New Jersey | Free Angler Registry

The Department of Environmental Protection announced today that New Jersey’s new free web-based saltwater fishing registry will go live this Wednesday, May 4.  According to the DEP’s official release, the registry will allow the state to comply with a federal mandate to collect angler names and contacts for improving data collection at the federal level.

Saltwater anglers fishing in New Jersey coastal waters who’ve not already registered to fish in marine waters are encouraged to visit NJ Saltwater Registry today.

New Jersey’s free saltwater fishing registry replaces a fee-based federal registry that state anglers were required to participate in and which has been in effect since January. All saltwater anglers and for-hire vessel operators will now be able to register through the no-fee state system rather than the fee-based federal system; the DEP said anglers must still register with the state, even if they have already registered with the federal system, although those fishing on a for-hire party or charter vessel already registered with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program are not required to file for an individual registration.