Recreational Saltwater Fishing Rules & Regulations
Before you fish, it's important to learn the rules of the sport. MassWildlife sets seasons and limits to keep populations healthy and provide a variety of opportunities both for you to fish, and for the fish to keep prospering. Get familiar with the seasons, limits, and other fishing regulations.
Reminder to both MA residents, and non MA residents to purchase your Saltwater license for LESS THEN $20! The fines ARE NOT WORTH THE RISK!
*STANDARD PRICE is $10* This price does not include the $5 "Wildlands Conservation Stamp" added to the first purchase of a resident or non-resident license.
** The blue link below brings you to the Mass.gov RECREATIONAL SALT WATER website. Please ALWAYS refer to Mass.gov website for the most up to date rules and regulations. Including information on how to purchase a fishing license as well as catch limits, size constraints, and legal vs illegal fishing methods in Massachusetts water.
Where To Fish In Salt Water
Boat ramps, piers, and shore-side fishing areas
With more than 1,500 miles of coastline, Massachusetts offers a variety of places to fish. This OFBA Boat Ramp Viewer lists boat launches, boat ramps, fishing piers, and shore-side fishing areas in both saltwater and freshwater.
All anglers should also be made aware of their public access rights along the shoreline.
Artificial reefs
Get information and view maps of artificial reef locations.
Fishing charters
Visit the Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Guide for a directory of for-hire vessels.
*All Links redirect to MASS.GOV site
Fish the Ditch at Cape Cod Canal!
View Saltwater Species Profiles
Find information about the biology, habits, and management of saltwater finfish and invertebrate species in Massachusetts. Find Local Laws and more!
Local Salt Water Species
Please check out the links below to help you learn more about your favorite species of fish!
- Acadian redfish
- Alewife
- American dab
- American eel
- Atlantic blue marlin
- Atlantic bonito
- Atlantic cod
- Atlantic halibut
- Atlantic herring
- Atlantic mackerel
- Atlantic menhaden
- Black sea bass
- Blue shark
- Bluefin tuna
- Bluefish
- Cusk
- Haddock
- Monkfish
- Rainbow smelt
- Scup
- Striped bass
- Summer flounder
- Tautog
- Yellowfin tuna
Please refer to LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS according to MA Devision of Marine FIsheries! Please help keep nature as it is intended!
Limits based on 2023 season
**This is for information purpose only! please always check with official ruels and regulations!**
|
Species |
Size Limit | Season | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| American eel (1) | Min: 9" | Year Round | 25 fish |
| American Shad (Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers) |
N/A | Year Round | 3 fish |
| American Shad (Other Waters) |
N/A | Year Round | Prohibited. Catch and release only. |
| Black Sea Bass* (2,6) | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Bluefish | N/A | Year Round | 3 fish (shore & private) 5 fish (for-hire) |
| Cod* (3,4) Gulf of Maine |
Min 22" | Jan 1 - Mar 31 Apr 1 - Apr 14 Apr 15 - Apr 30 May 1 - Dec 31 |
Prohibited 1 fish Prohibited TBD |
| Cod (3,4) Southern New England |
Min: 22" Max: 28" |
Jan 1 - Apr 30 May 1 - Jul 31 Aug 1 - Dec 31 |
5 fish Prohibited TBD |
| Dab (plaice) (3, 4) | Min: 14" | Year Round | No Limit |
| Grey Sole (3,4) | Min: 14" | Year Round | No Limit |
| Haddock* (3,4) Gulf of Maine |
Min: 17" | Jan 1 - Feb 28 Mar 1 - Mar 31 Apr 1 - Apr 30 May 1 - Dec 31 |
20 fish Prohibited 20 fish TBD |
| Haddock Southern New England |
Min: 18" | Year Round | No Limit |
| Halibut (3,4) | Min: 41" | Year Round | 1 fish |
| Mackerel (5) | N/A | Year Round | 20 fish |
| Monkfish (3,4) | N/A | Year Round | No Limit |
| Ocean Pout (3,4) | N/A | Closed | Prohibited |
| Pollock (3,4) | N/A | Year Round | No Limit |
| Redfish (3,4) | N/A | Year Round | No Limit |
| River Herring | N/A | Closed | Prohibited |
| Scup* (6) | Min: 10" | Jan 1 - Apr 30 May 1 - Dec 31 |
30 fish TBD |
| Smelt | N/A | Jan 1 - Mar 14 Mar 15 - Jun 15 Jun 16 - Dec 31 |
50 fish Prohibited 50 fish |
| Summer Flounder (Fluke) |
Min: 16.5" | Jan 1 - May 20 May 21 - Sep 29 Sep 30 - Dec 31 |
Prohibited 5 fish Prohibited |
| Spiny Dogfish | N/A | Year Round | No Limit |
| Striped Bass (7) | 28" to less than 35" | Year Round | 1 fish |
| Tautog (8) | Min: 16" Only one fish may exceed 21" |
Jan 1 - Mar 31 Apr 1 - May 31 Jun 1 - Jul 31 Aug 1 - Oct 14 Oct 15 - Dec 31 |
Prohibited 3 fish 1 fish 3 fish 5 fish |
| Weakfish | Min: 16" | Year Round | 1 fish |
| White Perch | Min: 8" | Year Round | 25 fish |
| Windowpane Flounder | N/A | Closed | Prohibited |
| Winter Flounder Gulf of Maine |
Min: 12" | Year Round | 8 fish |
| Winter Flounder Southern New England |
Min: 12" | Jan 1 - Feb 28 Mar 1 - Dec 31 |
2 fish |
| Wolffish | N/A | Closed | Prohibited |
| Yellowtail Flounder | 13" | Year Round | No Limit |
**This is for information purpose only! please always check with official ruels and regulations!**