New Jersey Fish & Wildlife

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife New Jersey Fish & Wildlife is a part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife (NJF&W) is a professional organization dedicated to the management and conservation of the state's fish and wildlife resources. NJF&W has a rich heritage dating back to 1892 and the creation of a commission form of wildlife administration with an appointed, salaried Fish and Game Protector. This was an addition to nine county wardens who were first authorized in 1871.

This week’s is a family affair! The Mackin family reeled in a solid Walleye, Kevin and Brooke enjoyed a beautiful day ...
06/12/2026

This week’s is a family affair! The Mackin family reeled in a solid Walleye, Kevin and Brooke enjoyed a beautiful day on the water catching Largemouths nonstop, and Sarah and Lainey spent a relaxing day exploring a trout stream.

Schools are wrapping up for the year, marking the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Spend some time this summer exploring a new fishing spot or try to catch a new species. There are great fishing opportunities all around the Garden State!

Find a place to fish near you: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7693715a5e7643c9823e2df5c164fb53

06/11/2026

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife would like to thank New Jersey’s anglers for your continued support and contribution to the conservation of our state’s natural resources. When you purchase fishing equipment in New Jersey, excise tax dollars come back to our state to support freshwater and marine fisheries! This is the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Your license fees and federal Sport Fish Restoration dollars produce the following benefits:
• Management of public waters
• Production of the sport fish stocked in public waters
• Development and management of public fishing areas
• Creation of aquatic education programs
• Development and maintenance of boating-associated access facilities throughout the state

The Diamondback Terrapin is the only turtle that is known to spend its entire life in coastal, brackish marshlands. Brac...
06/11/2026

The Diamondback Terrapin is the only turtle that is known to spend its entire life in coastal, brackish marshlands. Brackish waters are waters that have more salinity than freshwater, but less than saltwater, and typically occur where fresh and saltwater meet.

In New Jersey’s coastal areas at this time of year, female Diamondback Terrapins are searching for suitable places to lay their eggs. If you decide to help them cross the road, use these tips:
• When safe to do so, pick the turtle up by grabbing its shell with both hands between its front and hind legs.
• Place the turtle off the road into dirt or grass in the direction it was heading.
• Do not move a terrapin a long distance to “somewhere safe”. They have very small home ranges.

Use caution when entering the roadway and stay safe!

📸: Ben Wurst

🐢 It’s ! Shellebrate with us by sharing your favorite turtle species in the comments! The United States is a global h...
06/09/2026

🐢 It’s ! Shellebrate with us by sharing your favorite turtle species in the comments!

The United States is a global hotspot for turtle biodiversity. Our country is home to a greater number of terrestrial and freshwater turtle species than any other country in the world. New Jersey has 11 different species of native turtles, and five species of sea turtles can often be found off our coast and in our bays.

Use the NJ Wildlife Tracker to report rare wildlife species sightings and observations of wildlife on roadways: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/conservation/reporting-rare-wildlife-sightings/

📸: Box turtle by Brian Zarate

#🐢

Got shell? If you enjoy eating clams and oysters at home, we want your shell! This spring, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Mari...
06/09/2026

Got shell? If you enjoy eating clams and oysters at home, we want your shell!

This spring, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Marine Resources Administration launched two new public shell drop-off locations that are now open to the public.

Jacques Cousteau NERR hosts a public drop-off at their Education Center, located at 130 Great Bay Boulevard in Tuckerton, NJ. This public drop-off will be maintained by volunteers who transport the shell to an off-site storage location.

ACUA - Atlantic County Utilities Authority hosts our newest public drop-off location at their Environmental Park located at 6700 Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The public shell drop-off neighbors other specialized recycling containers, including shredded paper, books, media, and more! The public drop-off is conveniently located across from the weigh station.

For the most up-to-date information on public shell drop-offs, please visit our website at https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/shell/.

Job seekers: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife is hiring!Agency Services Representative📍Trenton – Bureau of Business Administration🔗...
06/08/2026

Job seekers: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife is hiring!

Agency Services Representative
📍Trenton – Bureau of Business Administration
🔗https://njdepartmentofenvironmentalprotection.applytojob.com/apply/0QLaC3pKL6/FW20269-Agency-Services-Representative-Trainee

Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Apprentice (2 positions)
📍Millville – Bureau of Land Management
📍Port Republic – Bureau of Marine Habitat and Shellfisheries
🔗https://njdepartmentofenvironmentalprotection.applytojob.com/apply/3yOgkQAbra/FW20268-Parks-And-Wildlife-Maintenance-Apprentice

Summer is almost here, and warmwater fishing is heating up in New Jersey! Staff from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Hackettstow...
06/05/2026

Summer is almost here, and warmwater fishing is heating up in New Jersey! Staff from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery stocked over 2,000 Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish and Bluegill into 18 ponds throughout the state, just in time for Free Fishing Day (tomorrow, June 6). See the stocking table in the fourth photo to see where we stocked. These waterbodies are also recent additions to the spring trout stocking program.

Largemouth Bass: 12”-17”, 14” average
Channel Catfish: 16”-22”, 19” average
Bluegill: 6”-7”

Get outdoors and enjoy the excellent fishing opportunities in your backyard – they just got even better!

Free Fishing Day is this Saturday, June 6! On Free Fishing Day, New Jersey residents may fish the state’s public waters ...
06/04/2026

Free Fishing Day is this Saturday, June 6!

On Free Fishing Day, New Jersey residents may fish the state’s public waters without a license or trout stamp. All other regulations including size and daily catch limits remain in effect.

In addition to Free Fishing Day, this year marks the 11th Annual Youth Fishing Challenge (YFC). The YFC offers free fishing events on June 6 and 7 for youth (aged 20 and under), and participants are eligible to receive prizes. To participate, contact the site-specific host for registration details: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/hooked-on-fishing-not-on-drugs-youth-fishing-challenge/

After Free Fishing Day, anglers who have not yet purchased a 2026 license can introduce someone to fishing by purchasing Fishing Buddy Licenses. Fishing Buddy Licenses are available at reduced cost for existing anglers and beginners, or two new anglers. For more information, visit: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/freshwater/fishing-buddy-licenses/

Find a fishing spot near you: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/freshwater/where-to-go/

Freshwater Fishing Regulations: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/digests/freshwater-fishing/

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Hooked on Fishing Program is hosting the 11th Annual Youth Fishing Challenge (YFC) statewide to ...
06/02/2026

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Hooked on Fishing Program is hosting the 11th Annual Youth Fishing Challenge (YFC) statewide to introduce youth, ages 20 and younger, to freshwater fishing and to encourage children to avoid drugs, alcohol and to***co by pursuing fun activities.

The free events around the state will be held rain or shine on either Free Fishing Day, Saturday, June 6, when a fishing license and trout stamp are NOT required for anyone age 16 and over, or Sunday, June 7, when a fishing license and trout stamp are required for anyone age 16 and over.

The Youth Fishing Challenge rules, age requirements and event times vary by challenge location.

Winners are eligible to receive prizes for the fish they catch and must be present at the end of the event to claim prizes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to enjoy fishing during the challenge but are ineligible for prizes.

To participate, contact the site-specific host for registration details: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/hooked-on-fishing-not-on-drugs-youth-fishing-challenge/

Interested in learning to fish or get back into fishing? Women age 18+ are invited to join NJDEP Fish & Wildlife for a f...
06/01/2026

Interested in learning to fish or get back into fishing? Women age 18+ are invited to join NJDEP Fish & Wildlife for a free introductory fishing workshop!
📅June 13
⏰10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery (Warren County)
🔗Registration is required (by June 3): https://dep.nj.gov/event/womens-fishing-workshop-first-catch-center-at-the-hackettstown-hatchery-2026-06-13/

The workshop will cover fish biology, how to set up equipment, safety practices, bait and tackle choices, how to cast, and fishing regulations. Participants will put their new skills to practice with a fishing experience and leave the workshop with the knowledge and confidence to head out fishing on their own. All bait, tackle and equipment will be provided, however you will need to purchase your 2026 NJ Fishing License prior to participating in the workshop.

Address

501 East State Street
Trenton, NJ
08625

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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