Club member Greg Hall researched the possession regulations of blueback and alewife herring, and the following information was reprinted with Greg's permission.

Blue Back Herring and Alwifes
A Basic Guide to N.J. Recreational Regulations

Bait wells: No more than the daily bag limit for any one person can be kept in a container (bait well), except, in a boat, the daily bag limits may be combined for each angler.

Pens: The limits for Pens are not stated.

Hooks: The limits on hooks is no more than 9 hooks or no more than 3 burrs of 3 hooks, except the Delaware River, when no more than 3 single hooks or 3 burrs of 3 hooks may be used.

Fish Ladders: Unlawful to take herring within 100 feet of a fish ladder between April 1 and June 30.

Cast nets: Unlawful to use cast nets in any fresh water.

Dip nets: May be no larger than 24 inches in diameter.

Bag Limits: Herring taken from all N.J. waters except the Delaware River is 35 per day. Herring taken from the Delaware River is 50 per day.

Note: Herring limits for the Delaware River may be transported throughout N.J., but it is not recommended that you stop by other waters and leave open the possibility that you may be fishing for herring. Also, using your Delaware River limit of herring to fish for bass on the surf or ocean is permitted.

Seines: In waters less than 100 acres, a seine may be used and must be 30 feet or less or half the width of the stream at the point of use.

Fresh water license is required for the following locations:

Wreak Pond: West of the Route 71 bridge to Spillway of Black Creek on Ocean Road.
Deal Lake: Top of the dam.
Shark River: West of Remson Mills Road.
Flumes and spillways: Fish may not be taken from the Deal Lake Flume, the Spring Lake spillway or the Lake Takanassee spillway, on Monday, Wednesday or Friday during the months of April or May.
Note: Fish may be taken on the ocean side of the outfall pipes on closed days. Fish may be taken on the western or freshwater sides of the pipes, but a reasonable distance from the spillways needs to be maintained.

Marine Regulations:

Bag Limits: 35 per day. Season: No closed season.

Nets: Dip nets 24 inches in diameter or less. Bait seines not exceeding 50 feet in length. Cast nets not exceeding 20 feet in diameter. Umbrella net not exceeding 4 square feet.