Muskellunge regulations in New Jersey

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A muskellunge is a keeper today if it measures at least 40 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Muskellunge size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
New Jersey fresh waters (statewide; special waters differ)	Open year-round	40 inch minimum	1 per person per day

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' aliases. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/newjersey/fishing/freshwater/size-season-creel-limits

Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 40 inches (Trophy Muskie Waters 44 inches)
Limit: 1 combined (tiger musky and muskellunge)
Inland waters — as printed: “Tiger Musky & Muskellunge: 40 inches 1 combined; Trophy Muskie Waters (Echo Lake Res., Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Monksville Res.) 44 inches”

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

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About the muskellunge

Species of fish

The muskellunge, often shortened to muskie, musky, ski, or lunge, is a species of large freshwater predatory fish native to North America. It is the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae.

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

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Muskellunge in New Jersey?

40 inch minimum in New Jersey state waters.

How many Muskellunge can you keep per day in New Jersey?

1 per person per day.

When is Muskellunge season in New Jersey?

Open year-round.

Is my Muskellunge a keeper today?

A muskellunge is a keeper today if it measures at least 40 inches, with a daily limit of 1.