Ocean County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park offers public shoreline and pier access on the Atlantic coast in Ocean County. Common targets include striped bass, bluefish, and summer flounder.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Marginal conditions for Striped Bass.
Best conditions of 3 species tracked at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.
Small Craft Advisory issued June 5 at 3:01PM EDT until June 7 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:39 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 11:39 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 5:16 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 11:43 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
Species at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Marginal conditions for Striped Bass. In season 52/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — right in striped bass's ideal range
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 20 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 38"
- Daily creel
- 1
28–38" slot, 1 fish/day. Circle hooks are required when fishing with bait.
Source: New Jersey regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Bluefish Marginal conditions for Bluefish. In season 40/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — inside bluefish's active range
- incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 20 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
No minimum size. 5 fish/day from shore or private boat; 7/day on for-hire vessels.
Source: New Jersey regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#3 Summer Flounder Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 24/100
What's helping
- 61°F water — inside summer flounder's active range
What's hurting
- incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- 20 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Daily creel
- 3
18" minimum, 3 fish/day. Exact season dates are set annually by NJ DEP; the typical spring–early-fall window is shown.
Source: New Jersey regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
New Jersey
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Barnegat Lighthouse State Park: NJ Fish & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Barnegat Lighthouse State Park have?
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
state agency regulations apply at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park tidal water?
Yes. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.