LivewellNew Jersey · River
Cooper River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Cooper River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
New Jersey also has statewide guidance
New Jersey publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 25 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Cooper River below.
Strictest statewide rule: Brown Bullhead — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Cooper River
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
Brown Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Cooper River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are New Jersey's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | 06-16 – 04-14 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | 06-16 – 04-14 |
| Rainbow Trout | 7" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 18" min | 3 | Year-round | 05-01 – 02-28 |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 40" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Flathead Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 8" min | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 16" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| American Shad | — | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: New Jersey — New Jersey Fish & Wildlife
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.2 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.3 mi Directions
- Marina marina 0.5 mi Directions
- Wiggins Park Marina marina 1.4 mi Directions
- kayak launch boat ramp 2.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.7 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.