River Herring 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
Alosa pseudoharengus
speciesBASICThe alewife or river herring, commonly anadromous with significant landlocked populations. Adults are marine, moving into estuaries and upstream to breed in freshwater.
HABITAT
Northern West Atlantic as adults; estuaries and freshwater breeding habitats.
SIZE
max ~40 cm (16 in); typical ~30 cm
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
River Herring identification is educational; species identification does not establish legal applicability for Massachusetts.
- LAST LISTED/REFERENCE LIMITS
- Prohibited.
- APPLICABILITY
- Retention, possession, and landing are prohibited; release catch.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- Massachusetts DMF recreational finfish table; 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.