Black Drum (also known as Drum, Puppy Drum, Bull Drum) in New Jersey. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the NJ Fish & Wildlife guide, 2026.
In New Jersey, the minimum legal size for Black Drum is 16 in and the daily bag limit is 3 per person. There is no closed season in NJ.
No closed season
Atlantic / state waters. Measured tip of snout to tip of tail. Verified against the binding regulation and the official 2026 Marine Digest. NJ state waters (0-3 nm). 16" minimum / 3-fish limit applies; no materially different federal recreational measure for NJ Atlantic waters. Black drum is ASMFC-managed but NJ's rule is stable year-round.
These limits are pulled from the NJ Fish & Wildlife marine recreational fishing regulations. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
New Jersey requires no paid saltwater licence, but anglers aged 16 or older must enrol (free) in the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. NJ saltwater registry.
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