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Bidwell Creek

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

New Jersey, United States

5.0·8 catches

Top fish species at Bidwell Creek

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Check which species have trophy potential in Bidwell Creek

Bidwell Creek fishing reports

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American eel

length · weight

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Tautog

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Summer flounder

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Striped bass

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General info

Bidwell Creek is a stream located in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, American eel, and Tautog.

Location

39°07′2.3″N 74°52′1.4″W
Directions

When are Striped Bass biting on Bidwell Creek?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Bidwell Creek. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Bidwell Creek, 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
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryNew Jersey State Waters
Bag limit1

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 size28" (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.

Max size31" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

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.

Special gear

NJ Circle Hook

Anglers are required to use non-offset (inline) circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with bait in all waters. Bait is defined as any marine or aquatic organism live or dead, whole or parts thereof. This shall not apply to any artificial lure with bait attached. Striped bass caught on any unapproved method of take must be returned to the water immediately without unnecessary injury.

Restrictions & requirements

NJ No Gaff

It is prohibited for any person to gaff striped bass when fishing recreationally.

Required licenses
All saltwater anglers must register with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. To register, visit http://www.saltwaterregistry.nj.gov
Additional information
Effective on July 2, 2023: 1 striped bass from 28" to 31" in all state watersAtlantic Ocean (0 to 3 miles from shore): no closed seasonAll other marine waters: open Mar. 1 to Dec. 31Delaware River and tributaries from Calhoun St. Bridge, Trenton to Salem River and tributaries: closed from April 1 until May 31The emergency action will not affect the Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP):1 fish @ 24" to less than 28"Open season: May 15 to December 31Non-offset (inline) circle hooks must be used when fishing for striped bass with natural bait in all waters; see NJ Striped Bass Hook Requirements.
Synonyms
Morone saxatilis
Season open: year-round
American eel

American eel

Regulation boundaryNew Jersey State Waters
Bag limit25

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 size9" (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.

Additional information
No closed season.
Edibility
May contain elevated mercury levels.
Synonyms
Anguilla rostrata
Season open: August 1 - February 28
Tautog

Tautog

Regulation boundaryNew Jersey State Waters
Min size15" (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
January 1 thru February 28 bag limit = 4 tautog per person April 1 thru April 30 bag limit = 4 tautog per person August 1 thru Nov 15 bag limit = 1 tautog per person November 16 thru December 31 bag limit = 5 tautog per person
Edibility
Chris R. says they're delicious!
Synonyms
Tautoga onitis
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Local laws and licenses

New Jersey fishing license

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Reviews of Bidwell Creek

5.0
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1 ratings

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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Goshen

2.2 miles away

Middle

2.9 miles away

Cape May Court House

3.6 miles away

Burleigh

4.8 miles away

South Dennis

5.0 miles away

Whitesboro

5.2 miles away

Dennisville

6.3 miles away

Rio Grande

6.8 miles away

Stone Harbor

7.2 miles away

Avalon

7.3 miles away

South Seaville

7.4 miles away

Villas

7.9 miles away

Delmont

8.1 miles away

Woodbine

8.3 miles away

West Wildwood

8.4 miles away

Erma

8.5 miles away

North Wildwood

8.6 miles away

Ocean View

8.7 miles away

Sea Isle City

9.4 miles away

Heislerville

9.9 miles away

Belleplain

10.3 miles away

Seaville

10.4 miles away

Leesburg

11.7 miles away

Upper

12.2 miles away

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FAQ about Bidwell Creek fishing

📍 Where is the Bidwell Creek located?
the Bidwell Creek is a stream located in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. Its coordinates are:
39°07′2.3″N 74°52′1.4″W
.
🎣 Where on the Bidwell Creek is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Bidwell Creek 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 the Bidwell Creek?
The most common species in the Bidwell Creek are:
  • Striped bass - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
  • American eel - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Tautog - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Bidwell Creek fishing reports?
The latest Bidwell Creek fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Bidwell Creek right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Bidwell Creek, 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 the Bidwell Creek?

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.

Get license
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