Cobia (also known as Ling, Lemonfish, Black Kingfish) 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 Cobia is 43 in and the daily bag limit is 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel (the 2-fish vessel cap applies regardless of how many anglers are aboard). Season note: No closed season (open season January 1 – December 31).
No closed season (open season January 1 – December 31)
Applies to NJ state waters (0–3 nm) and to fish possessed or landed in NJ regardless of where caught. Measured from tip of snout (mouth closed) to the longest part of the tail, per NJDEP's standard fish-measurement method (same digest). NJDEP's 2026 digest flags this rule as 'modified' from a prior, less restrictive limit, consistent with ASMFC's coastwide Atlantic cobia management requirements.
These limits are pulled from the NJ Fish & Wildlife marine recreational fishing regulations. Last verified July 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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