Top fish species at Parker Cove

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Parker Cove

Parker Cove fishing reports

Loading...

Atlantic croaker

length · weight

Loading...

Blacktip shark

12 in · 1 lb

Loading...

Dusky smooth-hound

length · weight

Loading...

Dusky smooth-hound

length · weight

Loading...

Sandbar shark

39 in · 6 lb

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Parker Cove is an inshore water located in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. It is most popular for fishing Dusky smooth-hound, Atlantic croaker, and Blacktip shark.

Location

39°36′30.6″N 74°16′52.4″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Parker Cove, 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 open: year-round
Atlantic croaker

Atlantic croaker

Regulation boundaryNew Jersey State Waters
Additional information
No minimum size limit. No bag limit. No closed season.
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Micropogonias undulatus
Season open: year-round
Blacktip shark

Blacktip shark

Regulation boundaryHighly Migratory Species
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 size54" (Fork Length)

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

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Aggregate limit1

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Vessel limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Special gear

HMS Shark

No person issued an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit under may possess a shark if the shark was taken from its management unit by any gear other than rod and reel or handline.

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.

Required licenses
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit with shark endorsement
Additional information
Recreational shark anglers aboard federally permitted vessels are required to use non-offset, non stainless steel circle hooks in federal waters (3 – 200 miles offshore) when fishing with baited hooks. All sharks must be landed intact with the head, tail, and all fins naturally attached. The shark may be gutted and bled at sea (e.g., by making an incision at the base of the tail). You must report recreational landings of shark in Maryland by calling 1-410-213-1531. Sharks harvested but not retained must be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival. Do NOT remove the fish from the water. 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) All highly migratory species require an HMS Angling Permit from NOAA Fisheries. Permits are available by calling 1-888-872-8862, or by visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. No sale permitted for HMS species caught under an HMS Angling Permit. For complete HMS regulations contact NOAA Fisheries HMS Management Division at 1-301-427-8503 or visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species
Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Blacktip Shark
Synonyms
Carcharhinus limbatus
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

New Jersey fishing license

Get license

Cities nearby

Tuckerton

2.7 miles away

Beach Haven

3.4 miles away

Little Egg Harbor

3.5 miles away

North Beach Haven

3.7 miles away

Beach Haven West

5.0 miles away

Ship Bottom

5.8 miles away

Manahawkin

6.1 miles away

Mystic Island

6.2 miles away

Stafford

6.7 miles away

Surf City

7.0 miles away

Ocean Acres

9.3 miles away

New Gretna

9.3 miles away

Harvey Cedars

9.7 miles away

Barnegat

10.9 miles away

Leeds Point

11.9 miles away

Port Republic

12.1 miles away

Oceanville

13.0 miles away

Smithville

13.3 miles away

Galloway

13.3 miles away

Brigantine

14.4 miles away

Absecon Highlands

15.5 miles away

Stockton University

16.1 miles away

Absecon

17.1 miles away

Pomona

17.3 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Parker Cove fishing

📍 Where is Parker Cove located?
Parker Cove is an inshore water located in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. Its coordinates are:
39°36′30.6″N 74°16′52.4″W
.
🎣 Where on Parker Cove is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Parker Cove 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 Parker Cove?
The most common species in Parker Cove are:
📢 What are the latest Parker Cove fishing reports?
The latest Parker Cove fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Parker Cove right now?
According to fishing regulations at Parker Cove, 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 Parker Cove?

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
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...