Can I Keep?Bluefish Regulations in Massachusetts (2026)
Recreational bluefish rules in Massachusetts saltwater, as published by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Bluefish rules in Massachusetts
- Where
- Shore and Private Vessel
- Size limit
- No Limit
- Bag limit
- 5 fish
- Season
- Year Round
- For any dates not listed in the "Season" column, the recreational fishery is closed.
- Where
- For-Hire Vessel
- Size limit
- No limit
- Bag limit
- 7 fish
- Season
- Year Round
- For any dates not listed in the "Season" column, the recreational fishery is closed.
- Where
- Federal waters (EEZ) (ocean)
- Size limit
- None
- Bag limit
- Private Anglers: 5 fish per day Party/Charter Anglers: 7 fish per day
- Season
- All year
- Federal (EEZ) regulation published by NOAA Fisheries GARFO; Massachusetts state-waters rules may differ.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 16 in.
- Bag limit
- 5,000 lb.
- Season
- 1/1 - Quota (Sun - Sat)
- 'Quota' in the season column: the fishery runs until DMF closes it when the quota is taken (see Fishery Closure Notices); open/closed status is therefore not computed.
- Open days: Sun - Sat
- DMF commercial regulations tables were updated on July 1, 2026.
Quick answers
What is the bluefish size limit in Massachusetts?
No Limit (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many bluefish can I keep in Massachusetts?
5 fish (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is bluefish season in Massachusetts?
Year Round. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Bluefish limits in other states →
More offshore & pelagic in Massachusetts
- Atlantic angel shark
- Atlantic bonito & false albacore
- Atlantic Herring
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Atlantic sharpnose shark
- Basking shark
- Bigeye sand tiger shark
- Bigeye sixgill shark
- Bigeye thresher shark
- Bignose shark
- Blacknose shark
- Bluntnose sixgill shark
- Bonnethead shark
- Butterfish
- Caribbean reef shark
- Caribbean sharpnose shark
- Dusky shark
- Finetooth shark
All Massachusetts saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a Massachusetts saltwater license or registry: get one here.