May 23, 2017 — After an offseason filled with heated public debate, it’s time for the summer flounder fishing season to actually begin.
At an emergency session last Wednesday the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council made its recommendation for this year’s regulations, which were approved the following day by Bob Martin, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection commissioner.
The season starts Thursday. The regulations are as follows:
For all N.J. coastal waters
- 18-inch minimum size limit
- 3-fish possession limit
- Open season May 25 – Sept. 5
Delaware Bay and tributaries
- 17-inch minimum size limit
- 3-fish possession limit
- Open season May 25 – Sept. 5
Island Beach State Park (shore fishing only)
- 16-inch minimum size limit
- 2-fish possession limit
- Open season May 25 – Sept. 5
On Friday fishermen can also target black sea bass season. It will be another season of starts and stops. The regulations are as follows:
- 10-fish possession limit, 12.5-inch minimum size limit, May 26 – June 18
- 2-fish possession limit, 12.5-inch minimum size limit, July 1 – Aug. 31
- 15 fish possession limit, 12.5-inch minimum size limit, Oct. 22 – Dec. 31