Listed below are the MA Saltwater Fishing Regulations for 2013, as put out by NOAA Fisheries and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. In addition to listing saltwater fishing regulations and requiring recreational saltwater fishing licenses, the Mass DMF also advises recreational fishermen to act as responsible stewards of the fishery. Tips include practicing proper handling and releasing of catches, using circle, wide-gap and barbless hooks to prevent lethal harm, and carefully releasing unwanted catches. More tips can be found here.
| 2013 MA Fishing Regulations | |||
| Species | Size | Catch Limit | Season |
| Striped Bass | 2 Fish | 28″ minimum” | – |
| Bluefish | 10 Fish | No Size | – |
| Fluke (Summer Flounder) | 5 Fish | 16″ minimum | May 22 – Sep 30 |
| Winter Flounder/Blackback (South of Cape Cod) | 2 Fish | 12″ minimum | Apr 27 – May 26 Sep 28 – Oct 27 |
| Winter Flounder/Blackback (Canal & north of Cape Cod) | 8 Fish | 12″ minimum | – |
| Scup (Porgy) | 30 Fish | 10″ minimum | May 1 – Dec 31 |
| Black Seabass | 4 Fish | 14″ minimum | May 11 – Oct 31 |
| Tautog (Blackfish) | 3 Fish | 16″ minimum | – |
| Weakfish | 1 Fish | 16″ minimum | – |
| Atlantic Cod (North of Cape Cod to Maine) | 9 Fish | 19″ minimum | April 16 – Oct 31 |
| Atlantic Cod (South and East of Cape Cod) | 10 Fish | 22″ minimum | – |
| Haddock | No Daily Catch Limit | 18″ minimum | – |
| Pollock (MA Waters) | No Daily Catch Limit | No Size Limit | – |
| Pollock (Federal Waters) | No Daily Catch Limit | 19″ Minimum | – |
| Bluefin Tuna | 1 Fish | 27″ – 73″ (permit required) | – |
Striped Bass
| 2 Fish | 28″ minimum |
Bluefish
| 10 Fish | No Size |
Fluke (Summer Flounder)
| 5 Fish | 16″ minimum | May 22 – Sep 30 |
Winter Flounder (Blackbacks)
| South of Cape Cod | ||
| 2 Fish | 12″ minimum | Apr 27 – May 26 Sep 28 – Oct 27 |
| Canal & North of Cape Cod | ||
| 8 Fish | 12″ minimum | |
Scup (Porgy)
| 30 Fish | 10″ minimum | May 1 – Dec 31 |
Black Sea Bass
| 4 Fish | 14″ minimum | May 11 – Oct 31 |
Tautog (Blackfish)
| 3 Fish | 16″ |
Weakfish
| 1 Fish | 16″ minimum |
Atlantic Cod
| North of Cape Cod to Maine | ||
| 9 Fish | 19″ minimum | April 16 – Oct 31 |
| South and East of Cape Cod | ||
| 10 Fish | 22″ minimum | |
Haddock
| No Daily Catch Limit | 18″ minimum |
Pollock
| MA Waters | No Daily Catch Limit | No minimum size |
| Federal Waters | No Daily Catch Limit | 19″ minimum |
Links/Resources
Regulations are subject to change! Please double-check with the appropriate regulatory agency before fishing:
Federal Fisheries Regulations
NOAA Fisheries Service Northeast
(978) 281-9300
www.nero.noaa.gov
NMFS Permit Shop
Buy permits, check regulations and report catch of tunas, billfish and sharks.
www.nmfspermits.com
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
(617) 626-1520
www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
(617) 626-1590 (Freshwater regulations)
www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_toc.htm