Black sea bass limits by state
Check before you keep a fish. These are statewide rules. Lakes, rivers and coastal zones often have their own limits, and rules can change during the year. Each state below has a link to its official rules.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
| State | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Black sea bass |
Statewide | 15.5" minimum (tail filament not measured) | 4 | May 16 to November 25 |
| Connecticut | Party and charter boat passengers | 15.5" minimum | 4 (May 16 to Aug 31); 6 (Sept 1 to Dec 31) | May 16 to December 31 |
| Size and limit changed for 2026; set each year with neighboring states. Official source CT DEEP official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026 | ||||
| Delaware Black sea bass |
Set each year: check here. Set each year under the regional management plan. 2026: open 1 May to 31 Dec, 12.5 in, 15 a day. Check before you go. | |||
| Maine Black sea bass |
Maine waters | 13" minimum | 10 | May 19 to September 21 and October 18 to December 31 |
| Official source MDIFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Maryland Black sea bass |
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries | 12.5" minimum | 15 | May 1 to December 31 |
| Secondary source: Maryland fishing guide 2026 (eRegulations) Maryland DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Massachusetts Black sea bass |
State waters | 16" minimum | 4 from May 16 to August 31; 2 from September 1 to October 14 | May 16 to October 14 |
| Official source MassWildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| New Hampshire Black sea bass |
Statewide | 16.5" minimum | 4 | – |
| Secondary source: New Hampshire Fishing Digest 2026 (eRegulations) NH Fish and Game official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026 | ||||
| New Jersey Black sea bass |
Set each year: check here. Seasons and limits are set each year and change through the year (2026: 12.5" minimum; 10 fish May 15 to June 21, 1 fish June 22 to September 22, 10 fish September 23 to October 31, 15 fish November 1 to December 31). Check NJ Fish & Wildlife before fishing. | |||
| New York Black sea bass |
Set each year: check here. Set each year (2026: 16" minimum, 3 to 6 fish depending on the period, May 16 to December 31). Check DEC before fishing. | |||
| North Carolina Black sea bass |
North of Cape Hatteras | 13" minimum | 15 | May 1 to December 31 |
| North Carolina | South of Cape Hatteras | 13" minimum | 7 | – |
| Official source NCWRC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Rhode Island Black sea bass |
Set each year: check here. Limits set each year (as of Nov 2026: 16" minimum; 3 a day May 16 to December 31; party/charter boats 4 to 6 a day). Check DEM before fishing. | |||
| South Carolina Red snapper, black sea bass and other snapper-grouper species |
Set each year: check here. Seasons and limits are set largely under federal rules and can change at short notice. Check SCDNR and NOAA Fisheries before fishing. | |||
| Virginia Black sea bass |
Set each year: check here. Season, size and bag are set each year. Check VMRC before fishing. | |||