2019 Regulations
| Species | Season | Size Limit | Daily Bag Limit | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sea Bass | May 18–Sept 8 | 15″ | 5 fish | 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. |
| Bluefish | No closed season | No size limit | 10 fish | |
| Cod (North of Cape Cod) | Closed Year Round | |||
| Cod (South of Cape Cod) | No closed season | 23″ | 10 fish | Federal rules apply beyond state waters. Consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations. |
| Fluke | May 23–Oct 9 | 17″ | 5 fish | |
| Haddock | No closed season | 17″ | 12 | Federal rules apply beyond state waters: Minimum size: 17 inches Daily limit: 12 fish per angler per day Private Vessel: Year Around For hire: Jan 1-Feb 28; Apr 15-Sep 16; Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
| Halibut | No closed season | 41″ | 1 fish | Federal rules apply beyond state waters. Consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations. |
| Pollock | No closed season | No Limit | No Limit | Federal rules apply beyond state waters. Consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations. |
| Scup – Private | January 01–April 30 | 9″ | 30 fish | |
| Scup – For-Hire Bonus | May 1–June 30 | 9″ | 50 fish | |
| Scup – For-Hire Regular | July 01–December 31 | 9″ | 30 fish | |
| Shad – Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers | No closed season | No Limit | 3 fish | |
| Shad – Other Rivers | – | – | Catch and Release Only | |
| Striped Bass | No closed season | 28 in | 1 fish | Striped bass are measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail. The discard of dead legal sized striped bass is unlawful. The practice of high-grading, whereby legal sized striped bass are released in favor of larger fish caught subsequently is unlawful. Accordingly, it is also unlawful to keep a striped bass alive in water by attaching a line or chain to the fish, or placing it in a live well or holding car. 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. |
| Tautog | Apr 1 – May 31 June 1 – July 31 Aug 1 – Oct 14 Oct 15 – Dec 31 |
16″ | 3 fish 1 fish 3 fish 5 fish |
|
| Weakfish | No closed season | 16″ | 1 fish | |
| Winter Flounder (North of Cape Cod) | All Year | 12″ | 8 fish | Federal rules apply beyond state waters. Consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations. |
| Winter Flounder (South and East of Cape Cod) | March 01–December 31 | 12″ | 2 fish | Federal rules apply beyond state waters. Consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations. |
REMEMBER: Always research local rules and regulations before going fishing!
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