New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Limits raised for 2026-27 from the prior 3/5; no minimum size.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
2026 bag limits raised by 2 fish (from 3/5) effective early 2026; no federal size limit.
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
Chopper jaw full of visible teeth, greenish back, forked tail; snapping at everything. More on the bluefish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for bluefish in New Jersey?
No size limit.
How many bluefish can you keep in New Jersey?
5 (7 on for-hire vessels).
When is bluefish season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
What is the New Jersey record bluefish?
27 lb 1 oz, Five Fathom Bank (1997).
How current is this New Jersey bluefish 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 bluefish in New Jersey and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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