New Jersey Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater LegalFreshwater Not permitted

Spearfishing is legal in New Jersey's marine (salt) waters for essentially all managed finfish while completely submerged, using a spear, harpoon, or other missile, or by hand, the one flatly excluded animal is lobster, and any 'specifically protected' species (harvest-moratorium/no-possession.

License

Required: Marine: NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program (NJSRRP) certificate (FREE). Freshwater: New Jersey Freshwater Fishing License.

Resident: Saltwater NJSRRP: FREE. Freshwater license: $22.50 annual for residents ages 16-64; $12.50 for residents ages 65-69; free for residents 70 and older.

Non-resident: Saltwater NJSRRP: FREE for residents and non-residents alike. Freshwater license: $34 annual for non-residents 16+, with short-term options ($9 for 2 days, $19.50 for 7 days).

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Allowed in marine waters. N.J.A.C. 7:25-18.4 permits taking fish by 'a spear, harpoon, or other missile' while completely submerged.
• Pole spears: Allowed in marine waters. A pole spear is a 'spear' within N.J.A.C. 7:25-18.4's 'spear, harpoon, or other missile' language.
• On scuba: Not prohibited. The regulation requires the fisher to be 'completely submerged in the marine waters of the State', which contemplates free.
• Marine spearfishing requires the fisher to be COMPLETELY SUBMERGED in marine waters, surface-based spearing is outside the rule.
• Spearfishing does not override any species' open season, minimum size, or possession limit; the diver must confirm a fish meets the minimum.
• Lobster may NOT be taken by spearfishing.
• In fresh waters, spearing fish is unlawful except as specified for the Delaware River; nongame/invasive species may instead be taken by bow.

Do not spear

• Lobster, may not be taken by spearfishing in marine waters; spears, gigs, gaffs, and other penetrating devices are prohibited for lobster
• Marine 'specifically protected'
• Prohibited
• Freshwater GAME FISH
• Snapping turtles may not be taken with a bow and arrow

Area restrictions

• Spearing fish is prohibited throughout New Jersey fresh waters except as specified for the Delaware River.
• Crossbow bowfishing is prohibited on Greenwood Lake.
• Some municipalities ban the discharge of a bow and arrow (tethered or not); anglers must check with the waterbody owner and/or municipality before.
• Standard marine closed areas and any site-specific NJDEP or federal restrictions still apply; divers should also observe local ordinances.

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish & Wildlife: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/