Haddock regulations
Massachusetts · Curated reference from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected Massachusetts saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.
SPECIES LINKS
FIELD GUIDE
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
speciesREVIEWEDA saltwater gadid, the only species in its genus, important to North Atlantic fisheries especially in northern Europe. Most abundant north of the English Channel.
HABITAT
North Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Spitzbergen.
SIZE
longest reported 94 cm (37 in) and 11 kg
IDENTIFY
Haddock are cod-family groundfish with a distinctive black thumbprint on each side, less mottled skin than cod, and a dark lateral line. Confirm all marks together.
LOOK-ALIKES
Compare haddock's black thumbprint and less-mottled skin; cod's lower-jaw barbel is described in the NOAA cod profile.
WHERE
Haddock live near the bottom and prefer gravel, pebbles, clay, and smooth hard sand. NOAA reports them most commonly in roughly 130–500 feet, with juveniles shallower and larger adults deeper.
WHEN
Haddock spawn from January through June in the western North Atlantic, and adults travel to shallower water in spring to spawn. Timing varies with stock and place.
TECHNIQUE
NOAA describes recreational haddock fishing offshore with bait and notes rod-and-reel among documented gear. Match the presentation to bottom conditions and verify the current groundfish rule.
HANDLE
NOAA recommends minimizing handling and air exposure, wetting hands, avoiding the eyes and gills, and dehooking in the water when possible. Use established deep-water release guidance when relevant.
CONSERVATION
NOAA reports the Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine haddock stocks as not overfished and not subject to overfishing in the referenced 2024 assessments. Stock-specific rules still apply.
RULES
Check the current groundfish listing for stock area, state or federal water, method, vessel, season, minimum size, and possession measure. Educational notes do not decide applicability.
SOURCE
FACT-CHECKED 2026-09-03 · REVIEWER fact-check-lane
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
Haddock identification is educational; species identification does not establish legal applicability for Massachusetts.
- LAST LISTED/REFERENCE LIMITS
- 15 fish during the listed annual window. · minimum 17 inches
- LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
- Apr 1, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027 · 15 fish listed
- APPLICABILITY
- Gulf of Maine state waters; federal-water exceptions apply.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- Massachusetts DMF recreational finfish table and groundfish notes; 322 CMR is the official code.
UPDATED April 28, 2026 · CHECKED Aug 10, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026
Massachusetts DMF source table ↗The DMF page is an unofficial summary; 322 CMR is the official code.
LAUNCH SITES
Curated launch sites in Massachusetts (5)
Gulf of Maine · MARINA
Gulf of Maine · DOCK
Gulf of Maine · MARINA
Gulf of Maine · MARINA
Gulf of Maine · MARINA
This reference does not grant permission to fish or retain a catch. Location, method, vessel, species identification, and emergency closures can change what applies. Verify the applicable official rules.