2019 Massachusetts Fishing Regulations: Black Sea Bass, Scup and Fluke
The Division of Marine Fisheries has revised the 2019 recreational fishing limits for black sea bass and scup. The rules for fluke remain unchanged. Rules take effect April 13.
Black Sea Bass
Massachusetts black sea bass season will open one day earlier in May to maintain a Saturday opening date. However, the projected increase in harvested fish resulted in the closing of fishery four days earlier in September.
Scup
The northern region of Massachusetts-New York is given additional harvest opportunities in 2019 to achieve the coastwide harvest limit of 7.37 million pounds. Massachusetts selected to eliminate the closed season of January-April and increase the possession limit aboard for-hire vessels during the “bonus season” (May-June in Massachusetts) by five fish.
Fluke
Although the coastwide recreational harvest limit is being increased to 7.69 million pounds (up from 4.42 million pounds), revised catch estimates indicate the fishery is already operating at this level, so its status quo for 2019.
|
Fishery  |
Open Season |
Possession Limit* |
Minimum Size |
|
Black Sea Bass |
May 18–September 8 |
5 fish |
15″ |
|
Scup, Private Vessel & Shore |
April 13–December 31 |
30 fish (150 fish/vessel maximum) |
9″ |
|
Scup, For-Hire Vessels |
April 13–April 30 |
30 fish |
9″ |
|
May 1–June 30 |
50 fish |
||
|
July 1–December 31 |
30 fish |
||
|
Fluke |
May 23–October 9 |
5 fish |
17″ |
* Possession limits are per person per day unless otherwise noted.
When is the fishery going to wake up that there are more fluke around now than ever! We’re catching fluke in Boston, have been for years now! Unheard of! Again the commercial fleet win!
No, the fish win. Stop whining and eat more sea robins.
Raising the limit on scup is going to cut into the numbers available for Striper forage which they need as now the Menhaden are being over-harvested for cat food. Taking the fish in April, during spawning, is sure to knock down the numbers!! Bad plan. Who needs or wants to filet 50 scup? I caught and fileted 50 yellow perch, ONCE, and never again. I got a backache from so many fish! Take what you need. “Throw back the big ones and pan fry the little ones ” (Steely Dan)
Tight lines, conserve and preserve.
Boston harbor was the most polluted harbor in the United States for years! Be happy you’re catching anything!
seals eat all the fluke thats ok
Boston harbor was the most polluted harbor in the United States for years! Be happy you’re catching anything!
Anyone know how far north of MA you can catch fluke?
Live in NH and would love to catch some!
This is the year I will harvest Sea Robins. Just promised my Son we would.
Anybody who thinks there are more fluke around than ever must be VERY young. Are you kidding me?
Anything on circle hook mandate yet?
The last two years I have caught and released more keeper stripers, here is the But! I have fished more? enjoy the time we have.