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Cape May

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

New Jersey, United States

4.7·1629 catches

Top fish species at Cape May

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Cape May fishing reports

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Spot croaker

length · weight

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Spot croaker

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Dusky smooth-hound

length · weight

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Dusky smooth-hound

length · weight

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Dusky smooth-hound

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Gray weakfish

length · weight

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General info

Cape May is a part of an ocean located in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is most popular for fishing Dusky smooth-hound, Summer flounder, and Sandbar shark.

Location

38°58′54.9″N 74°58′0.9″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Cape May, NJ

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in New Jersey can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Dusky smooth-hound

Dusky smooth-hound

Regulation boundaryNew Jersey State Waters
Additional information
No closed season. No possession limit. No size limit.
Synonyms
Dusky smoothhound, Mustelus canis
Season closed: September 26 - May 3
Summer flounder

Summer flounder

Regulation boundaryNew Jersey State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Required licenses
All saltwater anglers must register with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. To register, visit http://www.saltwaterregistry.nj.gov
Additional information
Possession and size limits: Delaware Bay & Tributaries: 3 fish at 17 inchesIsland Beach State Park: 2 fish at 16 inchesAll Other Marine Waters: 3 fish at 18 inchesFor more info see NJ Fish and Wildlife 2024 Angler Summary.Federal regulations are waived for Summer Flounder, and recreational anglers shall follow regulations for the state in which their catch is landed.
Synonyms
Fluke, Paralichthys dentatus
Species prohibited
Sandbar shark

Sandbar shark

Regulation boundaryHighly Migratory Species

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange this species.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Additional information
Sharks can be difficult to ID. Remember: If you don't know, let it go. For help with shark identification, download the Recreational Atlantic HMS Shark ID Placard (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/species/sharks/documents/shark_id_placard_532017_web.pdf) or the Prohibited Shark ID Placard (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/species/sharks/documents/prohibited_shark_id_placard_5302017_web.pdf)
Synonyms
Carcharhinus plumbeus
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Local laws and licenses

New Jersey fishing license

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Reviews of Cape May

4.7
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38 ratings

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Cities nearby

North Cape May

0.9 miles away

Villas

2.9 miles away

Cape May Point

3.1 miles away

Lower

3.1 miles away

West Cape May

3.2 miles away

Erma

4.1 miles away

Cape May

4.4 miles away

Rio Grande

5.4 miles away

Diamond Beach

6.3 miles away

Whitesboro

6.7 miles away

Wildwood Crest

7.0 miles away

West Wildwood

7.8 miles away

Wildwood

7.9 miles away

Burleigh

8.0 miles away

North Wildwood

9.1 miles away

Middle

10.1 miles away

Cape May Court House

10.3 miles away

Stone Harbor

11.8 miles away

Goshen

12.9 miles away

Avalon

14.5 miles away

South Dennis

15.7 miles away

Delmont

16.1 miles away

Heislerville

16.7 miles away

Dennisville

17.1 miles away

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FAQ about Cape May fishing

📍 Where is Cape May located?
Cape May is a part of an ocean located in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°58′54.9″N 74°58′0.9″W
.
🎣 Where on Cape May is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Cape May by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Cape May?
The most common species in Cape May are:
📢 What are the latest Cape May fishing reports?
The latest Cape May fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Cape May right now?
According to fishing regulations at Cape May, some of the species in season this November include: Black sea bass, Atlantic cod, Tautog, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Scup. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cape May?

Fishing in New Jersey requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, purchasable online or at licensed agents.

In New Jersey, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 70 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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