New Jersey · United States

Barnegat Light NJ fishing forecast

94 Good of 100

Barnegat Light NJ is a saltwater fishing spot in New Jersey, United States. Anglers here target Striped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.

Quick answer

Best monthsApril, May, June, July

Top speciesStriped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish

Score now94/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #33 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+25.0Chlorophyll+12.6Waves+9.0

Pressure trend

Pressure data unavailable

Best window today

17:00 · Light wind (0 km/h) and calm seas

Next solunar peak

minor 07:48

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	23.4 °C
Wind	14 km/h from WSW, gusting 30 km/h
Wave height	0.7 m at 7 s
Current	0.02 m/s toward N
Pressure	1023 hPa
Depth	2 m
Cloud cover	6%
Chlorophyll	3.33 mg/m³
Salinity	30.8 PSU
Mixed-layer depth	10 m
UV index	0
Wind sea	0.0 m at 1 s
Ground swell	0.4 m at 7 s from E
Current shear (surface vs 50 m)	0.02 → 0.00 m/s

Nearest buoy: Barnegat, NJ (209) (29 km): water 23.4 °C, waves 0.7 m

The water here is 2.0 °C warmer than the September average of 21.4 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 26.7 m, with the thermocline below that.

Tide now: Slack · turns in 321 minTide is an approximate harmonic prediction — confirm with local tide tables.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Barnegat Light NJ

Barnegat Light NJ currently scores 94 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 23.4 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +25.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Chlorophyll +12.6: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Waves +9.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +8.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Chlorophyll front +4.2: a plankton edge — classic feeding line
Barometric pressure +3.3: falling pressure often triggers feeding

What’s biting now

The model expects today: bluefish, striped-bass, bluefin-tuna, weakfish, chub-mackerel, atlantic-bonito, swordfish, scup

[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately

Bite windows

Moon

Waning Crescent · 14% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Barnegat Light NJ:

Score history at this spot

30 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-13, 97/100

27 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

+3 points vs the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Sea

Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · offshore-only

What you can catch

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis
Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix
Weakfish

Cynoscion regalis

Best months by species at Barnegat Light NJ

Striped BassMorone saxatilis
BluefishPomatomus saltatrix
WeakfishCynoscion regalis

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Species	Bag limit	Min size	Open season
Striped Bass	1/day	71.1–78.7 cm slot	Jan 1 – Dec 31
Federal Atlantic EEZ: 1 fish, 28–31" slot limit. State waters have separate rules.

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.