Washington Canal

Saltwater
Sea area

Washington Canal

Saltwater
Sea area

Sq. miles: 0
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 3

The Washington Canal is a tidal canal located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, offering anglers a unique urban saltwater fishing opportunity. As a man-made waterway connected to the larger estuarine system, its fishing is governed entirely by tidal cycles, providing access to both resident and migratory species. The canal environment presents a mix of structured shorelines and deeper channels, creating productive fishing grounds close to the developed areas of Sayreville and South Amboy.

New Jersey licenses and regulations6 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Washington Canal and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

White Perch

Morone americana

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Washington Canal. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Wreck

Know where you can legally fish on Washington Canal

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

New Jersey licenses and regulations

New Jersey Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

New Jersey Coastal & Inland Waters

New Jersey divides its waters into saltwater and freshwater zones using specific boundary points on named rivers and creeks. No fishing license is required in saltwater, but a standard freshwater fishing license is required at and upstream of each designated boundary point. The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife publishes the full list of boundary locations by county.

Learn more

New Jersey Federal Waters & Offshore Rules

Beyond 3 nautical miles, federal waters are managed by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in partnership with regional fishery management councils. For-hire vessels fishing federally managed species in those waters must obtain required federal permits before heading out. Anglers targeting Atlantic highly migratory species such as tuna, billfish, swordfish, or sharks need a federal HMS permit issued by NOAA Fisheries.

Learn more

New Jersey Saltwater Fishing License

New Jersey does not require a saltwater fishing license, but every angler fishing marine waters must register annually with the free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program, run by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Owners and operators of for-hire vessels must also register each year. All Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations apply regardless of registration status.

Learn more

New Jersey Saltwater Size & Bag Limits

Size and bag limits apply to every marine species and can change throughout the year. The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife sets these rules, and the current seasons, minimum sizes, and possession limits for species like striped bass, summer flounder, black sea bass, bluefish, and tautog are kept on the Division's marine seasons and regulations page.

Learn more

New Jersey Shellfish Closures & Advisories

A valid recreational shellfish license is required to harvest oysters, clams, crabs, or other shellfish in New Jersey waters. Harvest areas can close at any time due to biotoxins, rainfall, or water quality concerns, and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection manages shellfish classifications and posts closures and consumption advisories.

Learn more

Take Washington Canal with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Washington Canal to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Washington Canal to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Washington Canal and check the marine forecast before you launch.

Loading tide predictions…