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Last Updated:
January 5, 2009
   

Recreational Fishing
Regulations
  Full text of MarineFisheries Regulations (322 CMR)
  Finfish
  Shellfish
  Lobster & Crabs
  Definitions
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  Finfish
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  * This table is intended as a general summary of MA recreational fishing regulations. Please refer to 322 CMR for the complete regulation details.






















Recreational Finfish Regulations as of April 4, 2008
Species
Season
Open - Close
Size Limit
Possession Limit
  American Eel (1)
All Year 6 in 50 fish
All Year 12 in 20 fish
  Blue Marlin (7)
All Year 86 in 1 fish
All Year none 10 fish
  Cod
  Cod Conservation Zone
Apr 01 - Oct 31 24 in 10 fish
Nov 01 - Nov 30 24 in 2 fish / person
(75 lb / boat)
Dec 01 - Feb 28   Closed
Feb 29 - Mar 31 24 in 2 fish / person
(75 lb / boat)
  Cod
  North of Cape Cod
Apr 01 - Oct 31
 24 in 10 fish
Nov 01 - Mar 31
 24 in 2 fish / person
(75 lb / boat)
  Cod
  South and East of Cape Cod
All Year 22 in 10 fish
  Dab (Plaice)
All Year 14 in none
  Dogfish
All Year none none
  Fluke
June 10 - August 15 17.5 in 5 fish
  Gray Sole (Witch)
All Year 14 in none
  Haddock (8)
All Year 19 in none
  Halibut
All Year 36 in 1 fish
  Monkfish
All Year 17 in none
  Pollock
All Year none none
  Redfish
All Year 9 in none
  River Herring (6)
Harvest, possession, sale and use are prohibited
  Sailfish (7)
All Year 57 in 1 fish
  Scup (3)
May 24 - Sep 26 10.5 in 10 fish
  Shad
All Year none 6 fish
  Sharks
Federal rules apply. Consult NOAA Fisheries
  Smelt
Jun 16 - Mar 14 none none
All Year 28 in 2 fish