When is walleye season in New Jersey?

Statewide open Jan 1 – Feb 28 + May 1 – Dec 31; catch-and-release ONLY March 1 – April 30 (pre-spawn); Delaware River open year-round. 18 in min, 3 / day. Those are the 2026 New Jersey dates; always confirm against New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (freshwater) + NJ Marine Fisheries Administration (saltwater) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the New Jersey bag limit for walleye?

The New Jersey daily bag limit for walleye is 3 / day per angler. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye can you keep in New Jersey?

The New Jersey size rule for walleye is 18 in min statewide. Trophy rule: State record 13 lb 9 oz (Delaware River, George Fundell, 1993).

Do you need a license to fish for walleye in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a New Jersey license — compare resident and non-resident New Jersey fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for walleye in New Jersey?

Yes. In New Jersey, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; jigs + live bait + crankbaits are the standard walleye methods; NJ freshwater fishing licence required; Statewide March 1 – April 30: catch-and-release ONLY — walleye must be released; Delaware River: open year-round (no spring closure); NJ + PA licences both honored on the main stem.

Do specific New Jersey waters have different walleye rules?

Yes. 6 named New Jersey waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Delaware River main stem (PA/NJ boundary, above tidal section), Greenwood Lake (NY/NJ boundary), Monksville Reservoir, and 3 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

New Jersey Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Sander vitreus

Last updated June 3, 2026

Walleye reach New Jersey at the southern edge of their range, sustained by NJDEP Hackettstown Hatchery fingerling stockings. Three-to-seven-pound fish are not uncommon in the Delaware River, Greenwood Lake, Monksville Reservoir, Swartswood Lake, and Lake Hopatcong, with Canistear Reservoir close behind. The Delaware River is the standout — its main stem produced the state-record walleye of 13 lb 9 oz (George Fundell, 1993) and, uniquely, runs an OPEN YEAR-ROUND walleye season under the joint NJ/PA Delaware River regulations, with no spring closure. Everywhere else in the state, walleye follow a statewide season built around the spring spawn: open January 1 – February 28 and May 1 – December 31 for harvest, with a catch-and-release-ONLY period March 1 – April 30 that protects spawning fish. The size + creel rule is an 18-inch minimum and 3 fish per day statewide.

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Season

Statewide open Jan 1 – Feb 28 + May 1 – Dec 31; catch-and-release ONLY March 1 – April 30 (pre-spawn); Delaware River open year-round. 18 in min, 3 / day.

Jan 1 – Feb 28Statewide harvest
Open harvest season
Mar 1 – Apr 30Statewide pre-spawn
Catch-and-release ONLY — protects spawning walleye
May 1 – Dec 31Statewide harvest
Open harvest season
Jan 1 – Dec 31Delaware River main stem
Open year-round — no spring C&R closure (joint NJ/PA Delaware River rule)

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 3 / day per angler
Possession: Same as daily bag

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in min statewide
Trophy rule: State record 13 lb 9 oz (Delaware River, George Fundell, 1993)

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; jigs + live bait + crankbaits are the standard walleye methods
NJ freshwater fishing licence required
Statewide March 1 – April 30: catch-and-release ONLY — walleye must be released
Delaware River: open year-round (no spring closure); NJ + PA licences both honored on the main stem

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific New Jersey waters:

Delaware River main stem (PA/NJ boundary, above tidal section)
18 in min, 3 / day, OPEN YEAR-ROUND (no spring C&R closure); premier NJ walleye fishery + state-record water (13 lb 9 oz, 1993)
Greenwood Lake (NY/NJ boundary)
18 in min, 3 / day; statewide season incl. March 1 – April 30 C&R; NY + NJ licences both honored
Monksville Reservoir
18 in min, 3 / day; statewide season
Swartswood Lake
18 in min, 3 / day; famous spring walleye run
Lake Hopatcong
18 in min, 3 / day; statewide season
Canistear Reservoir
18 in min, 3 / day; statewide season

Official source

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (freshwater) + NJ Marine Fisheries Administration (saltwater) publishes the authoritative 2026 New Jerseyfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The walleye rules on this page are sourced from New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (freshwater) + NJ Marine Fisheries Administration (saltwater)'s official walleye regulation page.

Visit official New Jersey fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Walleye closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any New Jersey trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is walleye season in New Jersey?: Statewide open Jan 1 – Feb 28 + May 1 – Dec 31; catch-and-release ONLY March 1 – April 30 (pre-spawn); Delaware River open year-round. 18 in min, 3 / day. Those are the 2026 New Jersey dates; always confirm against New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (freshwater) + NJ Marine Fisheries Administration (saltwater) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the New Jersey bag limit for walleye?: The New Jersey daily bag limit for walleye is 3 / day per angler. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye can you keep in New Jersey?: The New Jersey size rule for walleye is 18 in min statewide. Trophy rule: State record 13 lb 9 oz (Delaware River, George Fundell, 1993).
Do you need a license to fish for walleye in New Jersey?: Yes. New Jersey requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a New Jersey license — compare resident and non-resident New Jersey fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for walleye in New Jersey?: Yes. In New Jersey, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; jigs + live bait + crankbaits are the standard walleye methods; NJ freshwater fishing licence required; Statewide March 1 – April 30: catch-and-release ONLY — walleye must be released; Delaware River: open year-round (no spring closure); NJ + PA licences both honored on the main stem.
Do specific New Jersey waters have different walleye rules?: Yes. 6 named New Jersey waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Delaware River main stem (PA/NJ boundary, above tidal section), Greenwood Lake (NY/NJ boundary), Monksville Reservoir, and 3 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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