Massachusetts Recreational Fishing Regulations
SPECIES SEASON SIZE LIMIT POSESSION LIMIT PICTURE NOTES
Alewife M/W/F & Sat NONE 25
Hand-held dip nets only.
American Eel Year Round 6" 50
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
American Lobster Year Round 5" None
Size limit refers to carapace length. 10 Pot Maximum.
American Plaice Year Round 14" 25
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
American Shad Year Round None 6
May be taken by rod and reel only.
Atlantic Cod Year Round 22" 10
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Atlantic Bonito Year Round None None
 
Atlantic Mackerel Year Round None None
May be taken by rod and reel only.
Basking Shark None N/A N/A
This species is protected under federal law.
Bay Scallop * * *
*Regulated by individual towns.
Bigeye Tuna Year Round 27" None
Size limit measured from tail fork.
Black Bullhead Year Round None None
 
Black Sea Bass May 10 - Dec 31 12" 20
Tail filament does not count towards total length.
Bluefin Tuna Year Round 27-73" 1
Size limit measured from tail fork.
Bluefish Year Round None 10
Tail fork may be squeezed together to measure total length.
Bluegill Sunfish Year Round None None
 
Blue Marlin Year Round 99" None
Size limit measured from lower jaw to tail fork.
Blue Shark Year Round 54" 1
Size limit measured from fork in tail.
Brook Trout Year Round None 3
Possession limit applies to total trout catch, not to single species.
Brown Shark Year Round 54" 1
Size limit measured from fork in tail.
Brown Trout Year Round None 3
Possession limit applies to total trout catch, not to single species.
Calico Bass Year Round None None
 
Carp Year Round None None
 
Chain Pickerel Year Round 15" 5
Tail fork may be squeezed together to measure total length.
Conch * 2-3/4" *
*Regulated by individual towns.
Cunner Year Round None None
 
Cusk Year Round None None
 
False Albacore Year Round None None
 
Fluke Year Round 16-1/2" 7
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Fourspot Flounder Year Round None None
 
Green Crab Year Round None 50
No permit required if pots are not method of capture.
Haddock Year Round 19" NONE
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Largemouth Bass Year Round 12" 5
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Lady Crab May 1 - Dec 31 None 50
No permit required if pots are not method of capture.
Mako Shark Year Round 54" 1
Size limit measured from fork in tail.
Monkfish Year Round None None
 
Mud Crab May 1 - Dec 31 None 50
No permit required if pots are not method of capture.
Ocean Perch Year Round None None
 
Ocean Pout Year Round None None
 
Ocean Sunfish Year Round None None
 
Oyster * 3" *
*Regulated by individual towns.
Pollock Year Round None None
 
Porbeagle Year Round 54" 1
Size limit measured from fork in tail.
Pumpkinseed Sunfish Year Round None None
 
Quahog * 1" *
*Regulated by individual towns.
Rainbow Trout Year Round None 3
Possession limit applies to total trout catch, not to single species.
Razor Clam Year Round None None
 
Red Hake Year Round None None
 
Rock Crab May 1 - Dec 31 None 50
No permit required if pots are not method of capture.
Sand Tiger Year Round 54" 1
Size limit measured from fork in tail.
Sculpin Year Round None None
 
Scup Jan 1 - Oct 6 10" 40
Possession limit cannot exceed 80 fish per vessel.
Sea Raven Year Round None None
 
Sea Robin Year Round None None
 
Sea Scallop Year Round 3-1/2" 1 bushel
Regulated by federal government.
Silver Hake Year Round None None
 
Skate Year Round None None
 
Skipjack Tuna Year Round None None
 
Smelt Jun 16 - Mar 14 None None
Fish must be taken by hook & line only.
Softshell Clam * 2" *
*Regulated by individual towns.
Spider Crab Year Round None 50
No permit required if pots are not method of capture.
Spiny Dogfish Year Round None None
 
Striped Bass Year Round 28" 2
Whole fish must be in possession if close to size limit.
Surf Clam * 5" *
*Regulated by individual towns.
Swordfish Year Round 47" 1
Size limit measured from lower jaw to tail fork.
Tautog Year Round 16" 3
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Thresher Shark Year Round 54" 1
Size limit measured from fork in tail.
Trigger Fish Year Round None None
 
Weakfish Year Round 16" 10
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
White Catfish Year Round None None
 
White Hake Year Round None None
 
White Marlin Year Round 66" None
Size limit measured from lower jaw to tail fork.
White Perch Year Round 8" 25
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
White Shark None N/A N/A
This species is protected under federal law.
Windowpane Year Round 12" None
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Winter Flounder May 1 - Feb 28 12" 8
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
Wolffish Year Round None None
 
Yellowfin Tuna Year Round 27" 3
All limits set at the federal, not state level.
Yellow Perch Year Round None None
 
Yellowtail Flounder Year Round 13" None
Size limit measured as a straight line not curved over the body.
B A C K
2006 South Shore Fishing