April 3, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife made changes to the 2020 Trout Season to help redistribute angling pressure allowing anglers to better maintain proper social distancing practices in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Consistent with Governor Murphy’s orders that all New Jerseyans practice social distancing in order to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), anglers must fish alone or with immediate family members and cannot fish in groups of any size (no matter how small), either on land or by boat. A minimum six-foot social distance between anglers must be maintained at all times. To disperse the fish and to help maintain social distancing among anglers, trout were released early and the NJ Fish and Game Council opened trout stocked waters for catch and release only for trout, from April 1 through April 10. Season, size, and creel limits for all other species apply, as well as any gear restrictions.

Anglers MUST NOT congregate in parking areas, boat ramps or at popular fishing locations. Conservation Police Officers, New Jersey State Park Police, and DEP staff are actively monitoring our parks and natural areas to ensure that individuals enjoying our natural resources are maintaining social distance. Any groups encountered will be instructed to disperse to maintain social distance, and if they do not comply, tickets will be issued by law enforcement.

2020 Spring Trout Information Here

COVID-19 Fishing Information

Purchase Your Freshwater licence online:

NJ Freshwater Fishing License Information(opens in a new tab)

Saltwater anglers don’t forget to register for free:

Don’t forget to register with NJ Salt Water Registry Here