What special fishing regulations apply at Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)?

Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override New Jersey's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Muskellunge (incl. tiger musky). One of them reads: "505-acre Highlands reservoir; muskellunge 44 in min (Trophy Musky Water), 1 / day — NJ's flagship pure-strain muskellunge + state-record water (42 lb 13 oz, 1997); walleye 18 in min, 3 / day; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 5 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)?

Yes. Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) 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 Monksville Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Jersey rules.

Do Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)'s special rules replace New Jersey's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Jersey's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Monksville Reservoir 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 Monksville Reservoir?

Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Muskellunge (incl. tiger musky) have a water-body-specific rule on Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County), each linking to its full New Jersey regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Jersey limits.

2026 regulation year

Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) 2026 — New Jersey Fishing Regulations

New Jersey statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of New Jersey's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Walleye, Muskellunge (incl. tiger musky). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) (NJ) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

505-acre Highlands reservoir; muskellunge 44 in min (Trophy Musky Water), 1 / day — NJ's flagship pure-strain muskellunge + state-record water (42 lb 13 oz, 1997); walleye 18 in min, 3 / day; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 5 / day combined
Source: New Jersey special-water list

Per-species rules on Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 5 / day combined; tiger musky management lake
Walleye regulations →
18 in min, 3 / day; statewide season
Muskellunge (incl. tiger musky) regulations →
44 in min (Trophy Musky Water), 1 / day; NJ's flagship pure-strain muskellunge water + state-record water (42 lb 13 oz, 1997)

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

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)?: Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override New Jersey's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Muskellunge (incl. tiger musky). One of them reads: "505-acre Highlands reservoir; muskellunge 44 in min (Trophy Musky Water), 1 / day — NJ's flagship pure-strain muskellunge + state-record water (42 lb 13 oz, 1997); walleye 18 in min, 3 / day; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 5 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)?: Yes. Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County) 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 Monksville Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Jersey rules.
Do Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County)'s special rules replace New Jersey's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Jersey's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Monksville Reservoir 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 Monksville Reservoir?: Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Muskellunge (incl. tiger musky) have a water-body-specific rule on Monksville Reservoir (Passaic County), 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