Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata
Photo: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
Keep or release?
Where are you fishing?
Size limits, seasons and female rules are set by each state. Pick yours to get a verdict.
TIDE covers New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland rules, plus federal protections everywhere.
Verifying against GBIF…
Conservation status
IUCN Red ListLeast Concern globally. The northern stock is managed with state-by-state seasons whose bag limits change through the year.
What Least Concern means
Assessed as widespread and abundant. This describes the global population, not fishing pressure or legal protection.
On your plate
Common Seafood
Excellent eating. The bag limit depends on the date, so check it before you keep a cooler-full.
Conservation status and seafood sustainability are two different questions. A species can be Least Concern globally and still be overfished, protected or unsustainable where you are.
Habitat
Rocky bottoms, wrecks, jetties and artificial reefs
Range
Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida
Size
Commonly 25–45 cm
Diet
Crabs, shrimp, small fish and clams
Group
fish
Most black sea bass start life female, and many later change to male.
Breeding males grow a bright blue hump on the head.
They crowd around wrecks and reefs, which is why artificial reefs off New Jersey hold so many.
Cook this species