New Jersey fishing reports
172 reports for New Jersey — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Pine Barrens streams lean and clear; trout and bass in summer transition
USGS gauge 01408000 is logging 20.5 cfs as of June 12, pointing to lean, gin-clear flows across Pine Barrens drainages as summer sets in. NJ Fish & Wildlife News spotlights Hamburg Mountain WMA in Sussex County this week, noting that Silver Lake offers a car-top boat ramp with stocked trout and warm-water species, while Franklin Pond Creek holds stocked trout and year-round habitat. Direct angler reports from Delaware River freshwater anglers are thin in this week's feeds, so mainstem conditions draw on seasonal norms: the spring American shad push has largely run its course by mid-June, shifting focus toward smallmouth bass on rocky structure and channel catfish in deeper holes. Water temperature data is unavailable from the current gauge. Trout anglers should target shaded, spring-fed runs at first light, when fish will be most active before midday heat suppresses feeding.
Sea Bass Limiting Out as Stripers and Squid Keep the Shore Fired Up
Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on sea bass on nearly every trip right now, and the Northern NJ fleet is backing that up — Golden Eagle and Skylarker captains both logged solid reef catches, with jig-savvy anglers picking the best numbers, per The Fisherman — Northern NJ. In the surf, Fishermans HQ LBI reports the spring striper run is still grinding into early June along Long Beach Island, with clam and bunker chunks doing the work. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain widespread from NJ to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to push fish toward summer grounds. The other headliner is a nearshore squid invasion: Fishermans HQ LBI notes massive concentrations just 20–30 miles offshore have drawn bluefin tuna within striking range. Grumpys Tackle echoes the squid story and reports bluefish are active in the mix. Fluke is the one soft spot — The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay forecast calls it a tough back-bay bite for now, though the ocean side is slowly building.
Sea Bass Sizzle on NJ Reefs as Stripers and Squid Stack Up Nearshore
Capt. Ron's Atlantic Highlands is logging steady sea bass and ling on deeper drops this week, with winter flounder appearing as bycatch on the same rigs, a welcome sign that Raritan Bay's bottom bite is holding. That reef action is echoed fleet-wide: The Fisherman's Northern NJ roundup reports the Skylarker, Golden Eagle, and Miss Belmar Princess all recording improving sea bass numbers, with jig-fishing anglers outpacing bait fishermen on the best catches. In the surf, OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report confirms stripers are actively taking clams, while The Fisherman NJ/DE Surf column pegs current water temps in the 61-64°F range, enough to bring chopper bluefish in the 2-4 pound class and early-season fluke into the nearshore wash. A squid push is the season's wild card: Miss Belmar Princess is launching evening squid trips, and multiple inlet-area reports note squid tapping plugs after dark. Bait is loaded, temps are rising, and the bite is broadening.
Stripers and Black Drum Heating Up the Delaware Bay NJ Shore
Per OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report, striped bass are actively taking clams in the surf across NJ waters, with sea bass steady on the offshore reefs and the fluke bite slowly improving as warmer water and bait build. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms the run remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with the approaching new moon tides expected to push bass and bait toward summer grounds over the coming weekend. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) notes a larger class of striped bass has moved into NJ surf zones, with clams and bunker chunks producing the best action. Black drum, a Delaware Bay signature species through early summer, earned mention in OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report alongside bluefish, stripers, and fluke working the surf. Bluefish are showing throughout the region. No buoy data is available for the Bay at this time; check local conditions before launching.
Low summer flows concentrate Pine Barrens bass as Delaware stripers push north
The USGS gauge 01408000 recorded a flow of 20.5 cfs on June 12, reflecting the low summer-baseflow conditions that typically define the Pine Barrens drainage by mid-June. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but conditions in South Jersey's cedar-stained waterways are warming toward the summer threshold that pushes largemouth bass and chain pickerel into shaded structure and deeper pockets. For Delaware River anglers, On The Water's June 12 striper migration map shows striped bass 'widespread from New Jersey to Maine,' suggesting the tidal lower Delaware still holds fish before the seasonal push concludes. NJ Fish and Wildlife has seasonal closures active at five WMAs through September 7, 2026, so verify access before heading out. No current tackle shop or charter reports are available specifically for Pine Barrens interior freshwater conditions; this report draws on gauge data and regional migration tracking.
Stripers, Sea Bass, and Bluefin All Firing Along the Jersey Shore
Blue Chip Sportfishing is reporting sea bass fishing as red hot, nearly limiting out on every trip, while the spring striper surf bite rolls strong into early June. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report puts quality sea bass on the offshore reefs, fluke up to 8 pounds in the rivers, and a healthy surf mix of bluefish, black drum, and stripers all chewing. Grumpys Tackle notes a larger class of striped bass has pushed into the suds, with clams and bunker producing the most consistent results. Down at Long Beach Island, Fishermans HQ LBI reports that the post-full-moon (June 1) window often delivers some of the best quality-fish action of the entire spring run — size over numbers, with bigger bass historically showing in the first and second weeks of June. Adding offshore excitement, a massive squid invasion off the Jersey coast has pulled bluefin tuna within 20 to 30 miles of the beach, per Fishermans HQ LBI, putting pelagic action within reach of local sportfishing boats.
Sea Bass Red Hot Off Sandy Hook as Stripers, Fluke, and Blues Fill the Bay
Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands, operating in the waters inside Raritan Bay and off Sandy Hook, has been posting consistent sea bass keeper action this week, with ling filling out coolers on deeper runs and a few winter flounder showing as a bonus. Blue Chip Sportfishing confirms the bite is red hot, reporting limits on nearly every charter. In the surf, Grumpys Tackle notes a larger class of striped bass has moved into the line, with clams and bunker chunks remaining the top producers. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report captures the full spread: quality sea bass on the reefs, fluke up to 8 pounds in the tidal rivers, and bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke chewing in the surf. The waning crescent moon this week keeps tidal exchanges moderate, with feeding windows expected to tighten and strengthen as the new moon approaches.
Delaware Bay black drum at historic levels; fluke building
The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports the black drum bite in Delaware Bay is better than local tackle shops have seen in at least 15 years. Boaters are finding up to a dozen fish per night less than a mile off the beach, with catches ranging from 15- to 20-pounders to trophy-class fish pushing 60 pounds. Fresh clams in 10 to 18 feet of water on a moving tide are the proven setup. Summer flounder are in the bay in good numbers, though keepers require patience: The Fisherman — Southern NJ describes dozens of shorts per trip, with keeper fish to 23 inches on minnow-squid and spearing-squid combos, and some access points reporting full limits alongside a 6-pound back-bay flattie. Bluefish in the 2- to 4-pound class are mixing in as well. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay region forecast for early June also flags striped bass and sheepshead pushing north along the Garden State inshore grounds.
Blue catfish run hot on the Delaware as river drops to low summer flow
Old School Outdoors in Ewing is flagging blue catfish as the week's headline on the Delaware River, with big fish running hot from Trenton south. Per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater, water levels on the Delaware at Trenton were well below normal as of June 7, with streams across the region continuing to fall and no significant rain in the near-term forecast. USGS gauge 01408000 confirms lean Pine Barrens flows at 22.2 cfs. Channel cats are also keeping rods bent in the D&R Canal, per Old School Outdoors. Striped bass are still showing near the Trenton bridges, though flathead activity has slowed. Bass and crappie at Carnegie and Mercer lakes rated decent, with post-spawn fish settling into a summer pattern of early and late activity. JB Kasper in The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater notes pickerel fishing in the back-country has been decent as well. Trout action in the canal has quieted considerably as temperatures climb.
Jersey Shore Striper Run Peaks with Sea Bass and Bluefin Joining In
Blue Chip Sportfishing is reporting limits on sea bass on nearly every trip and has been crushing striped bass across their charter fleet. That pattern holds statewide: OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report documents quality sea bass on the offshore reefs, fluke to 8 pounds in the rivers, and bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke all active in the surf. At Long Beach Island, Fishermans HQ LBI reports the spring surf striper run is still firing into June. The first two weeks of the month historically deliver a concentrated push of larger fish, and Grumpys Tackle confirms a bigger class of bass has moved into the surf zone, with clam and bunker chunk the clear top baits. Offshore, Fishermans HQ LBI flags an exciting development: bluefin tuna have pushed close on the heels of a massive squid invasion off the Jersey coast, with grounds reachable on 20- to 30-mile runs.
Sandy Hook Sea Bass on Fire; Stripers, Blues, and Fluke Round Out the Bite
Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has been running daily trips on Raritan Bay structure, with sea bass and ling leading the reports. A recent Saturday trip noted 'nice keeper sea bass and action on the shorts,' with the pool fish a solid 3-pounder -- the largest of the season so far. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls the sea bass bite 'red hot,' reporting near-limit results on most trips. OTW Northern New Jersey (June 4) widens the picture: quality sea bass on the reefs, fluke to 8 pounds in the rivers, and bluefish, black drum, and striped bass chewing in the surf. Grumpy's Tackle confirms a larger class of striped bass has moved in, with clam and bunker producing the most consistent results. The waning crescent moon this week keeps nights progressively darker -- a productive window for surf stripers working rip lines.
Black Drum and Stripers on the Move as Delaware Bay Hits Its Summer Stride
Grumpys Tackle (NJ) has logged black drum alongside stripers, blues, and fluke in back-to-back recent updates, signaling Delaware Bay's multi-species summer transition is well underway. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report adds direct confirmation: fluke to 8 pounds are coming out of the rivers, quality sea bass remain on the reefs, and bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke are all chewing in the surf. Fishermans HQ LBI (NJ) notes that the June 1 full moon just passed — historically one of the better windows for quality stripers — and that early June typically delivers a meaningful push of larger bass before the spring run fully closes. No live buoy readings are available for the bay mouth today, so check local sources for current water temperature and tide windows. Clams and bunker chunks continue drawing stripers in the surf per Grumpys Tackle, while bucktails and Gulp! are putting fluke in the box.