Best Fishing Beaches with Clean Water
Surf fishing spots at the Jersey Shore with excellent water quality. Wade confidently while chasing stripers, blues, and fluke.
Whether you're wading in the surf casting for stripers or walking the beach looking for bait activity, water quality matters. These beaches combine productive fishing with excellent water quality - the best of both worlds for Jersey Shore anglers.
Top Picks: Best of Both Worlds
Island Beach State Park
Seaside Park
Target Species: striped-bass, bluefish, fluke
Best Time: Spring, Fall
Water Quality: 10 CFU/100mL
8th Street Jetty (Townsends Inlet)
Sea Isle City
Target Species: striped-bass, bluefish, tautog
Best Time: Spring, Fall
Water Quality: 4 CFU/100mL
Corson's Inlet / 59th Street
Ocean City
Target Species: striped-bass, bluefish, weakfish
Best Time: Spring, Fall
Water Quality: 3 CFU/100mL
More Clean Fishing Beaches
Wildwood Municipal Beach Jetties
ExcellentWildwood
tautog, bluefish • Spring, Fall, Winter
View fishing guide →Long Beach Island Surf Zone
ExcellentBeach Haven
striped-bass, bluefish • Spring, Fall
View fishing guide →Tips for Fishing Clean Water Beaches
Best Conditions for Surf Fishing
- • Fish during incoming tides when bait pushes toward shore
- • Dawn and dusk are most productive times
- • Look for structure: cuts, troughs, and sandbars
- • Watch for bird activity signaling feeding fish
Water Quality Considerations
- • Avoid wading 24-48 hours after heavy rain
- • Ocean beaches generally cleaner than bay beaches
- • Check current advisories before your trip
- • View real-time water quality data
Frequently Asked Questions
Does water quality affect fishing at the Jersey Shore?
Water quality can indirectly affect fishing. Cleaner water generally supports healthier ecosystems with more baitfish. However, fish can be caught in waters of varying quality. For surf fishing where you might wade, excellent water quality is a bonus for comfort and safety.
Which beaches have both good fishing and clean water?
Island Beach State Park, Sandy Hook, and many LBI beaches offer excellent water quality combined with productive surf fishing. These beaches have low bacteria counts and produce striped bass, bluefish, and fluke regularly.
Is it safe to wade while surf fishing at NJ beaches?
Most NJ beaches are safe for wading while fishing. Beaches with "excellent" or "good" water quality ratings have very low bacteria levels. Avoid wading 24-48 hours after heavy rainfall when bacteria levels temporarily spike.
How is beach water quality measured in New Jersey?
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection tests beaches for Enterococcus bacteria using a geometric mean calculation. Beaches are rated excellent (<35 CFU), good (<70 CFU), fair (<104 CFU), or poor (≥104 CFU) based on 5-year data.
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