Silver Hake/Whiting Regulations in Maine (2026)

Where

Statewide

Bag limit

Possession restrictions. The owner or operator of a vessel participating in the GRFT federal exempted Whiting fishery with a Whiting endorsement from DMR may not possess on board, or land any species of fish, other than a maximum of 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) of Whiting; except for the following incidental species in accordance with 50 CFR §648.80(a)(16)(i)(A): Offshore Hake, Red Hake; Butterfish; Herring; Mackerel; Squid; and Alewife.

Season

It shall be unlawful for any person to take, harvest, or fish for Whiting in Maine’s territorial waters by any method from December 1st through June 30th.

• No person may take, harvest or fish for Whiting using any grate raised footrope trawl (GRFT) net in Maine’s territorial waters.
• Coastal waters gear restrictions. It shall be unlawful to possess aboard a vessel any grate raised footrope trawl (GRFT) net, which has net mesh less than 6.5 inches or cod end mesh which measures less than 2.5-inches. GRFT nets used to fish for or take whiting must comply with the federal regulations specified under 50 CFR §648.80(a)(16). For cod ends comprised of square mesh, measurements shall be taken from within the first 100 bars, counting from the terminus of the net, for vessels greater than 45 feet in length overall, and taken from within the first 50 bars, counting from the terminus of the net, for vessels 45 feet or less in length overall. For cod ends comprised of diamond mesh, measurements shall be taken from within the first 50 meshes, counting from the terminus of the net, for vessels greater than 45 feet in length overall and taken from within the first 25 meshes for vessels 45 feet or less in length overall.
• Exemption. A person participating in the northern shrimp fishery may retain Whiting taken as by-catch less than or equal to the amount of shrimp on board, but not to exceed 3,500 pounds. These persons must possess a Commercial Northern Shrimp license issued in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §6804; as well as, a Commercial Pelagic and Anadromous Fishing License in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §6502-A with a Whiting endorsement pursuant to Chapter 34.08(3).
• Whiting endorsement required. In order to obtain a Whiting endorsement, GRFT federal exempted Whiting fishery participants must contact the Department of Marine Resources for a gear inspection. Upon satisfactory completion of the gear inspection, the Whiting endorsement will be affixed or applied to the license holder’s Maine Commercial Pelagic and Anadromous Fishing License by DMR personnel. The endorsement shall be subject to continued compliance with the gear apparatus and DMR reporting requirements.

Official source