The Best Places to Catch Shrimp in New Jersey

As a seafood lover living in New Jersey, I’m always on the lookout for the best local shrimp. Jersey isn’t necessarily known for its shrimping industry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch delicious, fresh shrimp right here along the coast! In this article, I’ll share my favorite spots for an excellent shrimp haul in the Garden State.

The Best Time of Year for Shrimping in New Jersey

Before getting into the prime shrimping locations, it’s helpful to know when you’re most likely to have success. The shrimping season in New Jersey runs approximately from April through November. The peak months are typically May through August During this time, you’ll find good numbers of small shrimp close to shore.

I’ve had my best luck shrimping from late spring through early fall when the water temperatures are warmest. Just be prepared – shrimp are most active at night, so plan your shrimping adventures accordingly if you want to maximize your catch. Early morning and evening are also productive times.

Top Places to Go Shrimping in New Jersey

Now let’s get to the good stuff – my picks for the top shrimping destinations in NJ! Here are some of my favorites:

Raritan Bay

The waters of Raritan Bay off the coasts of Monmouth County and Middlesex County are full of shrimp. I’ve had amazing luck trawling for shrimp here in the past, especially in spots like Keyport Harbor Union Beach and Laurence Harbor.

The maze of marshes and tributaries that feed into the bay provide the perfect ecosystem for shrimp. Head to any of the public fishing piers or beaches with access to Raritan Bay and throw out a shrimp net or pot – you’re likely to get a hefty catch.

Barnegat Bay

This large, shallow estuary that separates the NJ mainland from Long Beach Island is another shrimp treasure trove. The calmer waters of Barnegat Bay are ideal for cast netting and trapping shrimp near the shoreline.

I’d recommend trying spots like Island Beach State Park, the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone, Berkeley Township beaches, or any of the fishing piers and marinas dotting the Barnegat Bay. You’ll often see people shrimping right off the dock at these locations.

Delaware Bay

While the mighty Delaware Bay is better known for its blue crabs and oysters, there’s great shrimping to be had here too. The upper bay areas around Salem County and Cumberland County contain numerous tributaries and wetlands that shrimp flock to.

Fortescue is one of my favorite places to launch my boat and drop a shrimp trap or two. Gandys Beach, the Cohansey River, the Cumberland Shoreline, and the mouth of the Maurice River are other prime spots. You can also shrimp straight off the public fishing piers at locations like Fortescue State Marina.

Great Egg Harbor Bay

In southern New Jersey, Great Egg Harbor Bay borders Atlantic County and Cape May County. This is another largely undeveloped estuary with acres of pristine salt marshes, seagrass flats, and tributaries that shrimp love.

Places like Osprey Point, Patcong Creek, and Lake’s Bay are full of grass shrimp you can easily catch with a casting net. The docks at Great Egg Harbor Marina are a super popular (and productive) shrimping spot. And you can’t beat the beautiful shorelines of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge for an idyllic shrimping experience.

The Tidal Raritan River

Last but not least is the tidal portion of the Raritan River, which stretches through Middlesex County. Here you can launch at spots like Boyd Park in South Amboy and motor out to prime shrimping grounds around the river mouth and sandy flats near Great Beds lighthouse.

The Raritan Bay shoreline along Cliffwood Beach and Keyport also provides shore access to the tidal river area. Target spots with structure like dock pilings, rocks, vegetation, and submerged debris to catch grass shrimp and other shrimp species teeming in the brackish waters.

Best Techniques for Catching Shrimp in New Jersey

Now that you know some of the top spots, let’s discuss shrimping methods that work well. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Cast nets: These circular throwing nets with weighted edges are perfect for catching shrimp in shallow waters right from shore. Just make sure your mesh size is 1⁄4 inches or less to trap small shrimp.

• Shrimp pots: Shrimp pots (also called traps) are like small crab pots you can bait and lower to the bottom. Leave them for 30-60 minutes then lift to see your catch.

• Dip nets: Attached to a pole, dip nets let you scoop shrimp from docks or the shoreline. Work them through grasses and around structure.

• Seines: These long nets with weights at the bottom and floats on top can be dragged through waters to catch shrimp. Just make sure to comply with local seine regulations.

• Trawl nets: For boaters, small trawl nets towed behind the vessel are effective for catching shrimp in open and deeper waters. Always watch your speed while trawling.

When it comes to bait, shrimp love the smell of dead fish, so old bait shrimp, tiny fish pieces, or fish meal pellets are all good attractants and work well in traps.

No matter which method you use, make sure to observe size and catch limits. And always bring a ruler to ensure you only keep the legal-sized shrimp.

Handling and Cooking Your Catch

Once you’ve hauled in your prizes, you’ll want to treat them right:

• Keep shrimp cool and use ice if needed. Don’t let them sit in direct sunlight.

• Cook, peel, and eat them as soon as possible for the best flavor. The same day is ideal.

• Boiling, grilling, sautéing, and baking are all tasty cooking methods. Just don’t overcook them!

• Peel before cooking if desired. But for grilling, boil them first for easy peeling.

Some of my favorite shrimp recipes include shrimp tacos, classic shrimp scampi over pasta, blackened grilled shrimp kabobs, and shrimp boils with potatoes and corn. Simple preparations that let the sweet, briny flavor shine through are best.

Just pinch off the heads and legs before eating (unless you like sucking the juicy bits out of the heads like me!) Then dip them in melted butter or cocktail sauce and savor the fruits of your shrimping labor.

So next time you’re looking for a fun fishing expedition or want the freshest local shrimp for dinner, grab your gear and head to the Jersey shore. With this guide in hand, you’ll be catching shrimp in no time! Tight lines, and may your pots and nets runneth over.