New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Measured snout to end of central tail, excluding the tail filament; current window (through Sep 22) is 1 fish.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Federal measures are waived — anglers in Mid-Atlantic federal waters follow the rules of the state where they land. Check your state's entry.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states15 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for black sea bass in New Jersey?
12.5" min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in New Jersey?
10 (May 15–Jun 21); 1 (Jun 22–Sep 22); 10 (Sep 23–Oct 31); 15 (Nov 1–Dec 31).
When is black sea bass season in New Jersey?
May 15 – Jun 21, Jun 22 – Sep 22, Sep 23 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the New Jersey record black sea bass?
9 lb, Atlantic Ocean (2015).
How current is this New Jersey black sea bass rule?
Source: NJ DEP 2026, last checked Sep 7, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a black sea bass in New Jersey and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app