New Jersey Fish & Wildlife

09/15/2026

The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. The Draft Addendum considers options to reduce the Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap (Bay Cap) by up to 50% and distribute the cap more evenly throughout the fishing season. Learn more and register to attend a hearing here:

NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | States Schedule Public Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II | Post Description

09/15/2026

Join NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and conservation partners as they band Royal Tern chicks at Horseshoe Island. Royal Terns are one of New Jersey’s largest terns. They have a striking appearance, with a notable black crest on their heads that suggests a punk rock hairstyle. The colony on Horseshoe Island is the only colony in NJ and the furthest northern colony in the Western Hemisphere. By marking chicks with field readable color bands, biologists hope to learn more about their survival, migration and future breeding site selection. This species has a lot of personality, and we invite you to take a peek into their world!

See the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txLNNRC4S7I

09/14/2026

Migratory bat sightings wanted!

Following a successful pilot project last fall, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has a small number of ultra-lightweight BlūBat+ transmitters to attach to bats this migration season, starting now! We're most interested in tagging Silver-haired Bats and Northern Hoary Bats, but sightings of Eastern Red Bats are welcome and valuable as well. Your sightings will be helpful since these bats are otherwise difficult to come by. They may be spotted clinging to buildings, window screens, parking garage walls, shrubs or trees - any convenient place to rest along their journey.

If you notice one of these bats roosting, please take a photo and email it with the bat’s location to [email protected]. Please do not disturb or touch any bats you find.

This effort is part of a multi-state collaboration with researchers at Virginia Tech, as we embrace a new cellular tracking technology with hopes of learning how far our migratory bats travel, how they move through the landscape, and what challenges they may encounter along the way.

As always, we welcome sightings of any bat species in NJ at any time of year, as long as a close enough photo is provided that we can identify the species. Please share sightings using our NJ Wildlife Tracker form: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ae6c1dbdacd94562a25785433f612750. If you don't know the species, that's fine! Just select "Other."

Learn more about bats in New Jersey: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/conservation/bat-conservation/

09/11/2026

It’s a back to school special for this week’s Friday! Crosby, Jude, and Sarah reeled in these Hybrid Striped Bass just before classes began.

Most of the summer’s hot and humid days are behind us, cool mornings have begun, and soon the leaves will change. Fall trout stocking will begin on October 13, and starting this year, trout that were traditionally raised for winter stocking will be stocked as part of the fall program. We’re looking forward to another fun season of fishing!

09/11/2026

Bowhunters – practice for upcoming hunting seasons at the new 3D Archery Training Range at Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County! Have you shot the course yet?

The range offers archers of all skill levels a fun and challenging outdoor experience. There are 18 3D wildlife targets and a variety of shooting distances. The new range is located off Success Road. See a map here: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2628736187bc49a6ad990a42b1db4fe1&extent=-8287733.9077%2C4874925.2828%2C-8285440.7969%2C4875965.543%2C102100

The range will be closed annually from October 1 – March 15, so try it out before it closes for the season!

This work is made possible with state dedicated conservation dollars and revenue from the federal Wildlife Restoration Act, generated from the purchase of hunting and target shooting equipment. Your participation in hunting and the shooting sports supports conservation in New Jersey!

3D Range Rules:https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/3d-archery-training-range-rules-colliers-mills-wma.pdf

Range rules, hours and other information: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/nj-division-of-fish-and-wildlife-hunter-training-areas/

09/10/2026

Ready to try Muzzleloader hunting? If you’re looking to expand your hunting skills and take advantage of another New Jersey deer season, the Introduction to Muzzleloader workshop is your next stop! Learn the fundamentals of muzzleloader safety, regulations, equipment, loading and shooting from experienced instructors.

This is a two-day workshop. Participants must be able to attend both sessions:
• Classroom session on October 1, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Assunpink WMA Conservation Center
• One one-hour range session on October 4, between 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Colliers Mills Training Range

Don't have a muzzleloader? No problem! Muzzleloaders will be available and ammunition will be provided. Just bring your own eye and hearing protection.

Apply now: https://dep.nj.gov/event/introduction-to-muzzleloader-workshop-2026-10-01-and-2026-10-04/

09/10/2026

🌊 Saltwater anglers: please report your catches to us!

Participating in New Jersey’s Recreational Saltwater Volunteer Angler Survey helps us look at new ways to manage fisheries and potentially increase your fishing opportunities.

Anglers are encouraged to report data on all fish caught in New Jersey’s waters, except for striped bass already submitted through the Striped Bass Bonus Program. Submit your survey here: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/volunteer-angler-survey/

09/08/2026

The Early Fall Bow Deer Season opens this Saturday, September 12 in certain Deer Management Zones!

The first deer harvested must be antlerless (except for youth hunters) through October 2. The Fall Bow Season then opens statewide on Saturday, October 3.

2026-2027 Deer Hunting Regulations:https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/deer-hunting-regulations.pdf

Find your hunting zone: https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f911727918344032a64909181fc38fff

Purchase your license and permits: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/licenses-and-permits/

2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Digest: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/digests/hunting-and-trapping/

📸: Bill Klimas

09/07/2026

Interested in fishing this fall, but not sure where to start? Join NJDEP Fish & Wildlife for a free introductory family fishing workshop at the First Catch Center!
📅September 13
⏰10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery (Warren County)
🔗Registration is required (by September 10): https://dep.nj.gov/event/family-fishing-workshop-first-catch-center-at-hackettstown-hatchery-2026-09-13/

The workshop will cover fish biology, how to set up equipment, safety practices, bait and tackle choices, how to cast, and fishing regulations. Participants will put their new skills to practice with a fishing experience and leave the workshop with the knowledge and confidence to head out fishing on their own. All bait, tackle and equipment will be provided, however you will need to purchase your 2026 NJ Fishing License prior to participating in the workshop.

09/04/2026

This week’s is all about Largemouth Bass, which are one of New Jersey’s most popular gamefish. Kevin, John, and Shane caught some good-looking bass on recent outings. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery recently completed the 2026 bass production season, stocking nearly 250,000 fingerlings, yearlings, and adults in 55 different water bodies statewide.

Find a place to fish near you: https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6d2025b0b45444038a63366b81c7fab0