Massachusetts fishing regulations

Curated references from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected Massachusetts saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.

SEP 2026

SOURCESTALE — VERIFYMassachusetts DMF source table ↗MASSACHUSETTS · SPECIES 18 SPECIES · AUTHORITY Massachusetts DMF recreational finfish table; 322 CMR is the official code. · Massachusetts DMF recreational finfish table and groundfish notes; 322 CMR is the official code. · Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), recreational finfish table; 322 CMR is the official code. · Massachusetts DMF recreational finfish table and tautog note; 322 CMR is the official code. · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026UPDATED APRIL 28, 2026 · CHECKED AUG 10, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · FRESHNESS ≤ 7 DAYSChecked more than 7 days ago — current status is unknown until verified.The DMF page is an unofficial summary; 322 CMR is the official code.

SPECIESLISTED SEASON WINDOWSJFMAMJJASONDBAG / LIMITMIN SIZELISTING

Atlantic Bonito and False Albacore16-inch curved fork length; applies only to fish caught and possessed in state waters. · Last listed/reference: 5 fish combined. · minimum 16 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Atlantic CodWestern Gulf of Maine state waters; conservation closures and federal-water exceptions apply. · Listed season windows: Sep 1, 2026 through Oct 31, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 1 fish during the listed season. · minimum 23 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Atlantic HalibutGroundfish state-water rule; federal-water exceptions apply. · Last listed/reference: 1 fish. · minimum 41 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Atlantic MackerelPrivate anglers only; daily per-angler harvest and possession limit while fishing, with storage exceptions described by DMF. · Last listed/reference: 25 fish.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Black Sea BassApplies to recreational anglers; at-sea filleting/skinning restrictions apply. · Listed season windows: May 16, 2026 through Aug 31, 2026 · 4 fish listed · Sep 1, 2026 through Oct 14, 2026 · 2 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 4 fish May 16-August 31; 2 fish September 1-October 14. · minimum 16 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

BluefishPrivate-vessel and shore anglers only; for-hire vessels have a different limit. · Last listed/reference: 5 fish.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

HaddockGulf of Maine state waters; federal-water exceptions apply. · Listed season windows: Apr 1, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027 · 15 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 15 fish during the listed annual window. · minimum 17 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Ocean PoutRetention, possession, and landing are prohibited; release catch. · Last listed/reference: Prohibited.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

PollockGroundfish state-water rule; federal-water exceptions apply. · Last listed/reference: No possession limit listed.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

River HerringRetention, possession, and landing are prohibited; release catch. · Last listed/reference: Prohibited.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

ScupPrivate vessels only; for-hire and shore rules differ. · Listed season windows: May 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 30 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 30 fish; a private vessel with five or more anglers has a 150-fish vessel maximum. · minimum 11 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Striped Bass28 inches to less than 31 inches; source also carries gear, measurement, and handling requirements. · Last listed/reference: 1 fish. · minimum 28 inches · less than 31 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Summer FlounderVessel-based recreational fishing; shore-based rules use a different minimum size. · Listed season windows: May 24, 2026 through Sep 23, 2026 · 5 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 5 fish. · minimum 17.5 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

TautogPrivate anglers; the most restrictive per-angler or vessel limit applies. · Listed season windows: Apr 1, 2026 through May 31, 2026 · 3 fish listed · Jun 1, 2026 through Jul 31, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Aug 1, 2026 through Oct 14, 2026 · 3 fish listed · Oct 15, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 5 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 3/1/3/5 fish by the listed windows; one fish per person per day may exceed 21 inches and the vessel aggregate may not exceed 10 fish. · minimum 16 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

WeakfishMassachusetts DMF recreational finfish table; 322 CMR is the official code. · Last listed/reference: 1 fish. · minimum 16 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Windowpane FlounderRetention, possession, and landing are prohibited; release catch. · Last listed/reference: Prohibited.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

Winter FlounderGulf of Maine only (north of Cape Cod). · Last listed/reference: 8 fish. · minimum 12 inchesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

WolffishRetention, possession, and landing are prohibited; release catch. · Last listed/reference: Prohibited.WINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY

LAUNCH SITES

Curated launch sites in Massachusetts (5)

ALL SITES →

Boston - Constitution Marina

Gulf of Maine · MARINA

CHECK LIVE FORECAST →

Chatham - Fish Pier

Gulf of Maine · DOCK

CHECK LIVE FORECAST →

Gloucester Harbor

Gulf of Maine · MARINA

CHECK LIVE FORECAST →

Nantucket Boat Basin

Gulf of Maine · MARINA

CHECK LIVE FORECAST →

Plymouth Harbor

Gulf of Maine · MARINA

CHECK LIVE FORECAST →

One page per launch site

The rulebook is one input. Wind, waves, tide, and warnings for your launch site — one page, one planning verdict, before the trailer leaves the driveway.

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Reference only, not permission to fish or retain a catch. Verify the current official regulations before you go.

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