater Baitfish in New Jersey?

NO LICENSE is required for the taking of baitfish for personal use with the following gear:

◦  Dip nets 24 inches diameter or less for the taking of Atlantic herring only.   (The taking or possession of river herring is prohibited)
◦  Bait seines 50 feet long or less
◦  Cast nets 20 feet in diameter or less
◦  Lift or umbrella nets four feet square or less
◦  Not more than five (5) killipots.   Cylindrical killipots must not measure over 10 inches in diameter or 25 inches in length, or 2,000 cubic inches for any other configuration.
◦  Not more than two (2) miniature fykes or pots for the taking of eels for bait.   Miniature fykes must have a diameter not to exceed 16 inches if cylindrical or 201 square inches in cross section if any other configuration.   Minimum mesh size is no smaller than one half inch by one half inch, inside measurement.

Baitfish taken in this manner may not be sold or used for barter unless you possess a commercial bait net license

NO LICENSE is required to take edible crabs for personal consumption with a scoop net (dip net) operated by hand.   Crabs taken with a bait seine may be retained for personal use only if you possess a commercial bait net license.   Taking of female crabs with eggs attached or from which eggs have been removed is prohibited.

New Jersey recreational angling limits and minimum sizes for crabs and eels apply when you are harvesting bait.

Fines for Violating Marine/Shellfish Regulations in New Jersey

Fines for Violating Marine/Shellfish Regulations in New Jersey – A link to the penalty fines ($) for violations of NJ Marine/Shellfish Regulations.   (See pages 28, 29 and 30 .)   The information is from the state violations schedule found on the NJ Courts web site.   Violations carry different penalties as prescribed by law.   Sometimes there is a range of penalty amount and you may be required to appear in court.   Amounts may vary for a variety of reasons, including whether it is a first-time offense or a repeat violation.   Some violations can lead to a temporary, or even permanent, loss of your hunting and fishing privileges.




For state regulatory information, please check with the appropriate state marine fisheries agency.   Listed below are links to the marine fisheries agency for each state bordering on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.

Maine Department of Marine Resources – A Maine saltwater recreational fishing registration is required for individuals over the age of 16.   A $2 agent fee applies to register online.

New Hampshire Fish & Game – Residents and non-residents over the age of 16 need a $11 New Hampshire Recreational Saltwater Fishing License to fish in coastal and estuarine waters of New Hampshire.   Anglers must possess a valid NH, MA, or ME marine fishing license to fish in New Hampshire marine waters.

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries – Residents and non-residents over the age of 16 need a $10 Massachusetts Marine License to fish in coastal and estuarine waters of New Hampshire.)   Anglers must possess a valid MA, CT, RI or NH marine fishing license to fish in Massachusetts marine waters.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management - Marine Fisheries – An annual marine license is $7 for Rhode Island residents and $10 for non-residents.   A seven-day license may be purchased for $5 for both residents and non-residents alike.   Anglers must possess a valid RI, MA, CT, ME or NY marine fishing license to fish in Rhode Island marine waters.

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Saltwater Fishing – A marine license is $10 for residents age from 16 to 64, it is free for residents over 65 and $15 for non-residents age 16 and older.   Anglers must possess a valid CT, MA, RI or NY marine fishing license to fish in Connecticut marine waters.

New York Department of Environmental Conservation - Saltwater Fishing – Anglers 16 and older must register with the New York no-fee recreational marine fishing registry to fish in New York waters.   Reciprocity is given to anglers holding a marine license from either Connecticut or Rhode Island.

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife – A professional environmental agency dedicated to the protection, management and wise use of New Jersey's fish and wildlife resources.   From Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook to Cape May and Delaware Bay, our marine resources provide something for anyone interested in saltwater fishing, clamming, crabbing or exploring New Jersey's 83 miles of bayshores and 127 miles of Atlantic coastline.   Anglers 16 and older must register with the New Jersey no-fee recreational marine fishing registry to fish in New Jersey marine waters.   No reciprocity exists and all anglers fishing New Jersey's marine waters must register.

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife – 2024 New Jersey Marine Digest (published every May)

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife – 2024 Recreational Marine Fishing Regulations Summary Sheet

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife – 2024 Marine Recreational Seasons Summary Chart

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife – 2024 Commercial Marine Fishing Regulations

New Jersey Saltwater Record Fish Program – Got a big one for the record book?   Look here to see the current record holders and get information on how you can enter your fish of a lifetime.

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission – A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required of persons age 16 and over to fish for any species of fish and are valid through December 31, 2021.   Annual freshwater license in PA is $22.97, a non-resident costs $52.97, and residents 65 and older pay $11.97.   Non-residents can get a nominally priced one-day, three-day or seven-day tourist permits, or pay $52.97 for a year-round license.   If an angler has a valid Pennsylvania fishing license they are not required to register with NOAA to fish Pennsylvania's tidal portion of the Delaware River.

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife – A license is required and it covers both fresh and marine/tidal waters and costs $8.50 for residents and $20 for non-residents.   Children under the age 16 and senior residents over 65 are exempt from the licensing requirements.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Fisheries Service – Anglers 16 and older must register with the Maryland no-fee recreational marine fishing registry.   Reciprocity exists for anglers possessing a Virginia license.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission – Licenses are required for recreational fishing in Virginia tidal saltwater areas including the Atlantic Ocean out to the three mile limit.

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries – A Coastal Recreational Fishing License is required to recreationally take finfish in the state's coastal fishing waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Saltwater Fishing – A saltwater recreational fisheries license is required to fish in South Carolina waters.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources – A recreational fishing license is required to fish in Georgia waters.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – A saltwater license is required to fish in Florida waters and their license fees are pricey $$$.

Alabama Marine Resources Division – A saltwater recreational fishing license is required to fish in Alabama waters if you are between the ages of 16 to 65.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources – A saltwater license is required to fish in Mississippi waters.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – A saltwater license is required to fish in Louisiana waters.

Texas Parks & Wildlife - Fishing – A Texas fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement are required to fish in Texas waters.

California Division of Fish and Game – A Sport Fishing license is required to fish in California waters.   Additional stamps  are required for certain species and areas.   And they are more pricey than Florida!

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - Marine Resources Program – An angling license is required to fish in Oregon waters.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife – A saltwater license is required to fish in Washington waters.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game - Sport Fish Division – A sport fishing license is required to fish in Alaska waters.

Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources – A license is NOT required for marine recreational fishing in Hawaii waters.


The following are links to regional and federal fisheries management agencies of interest.   Additional links can be found on our Government Issue page.

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council – The GMFMC manages fishery resources in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and includes representation from Alabama, West Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council – The MAFMC is responsible for the management of fisheries in federal waters which occur predominantly off the mid-Atlantic coast. States with voting representation on the Council include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina

New England Fishery Management Council – The NEFMC manages the fishery resources in the federal waters off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut

North Pacific Fishery Management Council – The NPFMC has jurisdiction over the 900,000 square mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska (including the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.)  The Council manages cod, pollock, flatfish, mackerel, sablefish, and rockfish species, and also makes allocative and limited entry decisions for Pacific halibut

Pacific Fishery Management Council – The PFMC manages salmon, groundfish and coastal pelagic species in federal waters Washington, Oregon and California, and recommends Pacific halibut harvest regulations to the International Pacific Halibut Commission

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council – The SAFMC is responsible for managing the fisheries in federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and East Florida

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council – The WPRFMC is responsible for the fisheries in federal waters around the Territory of American Samoa, Territory of Guam, State of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and US Pacific island possessions

NOAA Fisheries – Formerly called the National Marine Fisheries Service, it's the mother of all regulatory agencies!