Fishing seasons and limits
| Species | Open season (all dates inclusive) | minimum length (in inches)1 |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Pickerel | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 | 15 |
| Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth, in any combination): | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 | 12 |
| Northern Pike | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 | 28 |
| Tiger Muskellunge | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 | 28 |
What fish is in season now in Massachusetts?
Recreational finfish regulations
| Species | Note | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Cod* (North of Cape Cod) | (3, 4) | April 1 – Apr 14 Sep 15 – Sep 30 |
| Cod (South of Cape Cod) | (3, 4) | Aug 1 – Apr 30 |
| Dab (plaice) | (3, 4) | All Year |
| Fluke | May 21 – Sep 29 |
What seafood is in season in Boston?
The main fishing season runs between late June and late December when the lobsters are active. Lobsters are also caught in winter and early spring but in smaller numbers. We recommend ordering them during the high season. In Boston, this period falls between mid-May and mid-November.
What fish is in season in the Northeast?
In Season All Year
New England has many species of fish that are considered “in season” all year long. These include: Sea Scallops, Steamers, Oysters, Atlantic Cod, Haddock, Dabs, Atlantic Pollock, Hake, and Monkfish.
What kind of fish do they catch in Boston?
Commonly Caught Species
- Striped Bass. Striped bass is our most sought-after species, providing great sport through catch and release fishing and great eating when you catch a “keeper”.
- Bluefish.
- Black Sea Bass.
- Tautog.
- Scup.
- Weakfish (Squeteague)
- Winter Flounder.
- Mackerel.
Are stripers in Massachusetts yet?
Angling tips
This species is found in Massachusetts from May to November. Fishing at dusk or dawn is the best time to catch them, but fishing at night is often good during midsummer. Fishing with bait or lures from the shore is best in areas where currents occur.
Can you fish in Massachusetts in the winter?
Don’t despair though, there are plenty of opportunities to fly fish in Massachusetts (and close) all winter long – no matter how cold it gets!
Is it lobster season in Boston?
Recreational Regulations
| Recreational Lobster Regulations | |
|---|---|
| All Areas | |
| Season Open | May 16 – November 1 for buoyed traps |
| Trap Limit | With trap endorsement, may fish 10 traps per household. |
| Bag Limit | 15 lobsters per day. Lobsters may be stored and retrieved in excess of this limit, provided fishing activity is not occurring. |
What seafood is Boston known for?
Oysters and Lobsters and Clams, Oh My!
Boston is a city awash in seafood. Fleets of boats trawl for fresh catches right off its shores, while local restaurants lure diners with the promise of lobsters, cod, chowder and oysters.
Is fresh cod in season?
There are two seasons for fresh, wild Black Cod/Sablefish: April – July and Oct- Dec. Works beautifully with all cooking methods: Steamed, Roasted, Braised, pan-sauteed, Fried.
What fish are in season right now in New York State?
Common seasonal fish in New York City include:
- January-April: sea bass, striper, mackerel.
- May-September: albacore, sockeye, chinook, coho and pink salmon, pollock, haddock, sole, whiting.
- October-December: pollock, sole, mackerel.
- Year Round: lingcod, flounder, halibut.
What fish is good in February?
February – It is winter’s richest month for fishes to eat. You can start eating turbot fish this month. Other fishes you can prefer are toric, anchovy, myrtle, mullet, and sea bass.
What fish is popular in New England?
Dozens of species of fish and shellfish are caught in New England’s waters, but only a handful show up in most seafood retailers. You can probably list them: cod, haddock, scallops, clams, lobster. Now, it’s not just anecdotal.
What’s the biggest fish caught in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts freshwater catch & release records
| Species | Length | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 25.00 | White Pond, Concord |
| Northern Pike | 45.50 | Onota Lake, Pittsfield |
| Northern Pike | 45.50 | Onota Lake, Pittfield |
| Rainbow Trout | 27.25 | Swift River, Belchertown |
Can you catch halibut in Massachusetts?
Halibut fishing in Massachusetts doesn’t vary throughout the year. High season is January to December. There is no closed season.
Can you catch red snapper in Massachusetts?
The northern red snapper is found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States and much less commonly northward as far as Massachusetts. This species commonly inhabits waters from 30–200 ft, but can be caught as deep as 300 ft on occasion.
What is the best month for striper fishing?
Striped Bass will start to move into the Red and Washita Rivers to spawn. April can be the best live-bait fishing month, but swimbaits and underspins will catch Striper too. Striper will school up around these river channels to feed, then run upstream to spawn.
Where can I catch a stripper in Boston?
North Shore Hot Spots
The bay, which includes Boston Harbor, is home to some of the best striper hot spots in this part of the state, including Deer Island, Old Harbor Park and numerous public piers and jetties along the Harbor.
What is the best time to go striper fishing?
The best time of day to catch striped bass is early morning from dawn until about 2 hours after sunrise and late afternoon from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives.
Do you need a fishing license in Massachusetts?
Before you cast your line, you need to get a fishing license if you’re age 15 or older. If you are 15 years of age or older, you need a license to fish. Licenses are FREE for Massachusetts residents 15-17 years of age, and those 70 and over. You can get your license online using MassFishHunt.
Is Massachusetts good for fishing?
But, the spectacular ice fishing here makes it a year-round fishing destination. Massachusetts lakes and ponds hold a variety of fish, with an extra portion of smallmouth, largemouth, and striped bass. The largemouth bass freshwater record was set in 1975 with a 15 pound, 8-ounce fish; try and beat that!