Atlantic Herring regulations in New Jersey

Bait Fish · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Atlantic Herring has no size limit today, with No limit printed; personal-use bait only.

Atlantic Herring size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NJ marine waters	Open year-round	No size limit	No limit printed; personal-use bait only

Notes

Dip net must be 24 inches in diameter or less and may only be used for Atlantic herring for live bait.
Do not confuse with river herring (alewife, blueback) — those are prohibited.

Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording

Season: Open year-round (no season printed)
Size: None
Limit: No limit printed
NJ marine waters — as printed: “Dip nets 24 inches diameter or less for taking Atlantic herring only for live bait. The taking or possession of river herring (alewife and blueback herring) is prohibited.”

Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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About the atlantic herring

Species of fish

Atlantic herring is a herring in the family Clupeidae. It is one of the most abundant fish species in the world. Atlantic herrings can be found on both sides of the northern Atlantic Ocean, congregating in large schools. They can grow up to 45 centimetres (18 in) in length and weigh up to 1.1 kilograms (2.4 lb). They feed on copepods, krill and small fish, while their natural predators are seals, whales, cod and other larger fish.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.

All 62 New Jersey species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Atlantic Herring in New Jersey?

No size limit in New Jersey state waters.

How many Atlantic Herring can you keep per day in New Jersey?

No limit printed; personal-use bait only.

When is Atlantic Herring season in New Jersey?

Open year-round.

Is my Atlantic Herring a keeper today?

Atlantic Herring has no size limit today, with No limit printed; personal-use bait only.