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New Jersey shellfish & crabs size limits and seasons

6 species, 2026 rules for state waters. Tap a species for every zone, the exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording and a keeper check. Updated 2026-10-04. All 62 New Jersey species A–Z →

Species	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
American Lobster	Open year-round	3.375–5.25 inch slot	6 per person per day
Blue Crab	Open year-round	4.5 inch minimum	one bushel per person per day
Eastern Oyster	Open year-round	Bed-specific size limits — call Nacote Creek (609) 748-2020 or Delaware Bay shellfish office	Part of the 150-shellfish aggregate per day; bed-specific rules apply
Hard Clam	Open year-round	1.5 inch minimum	150 per person per day
Horseshoe Crab	Closed	—	—
Shellfish (recreational aggregate)	Open year-round	No minimum printed for species other than hard clam (1 1/2 inches)	150 shellfish (in aggregate) per day