The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stated that due to the unprecedented situation with COVID-19, the May 15 opening of the Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) may be delayed, and applications were not currently being accepted as previously planned for April 1. Anglers interested in participating in the SBBP should check online periodically at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bonusbas.htm for updates.
As a reminder, as of April 1, New Jersey’s striped bass regulations for coastal waters are one fish at 28 to less than 38 inches in length; for those fishing along the Delaware River from the Salem River to the Calhoun Street Bridge in Trenton there is a mandatory circle hook regulation in place until June 1 with no harvest of striped bass allowed during the spring spawn.
In Delaware, the striped bass limit is one fish, 28 to 35 inches, except in Delaware Bay, River and its tributaries from July 1 through August 31 during which time angler limit is one fish from 20 to 25 inches during ‘summer slot’ season. There is no harvest permitted from the Delaware spawning grounds from April 1 through May 31.
Those fishing in New York waters are reminded of the 28- to 35-inch slot and bass per person limit in effect from April 15 to December 15 on marine waters. On the Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge, the limit is one fish per person from 18 to 28 inches from April 1 through November 30.
