SlotGaugeCheck a catchSunfish and Perch regulations in New Jersey
· Freshwater · 2026 season
Sunfish and Perch size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey fresh waters (statewide; special waters differ) | Open year-round | None | 25 combined (all panfish and listed species) |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' aliases and limit. 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
- None
- Limit
- 25 combined
- Inland waters — as printed
- “Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Redbreast, Rock Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Bullheads, White Catfish, White Sucker, Common Carp, Bowfin, American Eel and all other non-native species with no specified creel limit: No minimum size (American Eel 9 inch minimum) 25 combined”
Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the sunfish and perch
Pan-sized freshwater fish
The word panfish, also spelled pan-fish or pan fish, is an American English term describing any edible freshwater fish that usually do not outgrow the size of an average frying pan. It is also commonly used by recreational anglers to refer to any small game fish that can fit wholly into a pan for cooking but are still large enough to be legal. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term was first recorded in 1796 in American Cookery, the first known cookbook written by an American author.
Read more about Panfish 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 Sunfish and Perch in New Jersey?
None in New Jersey state waters.
How many Sunfish and Perch can you keep per day in New Jersey?
25 combined (all panfish and listed species).
When is Sunfish and Perch season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
Is my Sunfish and Perch a keeper today?
Sunfish and Perch has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 25.