Pay lakes in New Jersey

Usually not. Anglers who pay to fish a licensed New Jersey commercial fishing preserve do not need a state fishing license.

New Jersey licenses pay lakes through its Commercial Fishing Preserve License (N.J.S.A. 23:3-62 to 23:3-65), run by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJFW). The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.

"Persons to whom such permission to fish is granted, or who have paid for the privilege of fishing the licensed waters, or dues-paying members of a club which is a licensee, may fish in such waters without a license issued under Revised Statutes 23:3-1, or other license."

Source: N.J.S.A. 23:3-65(b), checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.