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Barnegat Ridge

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

New Jersey, United States

4.5·105 catches

Top fish species at Barnegat Ridge

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Check which species have trophy potential in Barnegat Ridge

Barnegat Ridge fishing reports

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Summer flounder

23 in · 5 lb

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Little tunny

length · weight

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Cobia

51 in · 45 lb

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Summer flounder

29 in · 10 lb

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Atlantic bluefin tuna

57 in · 68 lb

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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General info

Barnegat Ridge is a part of an ocean located in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. It is most popular for fishing Black sea bass, Summer flounder, and Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Location

39°41′59.8″N 73°48′38.1″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Barnegat Ridge, NJ

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in New Jersey can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: May 14 - February 28
Black sea bass

Black sea bass

Regulation boundaryGreater Atlantic Federal Waters
Bag limit15

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size12.5" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
Vessels with a Federal permit are subject to the most restrictive regulations, either Federal or State (based on state where you land). For more information about federal regulations, see Greater Atlantic Recreational Regulations To see regulations for a particular state, tap the blue location bar at the top of the app, tap "Open Full Screen" at top right edge of map, then zoom in/out and tap the map to set a pin at your desired location, then tap Save. Your state waters should be listed in blue at the top of the screen. Once you tap "Back" at the top left of the screen, you will see the relevant state regulations.
Edibility
Excellent according to Adam L.
Synonyms
Centropristis striata
Season open: year-round
Summer flounder

Summer flounder

Regulation boundaryGreater Atlantic Federal Waters
Bag limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size19" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
Please check your state's summer flounder regulations. NOAA has continued "conservation equivalency." This means they waived the federal recreational bag limit, minimum fish size, and fishing season, so vessel owners are subject only to regulations for the state in which you intend to land your Summer Flounder. To see regulations for a particular state, tap the blue location bar at the top of the app, tap "Open Full Screen" at top right edge of map, then zoom in/out and tap the map to set a pin at your desired location, then tap Save. Your state waters should be listed in blue at the top of the screen. Once you tap "Back" at the top left of the screen, you will see the relevant state regulations.
Synonyms
Fluke, Paralichthys dentatus
Season open: August 13 - August 10
Atlantic bluefin tuna

Atlantic bluefin tuna

Regulation boundaryHighly Migratory Species
Min size27" (Curved Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Curved fork length means the length of a tuna taken in a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail. The measuring tape must pass over (and touch) the pectoral fin and the caudal keel.

Special gear

HMS Tuna

Anglers with an HMS Angling permit may harvest Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin, Skipjack using handline, rod and reel, or speargun. Bluefin tuna may only be harvested using handline or rod and reel (no speargun).

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Required licenses
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit
Additional information
27" to <73" curved fork length: open 1. Private vessels with Highly Migratory Species Angling permits: 2 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73", of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73") 2. Charter boats with Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally: 3 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73", of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73") 3. Headboats with Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally: 6 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73", of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73") > 73" curved fork length: bag limit = 1 per vessel per year provided the "trophy" category subquota in the respective region is available at the time of harvest (see below). 1. Gulf of Maine: closed 2. Southern New England: closed 3. Trophy South: closed 4. Gulf of America: closed Bluefin tuna retention limits may change throughout the season.Regularly updated information can be found on the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Bag Limits webpage (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/recreational-atlantic-bluefin-tuna-fishery-statuses-and-bag).To confirm current limits, call 1-888-872-8862 or 1-978-281-9260.Anglers must report all recreational bluefin tuna landings. Report all recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna landings to NMFS within 24 hours by calling 1-888-872-8862 or hmspermits.noaa.gov.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Thunnus thynnus
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Local laws and licenses

New Jersey fishing license

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Reviews of Barnegat Ridge

4.5
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8 ratings

5
4
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Barnegat Light

16.3 miles away

Harvey Cedars

17.6 miles away

Surf City

19.3 miles away

Ship Bottom

20.2 miles away

Seaside Park

21.1 miles away

Waretown

21.2 miles away

Forked River

21.5 miles away

Seaside Heights

22.1 miles away

North Beach Haven

22.4 miles away

Beach Haven West

22.6 miles away

Dover Beaches South

22.6 miles away

Ocean Gate

23.3 miles away

Manahawkin

23.3 miles away

Stafford

24.1 miles away

Island Heights

24.4 miles away

Pine Beach

25.1 miles away

Beach Haven

25.1 miles away

Ocean Acres

25.1 miles away

Berkeley

25.1 miles away

Barnegat

25.2 miles away

Beachwood

26.1 miles away

Lacey

26.3 miles away

South Toms River

26.9 miles away

Holiday Heights

28.9 miles away

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FAQ about Barnegat Ridge fishing

📍 Where is Barnegat Ridge located?
Barnegat Ridge is a part of an ocean located in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. Its coordinates are:
39°41′59.8″N 73°48′38.1″W
.
🎣 Where on Barnegat Ridge is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Barnegat Ridge by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Barnegat Ridge?
The most common species in Barnegat Ridge are:
📢 What are the latest Barnegat Ridge fishing reports?
The latest Barnegat Ridge fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Barnegat Ridge right now?
According to fishing regulations at Barnegat Ridge, some of the species in season this November include: Black sea bass, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Grey tilefish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Barnegat Ridge?

Fishing in New Jersey requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, purchasable online or at licensed agents.

In New Jersey, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 70 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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