Good news for Northeast anglers: the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has approved up to a 20% increase in the black sea bass harvest for 2026. That means more fish in the cooler — but exactly how many depends on your state. Here’s the breakdown.
UPDATED: April 14, 2026
Expected 2026 Recreational Black Sea Bass Regulations by State
Note: The Black Sea Bass regulations shown below specifically pertain to state waters—within 3 nautical miles of the coast.
| State | Mode | Min. Size | Bag Limit | Open Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | All | 16.5″ | 4 fish | May 17 – Sept 1 |
| All | 16.5″ | 2 fish* | Sept 1 – Oct 14* (pending) | |
| Rhode Island | Private Rec./Shore | 16.5″ | 2 fish
3 fish |
May 22 – Aug 26
Aug 27 – Dec 31 |
| For-Hire | 16″ | 2 fish | June 18 – Aug 31 | |
| For-Hire | 16″ | 6 fish | Sept 1 – Dec 31 | |
| Connecticut | Private Rec./Shore | 15.5″ | 4 fish | May 16 – Nov 25 (no mid-season closure) |
| For-Hire | 15.5″ | 4 fish | May 16 – Aug 31 | |
| For-Hire | 15.5″ | 6 fish | Sept 1 – Dec 31 | |
| New York | All | 16.5″ | 3 fish | June 23 – Aug 31 |
| All | 16.5″ | 6 fish | Sept 1 – Dec 31 | |
| New Jersey | All | 12.5″ | 10 fish
1 fish 10 fish 15 fish |
May 15 – June 21
June 22 – Sept 22 Sept 23 – Oct 31 Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
| Delaware & Maryland | All | 12.5″ | 15 fish | May 1 – Dec 31 |
| Virginia
North Carolina (North of Cape Hatteras) North Carolina (South of Cape Hatteras) |
All | 13″ | 15 fish
15 fish 7 fish |
May 15 – July 15, Aug 5 – Dec 31
May 15 – Sept 30, Oct 10 – Dec 31 |
⚠️ Some states are still finalizing their specific options. We’ll update this article as soon as selections are announced.
What It Means for Your State
Massachusetts
MA anglers are looking at a straightforward two-period season: 4 fish at a minimum of 16.5″ until September 1, when the limit drops to 2 fish through October 14.
Rhode Island
Private recreational boat and shore anglers are limited to 2 fish at a minimum of 16″ from May 22 – Aug 26. The limit increases to 3 fish from Aug 27 – Dec 31.
For-hire charter anglers are permitted 2 fish at a minimum of 16″ from June 18 – Aug 31. The limit increases to 6 fish from Sept 1 – Dec 31 .
Connecticut
At 15.5″ minimum size, Connecticut has the lowest minimum size in the northern region, which gives private and shore anglers a slight edge on keepers.
For-hire limits begin at 4 fish from May 16 – Aug 31, before increasing to 6 fish from Sept 1 – Dec 31.
New York
The bag limit of 3 fish at 16.5″ lasts from June 23 – Aug 31, then increases to 6 fish at a minimum of 16.5″ from Sept 1 – Dec 31.
New Jersey
The minimum size for sea bass in NJ is 12.5″, the lowest in the Northeast. Although the minimum size remains the same throughout the year, bag limits vary by season.
From May 15 – June 21, anglers are allowed 10 fish at 12.5″.
From June 22 – Sept 22, anglers are permitted just 1 fish.
From Sept 23 – Oct 31, anglers are once again permitted 10 fish.
From Nov 1 – Dec 31, anglers are permitted 15 fish.
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia & North Carolina
The southern region will have the most generous limits on the coast at 15 fish per day (except for south of Cape Hatteras).
Why Do the Rules Vary by State?
The ASMFC doesn’t set one uniform rule from Maine to North Carolina. Instead, it uses a regional system where three zones — the northern states (MA–NY), New Jersey, and the southern states (DE–NC) — each receive a share of the overall harvest increase and set their own specific measures to hit that target. This year, the northern region received up to a 27% increase, the southern region up to 16.5%, with New Jersey getting the remainder.
Regulations are subject to change at any time. State agency links are included in the table above — always verify current rules before heading out.
Source: ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board Meeting Summary — March 5, 2026
