Protected native species (freshwater) regulations in New Jersey

Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species · Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Protected native species (freshwater) is closed to harvest. Release it.

Protected native species (freshwater) size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NJ fresh waters statewide	Closed to harvest	—	—

Notes

These native species are protected — release immediately and unharmed.
Small native sunfish (blackbanded, mud, banded, bluespotted) are protected; do not confuse with bluegill/pumpkinseed.

Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording

Season: Possession prohibited
Size: Protected
Limit: 0
NJ fresh waters statewide — as printed: “ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND SPECIAL CONCERN SPECIES AND OTHER NATIVE SPECIES WITH NO SPECIFIED CREEL LIMITS | American Brook Lamprey, Atlantic Sturgeon, Shortnose Sturgeon, Bridle Shiner, Comely Shiner, Ironcolor Shiner, Blackbanded Sunfish, Mud Sunfish, Banded Sunfish, Bluespotted Sunfish, Northern Hog Sucker, Shield Darter, Slimy Sculpin, etc. | It is illegal to take, possess, land, purchase, or sell any of these species. | Statewide | Protected | 0”

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

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About the protected native species

Endangered species list

This is a list of the bird and mammal species and subspecies described as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It contains species and subspecies not only in the U.S. and its territories, but also those only found in other parts of the world. It does not include endangered fish, amphibians, reptiles, plants, or invertebrates. The complete list can be found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 50 Part 17.

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 Protected native species (freshwater) in New Jersey?

No size limit in New Jersey state waters.

How many Protected native species (freshwater) can you keep per day in New Jersey?

Possession prohibited.

When is Protected native species (freshwater) season in New Jersey?

Open year-round.

Is my Protected native species (freshwater) a keeper today?

Protected native species (freshwater) is closed to harvest. Release it.