New Jersey · Mid-Atlantic
New Jersey saltwater fishing forecast
4 bay systems and 357 named spots on the New Jersey Atlantic coast, with 12 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM at 83 for Red drum.
In peak season this week: Little tunny, Mahi-mahi, Red drum, Scup, Sheepshead and Spanish mackerel and 3 more.
- Bay systems
- 4
- Named spots
- 357
- Tide stations
- 12
- Species guides
- 21
Bay systems right now · 4
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 7:05 PM EDT. Best window is the rest of today.
ANZ451 · 100 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 83)
ANZ430 · 38 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8-9 PM (peak 81)
ANZ431 · 147 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 82)
ANZ452 · 72 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 83)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a New Jersey bay system this hour.
- Red drum83Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Little tunny80Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Spanish mackerel78Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Spot77Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Summer flounder76Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Sheepshead73Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Scup72Great
Best in Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Spotted seatrout72Great
Best in Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE · scored in 4 bay systems
Shoulder season - Striped bass71Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Shoulder season - Bluefish69Great
Best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM · scored in 4 bay systems
Shoulder season
Species guides · 21
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in New Jersey waters.
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagicPeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagicPeak season, changing this weekpeak
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshorePeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- ScupStenotomus chrysops · nearshorePeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- SpotLeiostomus xanthurus · inshorePeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottomPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus · pelagicShoulder season, about 10 more weeksshoulder
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagicShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- TautogTautoga onitis · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- WeakfishCynoscion regalis · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshoreOff season, about 6 more weeksoff
- Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus · bottom
Regulations and licenses
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with NJFW Sep 16, 2026.
New Jersey has no saltwater license. Saltwater anglers 16 and older must register, free, with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. The regulations link is the 2026 "Attention Anglers" summary sheet; the full rules are in the Marine Digest, and the file name changes each year. dep.nj.gov web pages block automated requests; the registry and licensing links were taken from the NJFW Seasons & Regulations, Saltwater Registry and Licenses & Permits pages (web.archive.org captures from January to June 2026), and the licensing site needs cookies to load.
No reviewed rules are on file for New Jersey yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.