SALTWATER REGULATIONS

Notes:

1) Subject to regulation by the Division and local community. Consult local regulations

2) Black sea bass are measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail, not including the tail filament

3) Scup has a recreational limit of 50 fish per angler with a maximum of 100 fish per private vessel with 2 or more fishermen on board. Anglers on board party/charter boats are allowed 100 scup perangler.

4) Bass must be kept whole, with head, tail and body intact - no mutilation permitted (other than evisceration). The discard of dead, legal size striped bass is prohibited. To prohibit the practice of high-grading, recreational fishermen may not retain legal-sized striped bass and release said fish in favor of another larger legal-sized striped bass captured subsequently. It shall be unlawful to keep striped bass alive in the water by attaching a line or chain to the fish or placing the fish in a live well or holding car

5) Winter flounder may not be taken from Mount Hope Bay and its tributaries except recreational fishermen may take 4 fish between Apr 13 and May 19 and between Sep 28 and Oct 28

6) River herring may not be taken on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays. It is prohibited to catch river herring with any net other than hand-held dip nets. River herring are also subject to regulation by the local community. Consult local regulations

7) Billfish are measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the tail fork

8) Federal rules apply beyond state waters. consult NOAA Fisheries.
 

FRESH WATER REGULATIONS

Minimum length is measured as a straight line from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.  Forked tails may be squeezed together for the final measurement.

From April 1 to September 10, no more than 8 trout (brook, rainbow, brown and tiger) may be taken daily and only 3 of those trout may be from lakes, ponds or major rivers.  From September 11 to March 31, no more than 3 trout may be taken daily.

Smelt may be taken by hook and line only.

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

TO REPORT VIOLATIONS 1-(800)632-8075

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FISHING LICENSE FEES

City clerks must charge an addition dollar service fee and other sales agents may charge up to $1.50 service fee to the price of each license sold.

[Click Here for Up-to-Date Massachusetts Regulations]

[Click Here to purchase your Massachusetts Fishing License online]

---