Regulations listed below are subject to change during the 2016 season.
1) Subject to regulation by the Division and the municipality. Please consult municipal regulations.
2) American Shad is a catch and release fishery, except for on the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers where anglers may retain up to 3 fish per day.
3) 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.
4) Federal rules apply beyond state waters. Consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations.
5) It is unlawful to fish with hook and line gear in the Winter Cod Conservation Closure from November 15 through January 31. It is unlawful to take cod from the Spring Cod Conservation Closure from April 16 through July 21.
6) Striped bass must be kept whole, meaning the head, tail, and body remain intact. Only evisceration is allowed. Permitted for-hire vessels may fillet striped bass for their customers.
7) Black sea bass and scup may be filleted but not skinned while at-sea. No more than two fillets per allowed fish may be possessed.
Recreational Shark Regulations
| Species |
Minimum Size |
Possession Limit |
| All Permitted Sharks (exceptions listed below) |
54 in. |
1 total per trip |
| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark |
No minimum size |
included in total shark bag limit + 1 additional |
| Bonnethead Shark |
No minimum size |
included in total shark bag limit + 1 additional |
| Smooth Dogfish |
No minimum size |
included in total shark bag limit + 1 additional |
| Blacknose Shark |
No minimum size |
included in total shark bag limit |
| Finetooth Shark |
No minimum size |
included in total shark bag limit |
| Hammerhead Shark |
78 in. |
included in total shark bag limit |
Permitted Species
The following species are allowed to be harvested:
Smooth Dogfish, Atlantic sharpnose, Bonnethead, Finetooth, Blacknose, Tiger, Blacktip, Spinner, Bull, Lemon, Nurse, Scalloped hammerhead, Great hammerhead, Smooth hammerhead, Shortfin mako, Porbeagle, Common thresher, Oceanic whitetip, Blue
Prohibited Species
The following species are prohibited from harvest:
Silky, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Bigeye sand tiger, Whale, Basking, White, Dusky, Bignose, Galapagos, Night, Caribbean reef, Narrowtooth, Caribbean sharpnose, Smalltail, Atlantic angel, Longfin mako, Bigeye thresher, Sharpnose sevengill, Bluntnose sixgill, Bigeye sixgill
Recreational Shellfish Regulations
| Species |
Minimum Size |
Other Restrictions |
| Bay Scallop |
well defined growth ring |
Closed April 01–October 01
consult town regulations |
| Conch |
3 in. shell width |
consult town regulations |
| Oyster |
3 in. shell diameter |
consult town regulations |
| Quahog |
1 in. shell thickness |
consult town regulations |
| Sea Scallop |
3 1/2 in. shell diameter |
daily limit of 1 bushel in shell, or 4 quarts of shucked meats |
| Softshell Clam |
2 in. shell diameter |
consult town regulations |
| Surf Clam |
5 in. shell diameter |
consult town regulations |
Recreational Lobster Regulations
| Gulf of Maine Recreational Lobster Area |
| Minimum Size |
3 1/4 in. |
| Maximum Size |
5 in. |
| V-Notched Females: Definition |
Illegal to possess any female lobster that bears a notch or indentation in the base of the flipper that is at least as deep as 1/8 in. with or without setal hairs |
| Trap Limit |
10 Traps |
| Escape Vent |
One rectangular vent 1 15/16 in. × 5 3/4 in. or two circular vents of 2 7/16 in. in diameter |
| Bag Limit |
15 lobsters per day |
|
|
| Outer Cape Cod Recreational Lobster Area |
| Minimum Size |
3 3/8 in. |
| Maximum Size |
None |
| V-Notched Females: Definition |
Illegal to possess any female lobster that bears a notch or indentation in the base of the flipper that is at least as deep as 1/8 in. with or without setal hairs |
| Trap Limit |
10 Traps |
| Escape Vent |
One rectangular vent 2 in. × 5 3/4 in. or two circular vents of 2 5/8 in. in diameter |
| Bag Limit |
15 lobsters per day |
| Southern New England Recreational Lobster Area |
| Minimum Size |
3 3/8 in. |
| Maximum Size |
5 1/4 in. |
| V-Notched Females – Definition |
Illegal to possess any female lobster that bears a notch or indentation in the base of the flipper that is at least as deep as 1/8 in. with or without setal hairs |
| Trap Limit |
10 Traps |
| Escape Vent |
One rectangular vent 2 in.× 5 3/4 in. or two circular vents of 2 5/8 in. in diameter |
| Bag Limit |
15 lobsters per day |
Taking Lobster at Night is Prohibited
Lobster may only be harvested from 1⁄2 hour before sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after sunset.
Egg-Bearing Females
It is unlawful to possess or land any lobster:
- that is egg-bearing,
- from which eggs have been removed, or
- that has come in contact with any substance capable of removing lobster eggs.
Recreational Crab Regulations
| Species |
Blue Crab |
Other Edible Crabs (excludes Green Crabs) |
| Minimum Size |
5 in. shell width (spine to spine) |
None |
| Other Regulations |
Egg-bearers cannot be taken; 25 crabs/day; no permit required unless using traps or SCUBA; closed season is January 01–April 30, inclusive |
50 crabs total per day (including up to 25 blue)—other regulations are the same as for blue crab |
*In order to harvest green crabs you must obtain a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the Division. Please contact Kerry Allard for an LOA or more information at (617) 626-1633 or kerry.allard@state.ma.us).
