| Bunker |  |
Bunker typically start showing in NJ around mid to April and arrive en masse in May. Peanut bunker leave the bay in the fall and can lead to a bait fish bonanza along the NJ beaches. | April - June, September - November |
| Herring |  |
Herring are a cold water fish and as such are not as important on the NJ bait scene as some as the others. Still Striped Bass LOVE Herring. | November - February |
| Mullet |  |
Look for the Mullet to leave the bay mid-September. Typically, any Mullet run is before the Peanut Bunker leave the bay. | September - October |
| Rainfish |  |
Rainfish or Bay Anchovies on first inspection closely resemble spearing. | September - October |
| Sandeel |  |
Sandeels are like the candy of the Sea. When they are around it seems to light something in the local Gamefish's DNA because they tend to gorge themselves on these. Read more on how to take advantage. | May - June, October - November |
| Spearing |  |
Spearing are the most prevalent fish in New Jersey's bay and estuarine system. Very similar in appearance to rainfish. It has a much smaller mouth than rainfish. | April - November |
| Spot |  |
Spot migrate seasonally, entering bays and estuaries in the spring, where they remain until late summer or fall when they move off shore. Larval spot will enter the Bay as early as December and appear in nursery areas in April and May. Primary nursery areas for juvenile spot occur in low salinity areas of the bays and tidal creeks, but they can also be found associated with eel grass communities. Young spot grow rapidly over the summer months, and by fall reach an average length of five inches. As water temperatures decrease in the fall, most juveniles move to the ocean by December. | October - November |
Due to a leak in a central outflow pipe which may render shellfish dangerous to health, the DEP has suspended the harvest of shellfish from a portion of Barnegat Bay. For more information, including a map of the affected area, see the Public Notice of Suspension of Harvest From Shellfish Beds linked below.
Public Notice
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