Black Sea Bass (also known as Sea Bass, Black Will) 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 Sea Bass is 12.5 in and the daily bag limit is 1–15 per person (varies by open season window — set annually). Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current New Jersey rules before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current New Jersey rules before keeping fish.
Atlantic / state waters. Seasons and per-period bags are set annually via ASMFC addenda and shift year to year — do not treat the 2026 dates/bags as permanent. Big separate federal fishery offshore (>3 nm). NJ STATE waters (0-3 nm): 12.5" minimum with the seasonal bag windows above. There is a separate FEDERAL (>3 nm) black sea bass fishery whose season/bag is set by NOAA/Mid-Atlantic Council and can differ — the 2026 Digest explicitly directs anglers to NOAA for federal-waters black sea bass regs. Confirm federal measures separately when fishing offshore. Re-checked 2026-09 against the 2026 NJ Marine Digest: four season windows, all at 12.5" — May 15–Jun 21 limit 10; Jun 22–Sep 22 limit 1; Sep 23–Oct 31 limit 10; Nov 1–Dec 31 limit 15. The stored ceiling of 10 was too low.
These limits are pulled from the NJ Fish & Wildlife marine recreational fishing regulations. Last verified September 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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