Many fishing opportinities in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is home to a wide variety of angling opportunities, which can be appreciated by its residents as well as visiting fishermen. Before planning a fishing trip in the state, however, it is important to have a firm grasp on the state's fishing laws and regulations. A complete guide to fishing laws in Massachusetts is available online and in print form at many bait and tackle shops in the state.
Bait Fish Laws
Golden shiner
In Massachusetts, only American eel, white sucker, creek chubsucker, banded killifish, mummichog, pumpkinseed, golden shiner, emerald shiner, spottail shiner, herring (in Connecticut River, Merrimack River, and coastal rivers and streams only), rainbow smelt, yellow perch, fallfish, bluntnose minnow, and fathead minnow may be used as bait. Any licensed fisherman may take baitfish for personal use. Only white sucker, mummichog, golden shiner, emerald shiner, spottail shiner, fallfish, bluntnose minnow, and fathead minnow may be sold as bait in Massachusetts. These species may be taken for the purpose of sale by resident licensed fishermen with a current and valid shiner permit.
Trout Regulations
Brown trout
Trout regulations vary by water body. In all lakes and ponds and most major rivers (listed on the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game website) a total of three brook, brown, tiger, or rainbow trout may be kept daily, with no length limits, at any time from January 1 to December 31. In other rivers and streams, the daily limit is 3 from September 11 to March 31, and 8 from April 1 to September 10. In special Brown Trout Management Waters of South Pond and Brookfield, only 1 brown trout may be taken daily, with a minimum size of 15 inches.
Other Gamefish Regulations
Northern pike
Black bass (largemouth or smallmouth) have a daily creel (basket) limit of five and minimum length of 12 inches. Five walleye may be taken daily with a minimum length of 14 inches. Northern pike and tiger muskellunge have a daily creel limit of one and length limit of 28 inches. Five chain pickeral of 15 inches or larger may be kept daily. Striped bass may be kept at 28 inches, with a daily limit of two. Landlocked salmon have a daily limit of two and minimum length of 15 inches; Atlantic and broodstock salmon have no restrictions. Smelt can only be kept from May 16 to the last day of February, and sturgeon may not be kept at any time. All other species are open to fishing year-round.
Licenses
Anyone 15 years of age and older must have a license to fish in Massachusetts. As of 2010, annual fishing licenses cost $27.50 for residents, $11.50 for resident minors age 15 to 17, $16.25 for senior citizens age 65 to 69, and are free for seniors over 70. Non-resident annual fishing licenses cost $37.50, or $11.50 for minors. Non-resident 3-day licenses cost $23.50. Licenses are available at most bait shops and sporting goods stores statewide.
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