What special fishing regulations apply at Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties)?

Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Jersey's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass (rockfish) and Summer flounder (fluke). One of them reads: "NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry required; ASMFC harmonized striped bass 28–31 in slot, 1 / day; spring + fall surf migrations from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point; tautog (blackfish) Oct 11 – Nov 15 + Nov 16 – Dec 31 typical season per NJDEP; bluefish + summer flounder + winter flounder." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties)'s special rules replace New Jersey's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Jersey's statewide 2026 regulations apply on NJ Atlantic surf by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on NJ Atlantic surf?

Striped bass (rockfish) and Summer flounder (fluke) have a water-body-specific rule on Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties), each linking to its full New Jersey regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Jersey limits.

2026 regulation year

Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties) 2026 — New Jersey Fishing Regulations

New Jersey statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties) carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of New Jersey's 2026 fishing rules — covering Striped bass (rockfish), Summer flounder (fluke). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties) (NJ) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry required; ASMFC harmonized striped bass 28–31 in slot, 1 / day; spring + fall surf migrations from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point; tautog (blackfish) Oct 11 – Nov 15 + Nov 16 – Dec 31 typical season per NJDEP; bluefish + summer flounder + winter flounder
Source: New Jersey special-water list

Per-species rules on Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties)

Striped bass (rockfish) regulations →
28–31 in slot, 1 / day; ASMFC harmonized
Summer flounder (fluke) regulations →
18 in min, 3 / day per current NJDEP notice

Official source

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (freshwater) + NJ Marine Fisheries Administration (saltwater) publishes the authoritative 2026 New Jersey fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official New Jersey fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven 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.

Other special-regulation waters in New Jersey

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties)?: Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Jersey's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass (rockfish) and Summer flounder (fluke). One of them reads: "NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry required; ASMFC harmonized striped bass 28–31 in slot, 1 / day; spring + fall surf migrations from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point; tautog (blackfish) Oct 11 – Nov 15 + Nov 16 – Dec 31 typical season per NJDEP; bluefish + summer flounder + winter flounder." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties)?: Yes. Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties) is in New Jersey, so a valid New Jersey fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (freshwater) + NJ Marine Fisheries Administration (saltwater). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for NJ Atlantic surf; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Jersey rules.
Do Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties)'s special rules replace New Jersey's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Jersey's statewide 2026 regulations apply on NJ Atlantic surf by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on NJ Atlantic surf?: Striped bass (rockfish) and Summer flounder (fluke) have a water-body-specific rule on Atlantic Coast surf + 3-mile state water (Monmouth to Cape May Counties), each linking to its full New Jersey regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Jersey limits.

← Back to New Jersey regulations overview