As a reminder, before heading out to your favorite lake, river, stream or reservoir this week for the start of trout season in the Garden State, you’ll need to have a valid fishing license and trout stamp in order to fish for or possess trout and salmon. The requirement is in place for all anglers 16 and over, and residents under 70 (no stamp required for residents 70 and over).
The same can be said for saltwater anglers fishing in New Jersey marine waters, though rather than paying a license fee it’s required that anglers register for free every year. “The registry is an important tool that will help fishermen and policy makers work together to better account for the contributions and impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems and coastal economies,” the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (Division) states on their NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program page online, adding “It is part of a national overhaul of the way NOAA collects and reports recreational fishing data.”
All anglers, freshwater or salt, must also complete the online Child Support Certification Form prior to obtaining either a freshwater license or saltwater registration; according to the Division, “This is a legislative requirement and has been required when purchasing hunting and freshwater fishing licenses for years.” For license and registration information, including the required Child Support Certification Form go to nj.aspirafocus.com/internetsales
