Island Beach State Park fishing conditions · New Jersey

Now until tomorrow 3 pmStriped bass

The bite peaks at 100. Water is 59°, close to the 62° striped bass like best, and a solunar period lands on the window.

Right now: 100 for striped bass, go · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Striped bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

1003 am
100
100
1006 am
100
100
1009 am
100
100
10012 pm
100
100
1003 pm
100
100
1006 pm
100
100
1009 pm
100
100
100Tue
100
100
1003 am
100
100
1006 am
100
100
1009 am
100
100
10012 pm
100
100

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: 59°F
Wind: 10 mph
Light: Dark
Sky: Clear
Air: 50°F
Barometer: Falling
Moon: 100% lit

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are New Jersey regulations for these waters.

Striped bass

Morone saxatilis

100GoNow until tomorrow 3 pm

Water

59°

40°50–72° · ideal 62°82°

Why

Right in striped bass's ideal range. Striped bass prefers incoming tide. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 5–35 ft down.

Keep

28" minimum · 31" maximum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 1 fish at 28–31". Atlantic Ocean 0–3 miles: no closed season; beyond 3 miles closed. Circle hooks required with natural bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New Jersey

Season here: May–Nov, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on striped bass

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

57MarginalNow until 7 am

Water

59°

50°60–80° · ideal 70°90°

Why

Bluefish prefers incoming tide. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 5–50 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. No minimum size. 5 fish a day from shore or a private boat; 7 on for-hire vessels. Open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New Jersey

Season here: Jun–Oct, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on bluefish

Summer flounder

Paralichthys dentatus

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

59°

48°58–75° · ideal 65°85°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside summer flounder's active range. Holds 10–100 ft down.

Keep

18" minimum · 3 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. 3 fish at 18", May 4–Sep 25.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New Jersey

Season here: Jul–Sep, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. Likes an outgoing tide. More on summer flounder

The water

Water temperature59°F
Seas3 ft at the nearest buoy
Barometer30.38 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunrise today7:18 am
Sunset today6:02 pm
MoonFull, 100% lit
Minor solunarToday 7:20 am–8:20 am
Major solunarToday 11:50 am–1:50 pm
Minor solunarToday 5:30 pm–6:30 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. NJ Fish & Wildlife has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

Undeveloped barrier beach between Seaside Park and Barnegat Inlet, with mobile sport fishing by permit. Striped bass and bluefish from spring through fall, best around dawn, dusk and the moving tide; summer flounder (fluke) over sand in summer.

WaterJersey Shore
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesNew Jersey
WhereOcean County · 39.8346, -74.0884

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park6 mi · New JerseyBest now until tomorrow 10 am

100Go

Point Pleasant Beach18 mi · New JerseyBest now until 7 am

88Go

Manasquan19 mi · New JerseyBest today 4 am–7 am

88Go

Belmar24 mi · New JerseyBest now until 7 am

88Go

Brigantine33 mi · New JerseyBest now until tomorrow 3 pm

100Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Island Beach State Park?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Island Beach 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 Island Beach State Park?

Island Beach 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 Island Beach 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 Island Beach 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 Island Beach State Park have?

Island Beach State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Island Beach State Park?

state agency regulations apply at Island Beach 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 Island Beach State Park tidal water?

Yes. Island Beach 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.