New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Spanish mackerelLateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots. Tell them apart
False albacoreStockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line. Tell them apartNot listed by New Jersey: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. More on the king mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
King mackerel in other states12 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for king mackerel in New Jersey?
23 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many king mackerel can you keep in New Jersey?
3.
When is king mackerel season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
What is the New Jersey record king mackerel?
67 lb 7.2 oz, Manasquan Inlet (2023).
How current is this New Jersey king mackerel 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.
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