Can I Keep?Black Sea Bass Regulations in New Jersey (2026)
Recreational black sea bass rules in New Jersey saltwater, as published by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.
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Recreational Black Sea Bass rules in New Jersey
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 12.5 inches
- Bag limit
- 10 fish at 12.5 inches May 15 – June 21; 1 fish at 12.5 inches June 22 – Sept 22; 10 fish at 12.5 inches Sept 23 – Oct 31; 15 fish at 12.5 inches Nov 1 – Dec 31
- Season
- 10 fish at 12.5 inches May 15 – June 21; 1 fish at 12.5 inches June 22 – Sept 22; 10 fish at 12.5 inches Sept 23 – Oct 31; 15 fish at 12.5 inches Nov 1 – Dec 31
- Fish are measured from tip of snout to tip of tail (except Black Sea Bass and Sharks).
- Cleaning or filleting of fish with a minimum size limit while at sea is prohibited.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size of possession: 11”
- Minimum mesh: Nets must possess a minimum of 75 meshes of 4.5” diamond mesh in the codend, or the entire net must have a minimum mesh size of 4.5” throughout; for codends with fewer than 75 meshes, the entire net must have 4.5” diamond mesh or larger throughout
- Threshold to trigger minimum mesh requirements: 500 lbs for January-March and 100 lbs for April-December
- Pot and trap escape vents: 2 ½” for circular, 2” for square, and 1-3/8 x 5-3/4” for rectangular. Must be 2 vents in the parlor portion of the trap.
- 2026 New Jersey commercial black sea bass quota: 1,524,833 lbs (baseline allocations NJ - N 9.709%, NJ - S 9.709%; total state allocation 19.47%). New Jersey trip limits are set by NJDEP (not accessible to us).
- Values from the ASMFC Black Sea Bass FMP Review (minimum size and gear) (2025 measures as reported in New Jersey's compliance report); NJDEP commercial rules (N.J.A.C. 7:25A) are not accessible to us, so confirm current-year trip limits with NJDEP.
- Minimum size/gear source: https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/BlackSeaBassFMPReview_FY2025.pdf
Quick answers
What is the black sea bass size limit in New Jersey?
12.5 inches.
How many black sea bass can I keep in New Jersey?
10 fish at 12.5 inches May 15 – June 21; 1 fish at 12.5 inches June 22 – Sept 22; 10 fish at 12.5 inches Sept 23 – Oct 31; 15 fish at 12.5 inches Nov 1 – Dec 31.
When is black sea bass season in New Jersey?
10 fish at 12.5 inches May 15 – June 21; 1 fish at 12.5 inches June 22 – Sept 22; 10 fish at 12.5 inches Sept 23 – Oct 31; 15 fish at 12.5 inches Nov 1 – Dec 31. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Black Sea Bass limits in other states →
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Source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife. Most anglers need a New Jersey saltwater license or registry: get one here.