Your Massachusetts recreational saltwater permit allows you to fish in state and federal waters. However, if you fish for tuna, billfish, swordfish, and/or sharks, you will need a Highly Migratory Species permit from NOAA Fisheries.
Can you fish in Massachusetts without a license?
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.
What happens if you fish without a license in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts. State law in Massachusetts enforces fines from $50 to $100, or can even lead up to a 30-day jail time. You could also pay a penalty of $5 per fish and $2,000 for an endangered fish species.
Can I use my CT fishing license in Massachusetts?
CT residents holding a valid Marine Waters Fishing License for CT may also fish in the marine district of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York.
How much is a fishing license in Massachusetts?
Freshwater fishing license fees
| License Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Resident Fishing1 | $26.00 |
| Resident Minor Fishing (Citizen, Age 15–17)1 | FREE |
| Resident Fishing (Citizen, Age 65–69)1 | $13.00 |
| Resident Fishing (Citizen, Age 70 or over) Or paraplegic, blind, intellectually disabled2 | FREE |
How much is a tuna license in Massachusetts?
You can buy your saltwater fishing permit by accessing the MassFishHunt portal. The website will walk you through getting your permit. When you purchase a $10 permit online, there’s an additional $1.68 fee, including for free permits ($1.45 administrative handling and a $0.23 convenience fee).
Can I get a fishing license at Walmart in Massachusetts?
Yes, you can buy a perfectly legal fishing license from any US-based Walmart by speaking to the staff in the Sports & Outdoors section. Expect to pay between $11 and $40, depending on the state, your age, and how long the license will be valid for.
Can you fish with corn in Massachusetts?
All fish caught must be released. Fishing allowed with artificial lures only. The use of natural or artificial baits such as worms, shiners or other live bait, cheese, corn, or salmon or other fish eggs is prohibited.
Can you fish at night in Massachusetts?
There are no particular night fishing laws for freshwater fishing in Massachusetts.
How many fish can you keep in Massachusetts?
Total daily limit is 3 trout, only 1 may be a brown trout and it must be at least 15 inches.
Fishing seasons and limits.
| Species | Lakes, ponds, major rivers 3, 5, 6 |
|---|---|
| Open season (all dates inclusive) | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| Number of fish you can keep per day (daily creel limit) | 3 |
| minimum length (in inches)1 | — |
Does Massachusetts have a one day fishing license?
A Quabbin 1-day fishing license is $5. Saltwater permits are $10 for anglers under 60 and free for those 60 and over. There may be additional administrative fees depending on where you purchase your license. Online transactions have an additional administrative fee of $1.45 per license plus a 2% convenience fee.
Can I fish in New Hampshire with a Massachusetts fishing license?
No. By State law, NH residents cannot fish in New Hampshire using a Massachusetts saltwater license or Maine saltwater license, registry or endorsement. NH residents must have a New Hampshire Recreational Saltwater Fishing License to fish coastal or estuarine waters in New Hampshire.
Can you fish in Massachusetts with a Rhode Island license?
Other state waters: The RI license also applies in the state waters of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and New York, as well as in the waters of all other states that honor RI’s license.
Do you need a license for catch and release in Massachusetts?
Yes, all anglers 16 and older must have an individual permit.
Where do you buy fishing license in Massachusetts?
Use MassFishHunt to purchase and print fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses, permits, and stamps.
How do I get a fishing license in MA?
In person +
You can also buy your freshwater fishing license in person at license agent locations, which include: Select retail stores — Most stores can accept cash, checks, and credit cards. MassWildlife offices — These offices can only accept cash or checks.
Can you keep bluefin tuna in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts bag limits for bluefin tuna are managed federally by NOAA and are restricted to 2-3 bluefin between 27” – 47” per boat per day and 1 tuna between 47” -73” per boat per day.
Can you fish for tuna in Massachusetts?
Since the late 1940s, Massachusetts has been one of the top states for commercial landings of bluefin tuna. Commercial fishermen are not allowed to use longlines to target bluefin tuna. Yet strict regulations allow for a limited number of bluefin tuna caught by accident to be kept.
How many tuna can you catch a day 2022?
NOAA Fisheries reminds General category participants that when the fishery reopens January 1, 2022, the daily retention limit will be one large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73” or greater) per vessel per day/trip.
How long is a MA fishing license good for?
Year-long freshwater licenses cost $27.50 for residents and $37.50 for non-residents. For more information, please visit www.ma.wildlifelicense.com. Freshwater fishing licenses become due each year on March 1. Until that time the previous year’s license remains valid.
What is a wildlands stamp Massachusetts?
Revenue from the “Wildlands Stamp,” as it is commonly called, goes to the Wildlands Fund which pays for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Lands purchased with this revenue are open to fishing, hunting, trapping and other passive wildlife related recreation.