Striped bass rules in New Jersey
Size, bag and season for recreational striped bass in New Jersey waters, as published by NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, Marine Fisheries.
- Size
- 28"–31" (slot)
- Bag
- 1 fish
- Season
- Atlantic Ocean 0–3 nm: no closed season; all other marine waters: March 1–December 31; federal waters (3–200 nm): prohibited
Also on the agency page: Delaware River & tributaries (Calhoun St. Bridge to Salem River): Mar 1–31 and Jun 1–Dec 31; upstream of Calhoun St. Bridge: Mar 1–Dec 31. Bonus Program permit: 1 fish 24" to <28" May 15–Dec 31. Gaffing prohibited; non-offset circle hooks required with bait.
This rule has area, mode or permit conditions that do not fit in a summary. Read the agency page before you keep a fish.
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 10, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
What to know before you keep one
Striped bass rules along the coast are built around a slot. A fish below the minimum or above the maximum goes back, so a measuring device on board is part of the rig.
State water or federal water
New Jersey rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Possession of striped bass is prohibited in federal waters (the EEZ, beyond 3 nautical miles). Fishing for them there is also prohibited. Only state waters can be fished. 50 CFR Part 697 · eCFR ↗
Across the state line
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 28" to less than 31" total length (slot) | 1 fish per angler per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| New York | 28"–31" total length (slot) in marine waters | 1 fish | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Dec 15 |
| New Jersey | 28"–31" (slot) | 1 fish | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Delaware | 28"–31" (slot); 20"–24" only Jul 1–Aug 31 in DE Bay, River and tributaries | 1 per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Maryland | Chesapeake Bay: 19"–24" (slot); Atlantic/Coastal Bays: 28"–31" (slot) | 1 fish per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 · Open in part from Dec 6 |