Wolffish 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
Anarhichas lupus
speciesBASICThe seawolf or Atlantic catfish, native to the North Atlantic. Population health is an important indicator of other bottom-dweller populations such as Atlantic cod.
HABITAT
Cold North Atlantic water at depths of 20–500 m (66–1,640 ft).
SIZE
largest reported 1.5 m (5 ft) and ~18 kg (40 lb)
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
Wolffish 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 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.