SlotGaugeCheck a catchFreshwater Baitfish regulations in New Jersey
Baitfish · Freshwater · 2026 season
Freshwater Baitfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ fresh waters statewide | Open year-round | No minimum size; American Eel 9 inches | 35 per day, species combined (no more than 25 American Eels) |
| Delaware River | Open year-round | No minimum | 50 |
Notes
- Only the ten listed species may be taken for bait; possession limit is one day's limit regardless of intent.
- Cast nets may not be used in lakes or trout-stocked waters.
- Baitfish taken may not be sold or bartered.
Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording
- Season
- Open year-round (trout-stocked waters: hook and line only Apr 11–Jun 15, or Mar 23–Jun 15 where open in preseason)
- Size
- None (American Eel 9 inches)
- Limit
- 35 per day, species combined (no more than 25 American Eels)
- NJ fresh waters statewide — as printed
- “BAITFISH SPECIES Only the following species may be taken for use as bait. American Eel, Banded Killifish, Creek Chub, Fallfish, Fathead Minnow, Gizzard Shad, Golden Shiner, Margined Madtom, Mummichog, and Tadpole Madtom. ... Open year round | Statewide (fresh waters) | No minimum size Exception American Eel: 9 inches | 35 per day, species combined (no more than 25 American Eels may be taken)”
Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the freshwater baitfish
Name of various types of fish
Bass is a common name shared by many species of ray-finned fish from the large clade Percomorpha, mainly belonging to the orders Perciformes and Moroniformes, encompassing both freshwater and marine species. The word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch", despite that none of the commonly referred bass species belong to the perch family Percidae.
Read more about Bass (fish) 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 Freshwater Baitfish in New Jersey?
No minimum size; American Eel 9 inches in New Jersey state waters.
How many Freshwater Baitfish can you keep per day in New Jersey?
35 per day, species combined (no more than 25 American Eels).
When is Freshwater Baitfish season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
Is my Freshwater Baitfish a keeper today?
Freshwater Baitfish has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 35.