Saltwater Fishing License For New Jersey NJ Saltwater Registry

In 2010 I registered for N.O.A.A., which is the federal saltwater registry program. I fish in the Saltwaters of New Jersey and back in 2010, just registering the federal registry (N.O.A.A.) used to be enough to allow you to fish legally in New Jersey but no longer.

Now, in 2011, in order to Saltwater fish in the oceans, inlets, bays, etc in NJ you ALSO need to be registered with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.  The program is run by the state of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP).

I use the term "license" very loosely in this article.  People associate this registration with fish licensing but it really isn't.  Technically, according to the NJ DEP website, this registration does not exempt you from other licensing like freshwater fishing or other regions where special permits, etc are needed.

Some people are exempt but since laws an regulations change, I won't state the exemptions here.  Please refer to the website below for all questions.

As with any article I write regarding laws and regulations, keep in mind that my posts are NOT affiliated with the official authorities on these matters. Always, always double check with local authorities before fishing to make sure you are compliant and have the proper fishing licenses.

Keep in mind that if you have already registered with (federal)  NOAA, you still MUST register with (state) NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program if you want to fish the salt waters of New Jersey. As of 2011 the NJ program is free but, of course, always subject to change by the government.

Go on to http://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/    This is the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program website where you will get your saltwater fishing " license "

Scroll down the page and click the "Individual Registration" button

Answer the question as to whether you are a US citizen or non-US citizen

Click the "Continue" button

Contact form appears. Fill in all of your contact information

If your contact info appears OK click the "Submit Registration" button

Your NJ saltwater fishing license will appear.  Go ahead and print it out and keep it with you whenever you fish in New Jersey

Again, always check for updates on the NJ Dep website as laws change faster than this article ever will :-)   I wrote this article to put in you the right direction for getting proper permit, registration, "license", etc. but do not consider this legal advise.  Always check with local authorities to be certain you are complying with proper fishing regulations.