Important: This layer is meant to be viewed in conjunction with Artificial Reef Sites of New Jersey. The original “New Jersey’s Recreational and Commercial Ocean Fishing Grounds” charts were first created in 1982 with a second printing in 1984. In 2003, the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Marine Fisheries, with funding from the Coastal Management Program, updated the map in digital format for inclusion in the Department's Geographic Information System. The updating of the map was accomplished through direct interviews with recreational fishing boat captains. Prime recreational fishing grounds identified in the various publications referenced in the rule and commercially prepared sport fishing charts (Homeport Charts and Charter Boat Charts) were transferred onto two sets of NOAA nautical charts, which served as the working or base map. For fishing grounds within 20 nautical miles of the coast, NOAA nautical charts Series 12326, 12323, 12318 and 12214 at a scale of 1:80,000 were used. For fishing beyond 20 nautical miles NOAA nautical charts Series 12200 and 12300 at a scale of 1:400,000 were used. During the summer of 2003, 28 party boat captains, 47 charter boat captains and 22 private boat captains from each fishing port (inlet) along the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey were interviewed by Department staff. These recreational fishing party boat, charter boat and private boat captains were selected because they fish the ocean waters on a daily basis using a wide variety of methods to catch a variety of fish species. The interview process entailed examining the accuracy of the already delineated prime fishing areas on the base map. Fishermen modified the base map by drawing their changes on the map. In general, modifications to the boundaries of the prime fishing areas resulted in an increase to the size of the prime fishing area. In a similar fashion, the captains drew new prime fishing areas on the base maps. The revised base maps were then digitized into the New Jersey Specific Sport Ocean Fishing Grounds Coverage. In 2018, the NJ Bureau of Marine Fisheries again updated the New Jersey Prime Fishing Grounds to include all current 17 artificial reef sites, and updated Homeport Charts. Under the DEP’s plan to balance access, regulations have set aside a portion of the Sandy Hook Reef and two sections of the Axel Carlson Reef as Full Access Zones. These are areas where persons may use, leave, deploy, or tend lobster conch, fish pot gear. Recreational hook and line anglers are not prohibited from utilizing the Full Access Zones for fishing. The use of fixed gear is prohibited on all other reef sites as they are all deemed Special Management Zones by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Service as well as Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council. The use of fixed gear on any reef or portion of a reef not explicitly defined is prohibited and punishable by law (N.J.A.C. 7:25-18.5A). The 1nm buffer polygons were incorporated to represent the entire surrounding area where fishing opportunity associated with each point feature may occur.

Important: This layer is meant to be viewed in conjunction with Prime Fishing Grounds of New Jersey and Prime Fishing Grounds (Points) of New Jersey. The original “New Jersey’s Recreational and Commercial Ocean Fishing Grounds” charts were first created in 1982 with a second printing in 1984. In 2003, the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Marine Fisheries, with funding from the Coastal Management Program, updated the map in digital format for inclusion in the Department's Geographic Information System. The updating of the map was accomplished through direct interviews with recreational fishing boat captains. Prime recreational fishing grounds identified in the various publications referenced in the rule and commercially prepared sport fishing charts (Homeport Charts and Charter Boat Charts) were transferred onto two sets of NOAA nautical charts, which served as the working or base map. For fishing grounds within 20 nautical miles of the coast, NOAA nautical charts Series 12326, 12323, 12318 and 12214 at a scale of 1:80,000 were used. For fishing beyond 20 nautical miles NOAA nautical charts Series 12200 and 12300 at a scale of 1:400,000 were used. During the summer of 2003, 28 party boat captains, 47 charter boat captains and 22 private boat captains from each fishing port (inlet) along the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey were interviewed by Department staff. These recreational fishing party boat, charter boat and private boat captains were selected because they fish the ocean waters on a daily basis using a wide variety of methods to catch a variety of fish species. The interview process entailed examining the accuracy of the already delineated prime fishing areas on the base map. Fishermen modified the base map by drawing their changes on the map. In general, modifications to the boundaries of the prime fishing areas resulted in an increase to the size of the prime fishing area. In a similar fashion, the captains drew new prime fishing areas on the base maps. The revised base maps were then digitized into the New Jersey Specific Sport Ocean Fishing Grounds Coverage. In 2018, the NJ Bureau of Marine Fisheries again updated the New Jersey Prime Fishing Grounds to include all current 17 artificial reef sites, and updated Homeport Charts.

This data is meant to be viewed in conjunction with Artificial Reef Sites of New Jersey and Prime Fishing Grounds (Points) of New Jersey. The original “New Jersey’s Recreational and Commercial Ocean Fishing Grounds” charts were first created in 1982 with a second printing in 1984. In 2003, the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Marine Fisheries, with funding from the Coastal Management Program, updated the map in digital format for inclusion in the Department's Geographic Information System. The updating of the map was accomplished through direct interviews with recreational fishing boat captains. Additional Source Info: https://gisdata-njdep.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/njdep::prime-fishing-grounds-of-new-jersey/aboutView Dataset on the Gateway

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities, and Other Earnings in New Jersey was 361169.00000 Thous. of $ in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities, and Other Earnings in New Jersey reached a record high of 386080.00000 in April of 2023 and a record low of 73428.00000 in April of 2008. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities, and Other Earnings in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

State Tax Collections: T23 Hunting and Fishing License for New Jersey was 4.00000 Mil. of U.S. $ in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Tax Collections: T23 Hunting and Fishing License for New Jersey reached a record high of 12.00000 in October of 2022 and a record low of 1.00000 in October of 1994. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Tax Collections: T23 Hunting and Fishing License for New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities and Other Wages and Salaries in New Jersey was 179428.00000 Thous. of $ in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities and Other Wages and Salaries in New Jersey reached a record high of 186128.00000 in April of 2023 and a record low of 48208.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities and Other Wages and Salaries in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey was 1329.60000 Mil. of $ in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey reached a record high of 1541.20000 in January of 2022 and a record low of 530.70000 in January of 1999. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

State Government Tax Collections, Hunting and Fishing Licenses in New Jersey was 14962.00000 Thous. of $ in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, State Government Tax Collections, Hunting and Fishing Licenses in New Jersey reached a record high of 22279.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 328.00000 in January of 1942. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for State Government Tax Collections, Hunting and Fishing Licenses in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey was 1343.30000 Mil. of $ in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey reached a record high of 1731.50000 in October of 2022 and a record low of 677.70000 in October of 2005. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Gross Domestic Product: Forestry, Fishing, and Related Activities (NAICS 113-115) in New Jersey was 406.30000 Mil. of $ in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Gross Domestic Product: Forestry, Fishing, and Related Activities (NAICS 113-115) in New Jersey reached a record high of 406.30000 in January of 2024 and a record low of 127.80000 in January of 2005. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Gross Domestic Product: Forestry, Fishing, and Related Activities (NAICS 113-115) in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Real Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey was 990.00000 Mil. of Chn. 2009 $ in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Real Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey reached a record high of 1219.70000 in April of 2020 and a record low of 570.70000 in January of 2013. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Real Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Important: This layer is meant to be viewed in conjunction with Artificial Reef Sites of New Jersey and Prime Fishing Grounds (Points) of New Jersey. The original “New Jersey’s Recreational and Commercial Ocean Fishing Grounds” charts were first created in 1982 with a second printing in 1984. In 2003, the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Marine Fisheries, with funding from the Coastal Management Program, updated the map in digital format for inclusion in the Department's Geographic Information System. The updating of the map was accomplished through direct interviews with recreational fishing boat captains. Prime recreational fishing grounds identified in the various publications referenced in the rule and commercially prepared sport fishing charts (Homeport Charts and Charter Boat Charts) were transferred onto two sets of NOAA nautical charts, which served as the working or base map. For fishing grounds within 20 nautical miles of the coast, NOAA nautical charts Series 12326, 12323, 12318 and 12214 at a scale of 1:80,000 were used. For fishing beyond 20 nautical miles NOAA nautical charts Series 12200 and 12300 at a scale of 1:400,000 were used. During the summer of 2003, 28 party boat captains, 47 charter boat captains and 22 private boat captains from each fishing port (inlet) along the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey were interviewed by Department staff. These recreational fishing party boat, charter boat and private boat captains were selected because they fish the ocean waters on a daily basis using a wide variety of methods to catch a variety of fish species. The interview process entailed examining the accuracy of the already delineated prime fishing areas on the base map. Fishermen modified the base map by drawing their changes on the map. In general, modifications to the boundaries of the prime fishing areas resulted in an increase to the size of the prime fishing area. In a similar fashion, the captains drew new prime fishing areas on the base maps. The revised base maps were then digitized into the New Jersey Specific Sport Ocean Fishing Grounds Coverage. In 2018, the NJ Bureau of Marine Fisheries again updated the New Jersey Prime Fishing Grounds to include all current 17 artificial reef sites, and updated Homeport Charts.

Chain-Type Quantity Index for Real GDP: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey was 116.73400 Index 2009=100 in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Chain-Type Quantity Index for Real GDP: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey reached a record high of 121.53200 in January of 2019 and a record low of 66.76900 in January of 1997. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Chain-Type Quantity Index for Real GDP: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) in New Jersey - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

The Fishing industry in New Jersey is expected to decline an annualized -x.x% to $x.x million over the five years to 2025, while the national industry will likely decline at -x.x% during the same period. Industry establishments increased an annualized x.x% to x,xxx locations. Industry employment has increased an annualized x.x% to x,xxx workers, while industry wages have decreased an annualized -x.x% to $x.x million.

The Communities at Sea maps use Vessel Trip Report location point data as input to create density polygons representing visitation frequency ("fisherdays"). The data show total labor including crew time and the time spent in transit to and from fishing locations. They do not show other variables such as vessel value or number of pounds landed. The results can be interpreted as maps of "community presence." This layer shows data for the gillnet fishing gear group for Point Pleasant, NJ from 2011-2015.

The Fish & Seafood Wholesaling industry in New Jersey is expected to grow an annualized x.x% to $x.x million over the five years to 2025, while the national industry will likely grow at x.x% during the same period. Industry establishments decreased an annualized -x.x% to xxx locations. Industry employment has decreased an annualized -x.x% to xxx workers, while industry wages have increased an annualized x.x% to $x.x million.

The Communities at Sea maps use Vessel Trip Report location point data as input to create density polygons representing visitation frequency ("fisherdays"). The data show total labor including crew time and the time spent in transit to and from fishing locations. They do not show other variables such as vessel value or number of pounds landed. The results can be interpreted as maps of "community presence." This layer shows data for the pots and traps fishing gear group for Cape May, NJ from 2011-2015.

The Communities at Sea maps use Vessel Trip Report location point data as input to create density polygons representing visitation frequency ("fisherdays"). The data show total labor including crew time and the time spent in transit to and from fishing locations. They do not show other variables such as vessel value or number of pounds landed. The results can be interpreted as maps of "community presence." This layer shows data for the small bottom trawl fishing gear group for Cape May, NJ from 2011-2015.

Each year, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks approximately 570,000 trout in 181 waterbodies in New Jersey. Anglers who purchase a trout stamp in addition to their New Jersey fishing license are eligible to fish for trout in these waters in accordance with listed timing restrictions, catch and release restrictions, size limits, and other regulations listed in our freshwater fishing digest (https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/freshwater/new-jersey-freshwater-fishing-digest/). This data layer shows the 86 stocked lakes and ponds, and links to the stocking schedule. Clicking on a lake or pond within the map will pull up the stocking table showing the number of fish to be stocked during the preseason and each week. The final approved stocking schedule will be published on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website at the link below. Also, the schedule is subject to trout production issues and may change due to rain or emergency weather conditions. For these unplanned stocking schedule changes or other necessary adjustments, visit our website at https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/trtinfo_spring.htm.

By using this advisory, you have the necessary information to make an informed choice on the number of meals of fish to consume. You can reduce your risk further by eating less than the advisory meal frequency, however, this needs to be balanced with the health benefits of eating fish. The limits that follow each species assume that no other contaminated fish are being eaten. If you eat more than one species of fish listed in the advisory, the total consumption of fish should not exceed the recommended frequency as a guideline for consumption. The best approach is to use the lowest recommended frequency as a guideline for consumption. High Risk Individuals: Includes infants, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and women of childbearing age. General Population: Includes all others not in the high-risk category. PCB advisories for the General Population are presented in meal frequencies (for example: one meal per month or four meals per year). This range is based on an estimated 1 in 10,000 risk of cancer during your lifetime from eating fish at the advisory level. This means that one additional cancer may occur in 10,000 people eating fish at the advisory level for a lifetime. If your specific fishing location is not mentioned within the advisories, this does not mean the fish are free of contamination. Not all New Jersey waters or fish species have been tested, and not all fish species were found in all locations, or in some cases available data were insufficient to list a species for a specific water body. If your fishing area is not mentioned in the guidelines, follow the statewide advisory for the listed species or follow the general freshwater advisory of not more than one meal per week for (general Population) or one meal per month (high-risk individuals) for freshwaters. To download a copy of the advisories in there entirety, please download the report from: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/Fish_Advisories_2018.pdf