SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlue Crab regulations in New Jersey
· Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Blue Crab size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ marine waters | Open year-round | 4.5 inch minimum | one bushel per person per day |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' notes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/newjersey/fishing/saltwater/mollusks-crustaceans
Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- Peeler or shedder 3 inches; Soft 3½ inches; Hard 4½ inches (point to point)
- Limit
- One bushel per day per person
- statewide — as printed
- “Minimum size for crabs … a) Peeler or shedder crab: 3 inches b) Soft crab: 3½ inches c) Hard crab: 4½ inches … It is illegal to harvest or possess more than one bushel of crabs per day per person”
Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the blue crab
Species of crustacean
Callinectes sapidus, commonly known as the blue crab, Atlantic blue crab, or, regionally, the Maryland blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and introduced internationally.
Read more about Callinectes sapidus on Wikipedia →
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 Blue Crab in New Jersey?
4.5 inch minimum in New Jersey state waters.
How many Blue Crab can you keep per day in New Jersey?
one bushel per person per day.
When is Blue Crab season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
Is my Blue Crab a keeper today?
A blue crab is a keeper today if it measures at least 4.5 inches, with one bushel per person per day.