Little Egg Reef — public NJ reef off Holgate
Little Egg Reef is a public NJDEP site off Holgate. reeflocs.pdf says 4.0 nm; the May 2022 map says 3.8 nm, 2.0 sq mi, and 52–59 ft. January 2021 barge/tug/push-boat drops are on the reef PDF.
By Sebastian · Published September 14, 2026
Public-source briefing only. We have not surveyed this water. DEP reef maps are marked not for navigational purposes. Confirm corners, depths, and deployments on the current NJ Fish & Wildlife reef PDFs and a live NOAA chart before you leave the dock.
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What the state published
- Official name
- Little Egg Reef Site
- Distance offshore
- 4.0 nm off Holgate on reeflocs.pdf; 3.8 nm on the May 2022 map
- Reef area
- 2.0 square miles (May 2022 map)
- Depth range
- 52–59 ft (May 2022 map)
- NE corner (DGPS)
- 39°29.000′ N, 74°10.000′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- NW corner (DGPS)
- 39°29.000′ N, 74°12.000′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- SE corner (DGPS)
- 39°28.000′ N, 74°10.000′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- SW corner (DGPS)
- 39°28.000′ N, 74°12.000′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- 2021 barge / tug / push boat
- Hughes Family Reef 200-foot barge, Captain John Koegler 45-foot tug, BHCFA Junior Mates 40-foot push boat — January 14, 2021 at 39°28.340′ N, 74°11.083′ W on the Little Egg PDF
Little Egg Reef is the public Holgate / south-LBI ocean box. It is easy to mix up with Little Egg Inlet Reef in DEP press notes. This page follows the Little Egg Reef PDF and the Holgate corners on reeflocs.pdf.
Official box
reeflocs.pdf: 4.0 nm off Holgate NJ. May 2022 map: 3.8 nm, 2.0 sq mi, 52–59 ft, not for navigational purposes.
| Corner | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| NE | 39°29.000′ N | 74°10.000′ W |
| NW | 39°29.000′ N | 74°12.000′ W |
| SE | 39°28.000′ N | 74°10.000′ W |
| SW | 39°28.000′ N | 74°12.000′ W |
2021 boats — use the PDF, not the mixed program-page line
The Little Egg PDF lists three January 14, 2021 pieces at 39°28.340′ N, 74°11.083′ W:
- Hughes Family Reef — 200-foot barge
- Captain John Koegler Reef — 45-foot tug
- BHCFA Junior Mates Reef — 40-foot push boat
NJDEP’s program page also describes “three boats on Little Egg Reef” that day but prints 40°04.784′ N — the same numbers it uses for Manasquan. We are not copying that 40° line onto Holgate.
Seasons
Statewide 2026 windows: NJ saltwater seasons 2026. Registry: still free, still required for most anglers 16+.
North: Garden State South, Garden State North, Barnegat Light Reef. South: Atlantic City Reef, Great Egg Reef.
Sources checked
Electronics and comms, not $10 staples
Chart + sonar
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv
$999.99 when checked on Amazon for the GT54 transducer bundle
Fixed-mount VHF with GPS/DSC
Icom IC-M330G
$228.12 when checked on Amazon for the black GPS model
Handheld backup
Standard Horizon HX890
$269.99 when checked on Amazon for the navy listing