Size/Quantity Regulations and Laws for Massachusetts

Freshwater|Saltwater|Shellfish|Hunting|Waterfowling

Freshwater Fishing on the Cape

(Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife; 617- 727-3151)
( 1-800-ASK-FISH )

                              Creel Limit             Minimum Length

Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout:   3("lakes,ponds,major rivers") --(1/1-12/31)
"All other rivers and brooks"   8                             --(4/1-9/10) 
Special Brown Trout Waters        1Brown (of 3 trout)       15"
     (Gull Pond,Wellfleet)
Sea Run Brown Trout                2                        -- 
(Childs R.;Coonamessit R.;Jones R.;Mashpee R.;Quashnet R.;Santuit Cr.;Scorton Cr.) 

Landlocked Salmon                  2                        18"

American Shad                      6                        --
Chain Pickeral                     5                        15
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass         5                        12
Northern Pike                      1                        28
Striped Bass                       1                        34
Tiger Muskie                       1                        28





Saltwater Fishing in Massachusetts
( Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Finfish; 617-727-3193 )

"                              Closed      Size         Possess
Species            Note        Season      Inches       Limit  

Black Sea Bass                  --         12"           **20
Bluefish                        --         --            **10
Blue Marlin        (2,3)        --         86"           1/trip
Cod                (4)          --         **21/*19"     10 see(4)
Dabs(Plaice)                    --         14"           ----
Eel                (1)          --          6"           **50
Grey Sole(witch)                --         14"           ----
Haddock            (4)          --         **21/*19"     10 see (4)
Monkfish                        --         17"(11"tails) ----
Pollock                         --          *19"         ----
Red drum                        --         14"           ----  
Redfish                         --          9"           ----
River Herring      (1)          --         --            (1)
Sailfish           (2,3)        --         57"           1/trip
Scup                            --          9"          **50
Shad               (2)          --         --            6
Smelt              (2)      3/15-6/15      --            ----
Striped Bass       (2,6)    *varies    **30/*34"       see (6)
Summer Flounder(fluke)      **10/3-5/9 **15.5"/*14"     **8
Tautog             *11/1-4/14 & 5/16-7/10  16"           **6, *40
Weakfish                        --         16"           ----
White Marlin       (2,3)        --         62"           1/trip
Windowpane Flounder             --         12"           ----
Winter Flounder    (5)       **3/1-4/30    12"          **10
Yellowtail Flounder             --         13"           ----

Finfish are measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail. For fish with forked tails, the upper and lower fork may be squeezed together to measure the tail extremity. Exception: black sea bass where the tail filament is not included, and billfish that are measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the tail fork. Minimum sizes subject to change: Contact the Division for further information.

 

  1. Subject to regulation by the Division and local community. Consult local regulations.
  2. May be taken by hook and line only; spearing, netting, snagging are prohibited.
  3. No commercial fishing except for swordfish.
  4. As of January 1, 1997 the recreational size for Cod and Haddock is 21". There is a 10 fish haddock/cod combination bag-limit. The recreational size and possession limits apply to fishermen fishing from shore or private vessels. The commercial size remains at 19"
  5. Winter Flounder can not be taken commercially inside the winter flounder spawning closure area or inside inshore net areas from February 1st through May 31st. Winter Flounder can not be taken from Mount Hope Bay and it's tributaries.
  6. Striped Bass has a 30" minimum size and a one fish bag limit for recreational fishermen. 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. The commercial minimum size limit is 34", the 2000 commercial season begins on July 3rd, and there will be a 40 fish/vessel possession limit. Striped Bass may only be harvested by hook & line. For information on commercially harvesting striped bass, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries.

     

** Refers to Recreational fishing only.

* Refers to Commercial fishing only."

Massachusetts Shellfish (check your town regulations) ( Massachusetts DMF; 617-727-3193 ) Blue Crab -- 4 1/8 50 Lobster -- 3 1/4 (license) Bay Scallop -- growth ring -- Conch -- 2 3/4 width -- Oyster -- 3 diameter -- Quahog -- 1 thick -- Sea Scollop -- 3 1/2 height -- Softshell Clam -- 2 diameter -- Surf Clam -- 5 diameter --
Upland Hunting See the Massachusetts State Site Open Season Daily Bag Possession Season Limit Crow 7/1-4/10 -- -- -- Ruffed Grouse 10/18-11/29 3 6 15 Pheasant 10/18-11/29 2 4 6 Quail 10/18-11/29 4 8 20 Snowshoe Hare 10/19-2/5/97 2 -- 4 Cottontail Rabbit 11/15-2/29/97 5 10 -- Opossum 10/1-1/31/97 -- -- -- Raccoon 10/1-1/31/97 3 -- -- Fox (red/grey) 11/1-2/29/97 -- -- -- Coyote 11/1-2/28/97 -- -- -- Grey Squirrel 10/19-1/2/97 5 10 -- Jackrabbit (Nantucket) 11/15-12/31 1 2 -- Deer('97) (Archery) 11/2-11/22 1 -- 2 (Shotgun) 12/1-12/6 1 -- 2 (Blackpowder) 12/15-12/17 1 -- 2 (Deadline for Antlerless Deer Tags is August 15 ! ! ! ! !, back of license.)
Waterfowling ('99-'00) See the Massachusetts State Site
Stocked Trout Streams on the Cape and Islands and see The Massachusetts State Site ( Southeast District Fisheries: 508-759-3406 ) Barnstable: Marston Mills R., Bridge Cr., Santuit R. Mashpee: Mashpee R. Mattapoisett: Mattapoisett R. Sandwich: Mill Cr., Scorton Creek Truro: Pamet R. Brewster: Stony Brook Falmouth: Child's R., Coonemessitt R. Stocked Trout Ponds on the Cape and Islands Brewster: Sheep Pond, Cliff Pond, Flax Pond, Little Cliff Pond, Higgins Pond, Stony Brook. Dennis: Scargo Lake Sandwich: Peter's Pond, Hoxie Pond, Spectacle Pond, Pimlico Pond Mashpee: Mashpee-Wakeby, John's Pond Falmouth: Ashumet Pond, Deep Pond, Grews Pond, Mares Pond Orleans: Baker Pond, Crystal Pond Yarmouth: Long Pond Chatham: Goose Pond, Schoolhouse Pond Eastham: Herring Pond Wellfleet: Gull Pond Barnstable: Hamblin Pond, Lovell's Pond, Shubael Pond, Hathaway Pond West Tisbury: Seth's Pond, Old Mill Pond Oak Bluffs: Upper Lagoon Pond Northern Pike/ Tiger Muskellunge Stocked Ponds Barnstable: Hamblin Pond (Tiger Muskie, 1988) Wequaquet Lake (Northern Pike, 1986, 1989)
Other Considerations There are other considerations to take into account in a safe and successful outing. For instance, many towns have laws against night boating except for commercial purposes. This means no "sport fishing" for Stripers after dark from your whaler or tin boat. These rules are enforced by the local constabulary and should be checked with them or in the town hall under "ordinances". Safety equipment is often checked by the Coast Guard at dusk and at night (a word to the wise). On a less obvious note, night fishing also requires other cautions such as heavy wire cutters capable of shearing through hook shanks. Backup flashlight and red lenses to preserve night vision. Compass, even in daylight a fog can be disorienting while wading away from shore and tides change direction misleading us to danger. Current, drift, leeway, traffic, ATN's, seas, changing weather, visibility, hazards, fuel, sea worthiness, communications, navigation, stability, sea legs, and fatigue are all serious considerations beyond the choice of bait and pole in a boat. The necessity to consider these factors shouldn't dis-courage anyone from enjoying the fishing. Failure to consider any of these or the discomfort of bearing the responsibility SHOULD discourage the boater from ever leaving the dock. Or at least from loosing sight of it. Comfort with the responsibilities of safe boating lessens anxiety and the fatigue that results. Navigating the rocks of the Canal, jetties or breakwalls requires further planning and caution. Felt soles are generally considered the best traction on slippery rocks but many wear knee boots or even running shoes (guaranteed to bark an ankle in even a small slip). Take or make a staff for third point stability or use the butt of your pole. Before walking out stand and look at your route for a minute. Is there spray contributing to its slipperyness? Are the rocks big and spaces wide necesitating short jumps? Have the rocks been fitted together to make a more stable, less tippy, path. Is the wind and the tide a factor? Then play devil's desciple. How would you save yourself in a fall? Which hand will you keep free? What if you fall into the water? Is there current? Can you approach the water to unhook a fish or is it too steep and has too much rock weed? All these factors can be considered in a minute or two. A little preparation can minimize an ugly accident.
This page last updated, April 6.1998.

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This page was created by Michael Eichenseer.