New Jersey · Fishing license · Age
What age do you need a fishing license in New Jersey?
From 16 until you turn 70, if you live in New Jersey.
The ages that matter
Under 16
No license needed
Children can fish without one. Everything else still applies though — limits, sizes and seasons do not change with age.
16 to 69
License required
Carry it with you while fishing.
70 and up
Exempt, residents only
Visitors 70 and over still need one — the exemption is for New Jersey residents.
How NJDEP Fish & Wildlife words it
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife: "Anyone age 16 and above must have a valid license to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey", and residents of 70 and over are exempt from the licensing requirement. Between those two there is a middle band no other state on this site has quite like it: residents aged 65 to 69 pay a reduced $12.50 rather than $22.50, and the trout stamp is written for ages 16 to 69 — so at 70 the stamp falls away with the licence.
Quoted rather than paraphrased. With rules that carry a fine, the exact wording is the point.
Other ways to be exempt
Age is one route. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife lists these as well.
- Everyone on the two free fishing days
- Salt water needs no fishing licence at all. NJDEP publishes a boundary line for each tidal river and creek: at and upstream of that point the licence is required, below it you are in salt water
- On the main stem of the Delaware River, a Pennsylvania licence is honoured as well as a New Jersey one, from shoreline to shoreline
- On Greenwood Lake, New York and New Jersey licences are both recognised anywhere on the lake or along the shoreline
