Red Drum (also known as Redfish, Channel Bass, Spottail Bass) in New Jersey. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit, slot rule — verified against the NJ Fish & Wildlife guide, 2026.
In New Jersey, the minimum legal size for Red Drum is 18 in and the daily bag limit is 1 fish per person per day, and it must fall within an 18"–27" slot (fish must be at least 18" but less than 27" total length; anything shorter or 27"+ must be released). A slot limit applies: Slot limit: 18" to less than 27" total length. Fish outside this slot (under 18" or 27" and over) must be released unharmed. Season note: No closed season — open year-round in NJ state waters.
Slot limit: 18" to less than 27" total length. Fish outside this slot (under 18" or 27" and over) must be released unharmed.
No closed season — open year-round in NJ state waters
Applies to NJ state marine waters (0–3 nm). Measured as total length, tip of snout to tip of tail (NJDEP standard for all species except black sea bass and sharks). Managed jointly with the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Red Drum (Amendment 2); NJDEP held public hearings in 2025 on Draft Addendum II following the 2024 Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment, so this limit could change in a future-year digest — reconfirm each season before publishing.
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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