New Jersey receives a commercial quota for striped bass from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission each calendar year.   Since New Jersey prohibits commercial netting and/or selling of striped bass, the Division of Fish and Wildlife utilizes this quota to provide a "bonus" fish for recreational anglers.  The Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) has been in effect since 1990 and is free of charge.   New Jersey is the only state on the east coast that allows recreational anglers the opportunity to keep a third striped bass per day.  The current striped bass recreational size limits allow anglers to take two fish per day at 28" or greater.  Under the 2006 SBBP, recreational anglers will be able to take a third fish at 28" or greater.

2006 Striped Bass Bonus Program highlights:

Each person will get two bonus cards and a replacement card as the striped bass harvest quota allows.  If New Jersey anglers harvest more than the assigned quota in a given calendar year, the following year's quota will be reduced by the amount of overharvest.  The 2006 allocation from the ASMFC is 321,750 pounds to be distributed between individual anglers and party/charter boats.

Bonus cards are non-transferable.  Only one card can be used per day and the 2006 red bonus cards are only valid for the 2006 calendar year. There is no cutoff date for applications.  A self-addressed stamped #10 business-sized envelope must be included with each application.  All applications will be processed in order of receipt.  Applications will not be accepted at Division offices unless received via mail.

Individuals or party/charter boat owners that were in the 2005 program and returned their log information need not apply as these individuals will automatically receive bonus cards for 2006. Applications for party/charter boats are only available by contacting the Division's Nacote Creek Office at 609-748-2020.

The Division encourages you to check your fish at one of the designated Check Stations or by mailing the completed card to the Division.  The most valuable asset of the SBBP since 1990 has been the data acquired through volunteer logbooks.   All participants receive a logbook with their bonus cards and are encouraged to report all Striped Bass fishing activity for the 2006 calendar year.   For more information regarding this program, visit the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife web site at www.njfishandwildlife.com/bonusbas.htm.