Whether by legislation or simple policy adjustment at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the ill-conceived and highly unpopular “lottery” for issuing mobile sport fishing permits at Island Beach State Park seems to be one and done.
On the legislative front, Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (District 12) introduced Assembly Bill 4940 (A4940) on May 7, 2026, which if passed would prohibit the NJDEP and State Parks from limiting the number of mobile sport fishing permits issued annually at Island Beach State Park.
According to NJDEP’s own records, there were 11,609 applications for annual Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle (MSFV) permits at Island Beach State Park for the 2026 season, with 8,000 permits issued and nearly 4,000 applicants turned down. A4940 would effectively eliminate the 8000-permit cap thereby rendering moot any need for a random lottery for permit sales.
Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (District 24) and Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin (District 10) the bill would also direct NJDEP and State Parks to require proof of a valid registration with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program in the form of a valid New Jersey Conservation Identification Number for any MSFV permit application starting on December 15, 2027.
Additionally, the Sauickie led bill would require NJDEP to dedicate no less than 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale of mobile sport fishing permits each calendar year to the maintenance of Island Beach State Park. On Monday, May 18, a senate version of the bill (S4317) was introduced by senators James W. Holzapfel (District 10) and Carmen F. Amato, Jr. (District 9).
“When I met with the anglers and other advocates, I was impressed not only with their strong case for permit reform, but also with their clear commitment to helping maintain Island Beach State Park,” Sauickie said. “Governor Sherrill has said she will work on permitting reform to help businesses dealing with state government, which would be good for our economy. I hope she also considers my bill to reform mobile sport fishing permits to help our state’s anglers as well,” the republican from Ocean County added.
Following introduction of the Sauickie, Fantasia and McGuckin bill, NJDEP and State Parks staffers met in a private meeting with stakeholders on May 12th regarding growing demand for beach buggy permits at Island Beach State Park, while pledging to the assembled group that they would be removing the 8000-permit cap in their online permit sales system for the 2027 season.
In a presentation distributed to stakeholders, NJDEP and State Parks said there will still be a hard cap on the number of vehicles on the beach at any given time, but when MSFVP sales begin again on December 15 the cap on actual permits will be no more, as will the lottery.
For 2027, NJDEP and State Parks said they plan to “manage access based on real-time capacity, not permit limits,” while adding that “access will be supported by improved technology and better system reliability.” The “technology” in terms of hardware and software have yet to be defined, but a license plate reader at the park entrance had been discussed in various meetings over the winter which could instantly match a person’s license plate to their MSFVP decal to ensure each entry is valid while tallying the number of permitted drivers in the park at any one time.
Similar to Assembly bill A4940, those looking to get a buggy permit at Island Beach would also have to provide proof of valid registration with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry upon permit purchase.
However, unlike the legislation which has been referred to the state Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for review, NJDEP and State Parks staffers told stakeholders during their private meeting on May 12th that they are also proposing a reservations system at Island Beach State Park on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day starting in 2027, with a weekend reservation window open on Tuesday for Saturday visits, opening Wednesday for Sundays.
Surfcasters unhappy with their experience in securing one of the limited number of MSFV permits in recent years should contact their state legislative district office and ask them to sign on in support of Assembly Bill A4940 and Senate Bill S4317.
