New Jersey Fishing News

Galloway, NJ - In a letter this week to Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has called for an immediate moratorium on any closures to the recreational harvest of red snapper until better scientific analysis can be conducted.

The Department of Environmental Protection today announced a new recommendation for consuming large bluefish, a popular species commonly caught in Atlantic Ocean waters.

In coordination with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and agencies in six other states, the DEP updated its fish consumption advisories and is recommending that the public consume no more than one meal every other month (six meals per year) of bluefish larger than 24 inches. Previously, fish consumption advisories for large bluefish recommended four meals per year for most people.

The Skillful Angler Awards Program honors the many anglers who catch both freshwater and marine fish which aren't of record size but are impressive and worthy of recognition. At the end of each year, special recognition is given to the anglers who caught the largest fish in each of the freshwater and marine species categories.

Capping a lengthy undercover investigation, Conservation Officers with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife have cited eight people for illegally taking and selling river herring from South Jersey waters. Fishermen are allowed to take up to 35 herring per day, but are not allowed to possess more than 35 herring at one time, or sell herring, unless they hold certain commercial fishing licenses.

Beginning this month, four million cubic yards of rock will be deployed on nine New Jersey reefs over the next three years as part of the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Artificial Reef Program. The dredge rock ranges in size from basketball-sized pieces to boulders. The rock will be deployed by hopper scows at predetermined locations.

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has had five hundred reef balls constructed at Southern State Correctional Facility at Delmont which are ready for deployment during early November at the Great Egg and Little Egg Reefs. The Great Egg Reef is located eight nautical miles southeast of Absecon Inlet and the Little Egg Reef is located five nautical miles east of Little Egg Inlet.

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds all saltwater anglers that the annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament is this Sunday, Oct. 5 at Island Beach State Park. Walk-in registration is welcome and opens at 5:00 a.m. at Pavilion #1. Fishing begins at 6:30 a.m. and winds up at 1:00 p.m. with the Governor's Trophy and other prizes awarded at 2:00 p.m. There are prizes for eight species in a number of categories (male, female, youth, etc.).

The following is the text of a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Plese note that this press release revises the September 9, 2008 press release by adding FLFWCC's hearing information and changing MD DNR's hearing date from the October 6th to the 1st. All other information remains the same.

New Jersey Outdoors for Women - October 4 - 9:00am - 4:00pm
Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park, NJ

Surf Fishing Clinic - (No surf fishing experience needed.) Open to women only at least 18 years old. All equipment and bait will be provided. Participants will learn the basics of surf fishing, including information on rods, reels, weights, line, tackle, knots, bait, fish identification, casting, reading the surf, and caring for your catch. The afternoon will be spent on the beach using techniques learned to fish the surf. The workshop will take place rain or shine, warm or cold. Participants should be prepared with appropriate clothing, as well as other convenience items such as sun screen, sunglasses, hat, and foul weather gear.

Surf Fishing Clinic - (No surf fishing experience needed.) Open to women only at least 18 years old. All equipment and bait will be provided. Participants will learn the basics of surf fishing, including information on rods, reels, weights, line, tackle, knots, bait, fish identification, casting, reading the surf, and caring for your catch. The afternoon will be spent on the beach using techniques learned to fish the surf. The workshop will take place rain or shine, warm or cold. Participants should be prepared with appropriate clothing, as well as other convenience items such as sun screen, sunglasses, hat, and foul weather gear.