Massachusetts offers exceptional fishing diversity — from world-class striped bass and bluefin tuna on the coast to stocked trout in hundreds of inland waters. But the regulations are complex, with separate rules for freshwater and saltwater, managed by two different agencies. This guide consolidates everything you need to know for 2026.
Sources: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) for freshwater; Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) for saltwater. Updated for 2026 season.
License Requirements at a Glance
Freshwater Fishing (MassWildlife)
License Type
2026 Cost
Resident Annual (18–64)
$40.00
Non-Resident Annual
$50.00
Resident 3-Day
$20.00
Non-Resident 3-Day
$30.50
Resident Senior (65–69)
$20.00
Resident 70+
Free
Resident Minor (15–17)
Free
Non-Resident Minor (15–17)
$8.00
Quabbin Reservoir 1-Day
$5.00
A $5.00 Wildlands Conservation Stamp is added to the first resident license purchased each year and all non-resident licenses.
Saltwater Fishing (DMF)
Permit Type
Cost
Saltwater Fishing Permit (under 60)
$10.00
Saltwater Fishing Permit (60+)
Free
Charter/Party Boat Passengers
Covered by vessel permit
Important: There is no single license that covers both freshwater and saltwater fishing in Massachusetts. You need separate licenses.
2026 Saltwater Fishing Regulations
Striped Bass
Rule
Details
Slot Limit
28 inches to less than 31 inches
Daily Limit
1 fish per angler
Hook Requirement
Inline circle hooks required when using whole or cut natural bait
Measurement
Pinch tail together to confirm legal size
Season
Open year-round
Major change: Massachusetts uses a strict slot limit for striped bass — you must release fish under 28″ AND over 31″. Measure carefully.
Bluefish
Rule
Details
Size Limit
None
Daily Limit
3 fish (private boat/shore) / 5 fish (for-hire)
Season
Open year-round
Black Sea Bass
Rule
Details
Minimum Size
16.5 inches
Daily Limit
4 fish
Season
May 17 – September 1
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Rule
Details
Minimum Size (vessel)
17.5 inches
Minimum Size (shore)
16.5 inches
Daily Limit
5 fish
Season
May – September (check DMF for exact dates)
Scup (Porgy)
Rule
Details
Minimum Size (private vessel)
11 inches
Minimum Size (shore)
9.5 inches
Daily Limit
30 fish
Season
May 1 – December 31
Tautog (Blackfish)
Rule
Details
Minimum Size
16 inches
Season Limits
3 fish (Apr–May), 1 fish (Jun–Jul), 3 fish (Aug–Oct 14), 5 fish (Oct 15–Dec 31)
Vessel Maximum
10 tautog per vessel per day
Atlantic Cod
Rule
Details
Southern New England
Closed to recreational fishing
Gulf of Maine
Subject to federal limits — check NOAA for current rules
Other Saltwater Species
Species
Min. Size
Daily Limit
Atlantic Bonito
16″
5 (combined with false albacore)
False Albacore
16″
5 (combined with bonito)
Weakfish
16″
1
White Perch
8″
25
American Eel
9″
25
Winter Flounder (GOM)
12″
8
Winter Flounder (SNE)
12″
2
Shore-Based Shark Fishing
New regulations restrict shore-based shark fishing:
Prohibited in designated swimming areas
Leader length and hook gap restrictions apply
Chumming banned from sunrise to sunset when shark fishing from shore
2026 Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Trout
Rule
Details
Daily Limit (Apr 1 – Sep 10)
Up to 8 trout total, max 3 from lakes/ponds/major rivers
Daily Limit (Sep 11 – Mar 31)
3 trout
Species
Brook, brown, rainbow, tiger trout
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass
Rule
Details
Minimum Size
12 inches
Daily Limit
5 fish
Season
Open year-round (catch-and-release Jan 1 – Jun 15 on many waters)
Chain Pickerel
Rule
Details
Minimum Size
15 inches
Daily Limit
5 fish
Northern Pike
Rule
Details
Minimum Size
28 inches
Daily Limit
2 fish
Panfish (Sunfish, Perch, Crappie)
Rule
Details
Size Limit
None
Daily Limit
Varies — typically generous
Fishing Gear Regulations
Regulation
Freshwater
Saltwater
Rods Allowed
2 rods
2 rods (unless on a party boat)
Circle Hook Requirement
No
Yes — for striped bass with natural bait
Barbless Hooks
Required in catch-and-release areas
Not required
Live Bait Restrictions
No live herring as bait
Applicable species restrictions
Who Fishes Free?
Group
Freshwater
Saltwater
Children under 15
❌ Free
❌ Free (under 16)
Residents 15–17
❌ Free
$10.00
Residents 70+
❌ Free
❌ Free (60+)
Residents with qualifying disabilities
❌ Free
Per DMF rules
Free Fishing Weekend
❌ Free
Saltwater rules apply separately
Massachusetts Free Fishing Weekend 2026
MassWildlife typically hosts a free freshwater fishing weekend in early June. Expected 2026 dates: first weekend of June (check mass.gov/masswildlife for official confirmation).
During the free weekend:
No freshwater fishing license required
All size limits, bag limits, and seasons remain in effect
Saltwater permit may still be required — check DMF rules
Where to Fish in Massachusetts
Top Saltwater Spots
Location
Key Species
Cape Cod Canal
Striped bass, bluefish, tautog
Martha’s Vineyard
Striped bass, bonito, false albacore
Stellwagen Bank (offshore)
Bluefin tuna, cod, haddock
Buzzards Bay
Striped bass, scup, fluke
Boston Harbor
Striped bass, winter flounder
Top Freshwater Spots
Water
Location
Key Species
Quabbin Reservoir
Central MA
Lake trout, smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon
Wachusett Reservoir
Central MA
Lake trout, smallmouth bass
Cape Cod Ponds
Cape Cod
Largemouth bass, chain pickerel, trout
Connecticut River
Western MA
Smallmouth bass, shad, pike
Otis Reservoir
Berkshires
Walleye, bass, trout
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a freshwater fishing license (MassWildlife) and a separate saltwater fishing permit (DMF). No single license covers both.
What is the striped bass slot limit in Massachusetts?
You may keep 1 striped bass per day that measures between 28 inches and less than 31 inches. Fish outside this slot must be released. Inline circle hooks are required when using natural bait.
Are Massachusetts fishing licenses free for seniors?
Freshwater: free for residents 70+, half-price for 65–69. Saltwater: free for anglers 60+.
Is cod fishing open in Massachusetts?
Recreational cod fishing is closed in Southern New England. Gulf of Maine cod fishing is subject to strict federal limits — check current NOAA regulations before fishing.
What are the Massachusetts trout limits?
Up to 8 trout per day from April 1 – September 10 (max 3 from lakes/ponds), and 3 trout per day from September 11 – March 31.
