Can I Keep?Mackerel Regulations in Massachusetts (2026)
Recreational mackerel 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.
Size limit
No Limit
Bag limit
25 fish
Season
Year Round
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Mackerel rules in Massachusetts
- Where
- Private Anglers
- Size limit
- No Limit
- Bag limit
- 25 fish
- Season
- Year Round
- Mackerel: The limit applies as a daily per angler harvest limit and a per angler possession limit while fishing. It does not apply to holding mackerel in a freezer, fish car, holding car, or shore-based bait well.
- For any dates not listed in the "Season" column, the recreational fishery is closed.
- Where
- For-Hire
- Size limit
- No Limit
- Bag limit
- 50 fish
- Season
- Year Round
- Mackerel: The limit applies as a daily per angler harvest limit and a per angler possession limit while fishing. It does not apply to holding mackerel in a freezer, fish car, holding car, or shore-based bait well.
- For any dates not listed in the "Season" column, the recreational fishery is closed.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- State Waters
- Size limit
- no limit
- Bag limit
- 20,000 lb No trip limit for weirs.
- Season
- 5/1 - 4/30 (Sun - Sat)
- Mackerel: The state waters limit for mackerel starts at 20,000 pounds. This limit is then reduced to 5,000 pounds once 1,100 metric tons of the Domestic Annual Harvest remains and is reduced again to 2,000 pounds once 220 metric tons of the Domestic Annual Harvest remains. Federal rules apply beyond state waters and vessels may possess and land mackerel lawfully taken in federal waters in accordance with federal rules.
- Open days: Sun - Sat
- DMF commercial regulations tables were updated on July 1, 2026.
Quick answers
What is the mackerel size limit in Massachusetts?
No Limit (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many mackerel can I keep in Massachusetts?
25 fish (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is mackerel 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.
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
- Bluefish
- Bluntnose sixgill shark
- Bonnethead shark
- Butterfish
- Caribbean reef shark
- Caribbean sharpnose shark
- Dusky shark
All Massachusetts saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a Massachusetts saltwater license or registry: get one here.