Can I Keep?Striped Bass Regulations in Massachusetts (2026)
Recreational striped bass 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
28" to less than 31"
Bag limit
1 fish
Season
Year Round
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Striped Bass rules in Massachusetts
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 28" to less than 31"
- Bag limit
- 1 fish
- Season
- Year Round
- Striped Bass: Fish are measured from the tip of the snout or jaw with the mouth closed to the farthest extremity of the tail with the tail squeezed. The discard of dead legal sized striped bass is unlawful. The practice of high-grading, whereby legal sized striped bass are released in favor of larger fish caught subsequently is unlawful. Accordingly, it is also unlawful to keep a striped bass alive in water by attaching a line or chain to the fish (stringer), or placing it in a live well or holding car. Striped bass must be kept whole except for gutting, bleeding, and scaling until on shore and all gear is stowed, at which time fish may be filleted. Only two fillets may be in possession of an individual angler and each fillet must have two-square inches of skin intact. An exception is granted for striped bass being prepared for immediate consumption at sea provided all gear is stowed. For-hire operators or crew may fillet striped bass for their patrons at any time during the for-hire trip prior to the patrons departing the vessel, provided: (1) the racks are retained in a manner that does not interfere with species identification or total length measurement until such time as the vessel has docked and all customers from that trip have departed the vessel and the racks may subsequently be disposed of in any legal manner; (2) at least two square inches of skin is left intact and no more than two fillets, representing the equivalent of one fish, may be possessed by each customer. All recreational anglers are required to use inline circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with whole or cut natural baits, except when fishing with a natural bait attached to an artificial lure (e.g., tube and worm).The use non-lethal devices to remove striped bass from the water is required; gaffing striped bass is prohibited.
- Slot limit as printed: 28" to less than 31" (maximum is exclusive).
- For any dates not listed in the "Season" column, the recreational fishery is closed.
- Where
- Federal waters (EEZ) (ocean)
- Federal (EEZ) regulation published by NOAA Fisheries GARFO; Massachusetts state-waters rules may differ.
- Transit with striped bass is permitted in some areas around Block Island, Rhode Island.
- No recreational fishing allowed in federal waters.
Commercial rules
Show 2 commercial rules
- Where
- Boat Based
- Size limit
- 35 in.
- Bag limit
- 15 fish
- Season
- 6/16 - Quota (Tue - Wed Tue - Thu on 8/1 if >30% quota left. Mon - Fri on 10/1)
- Striped Bass: Fishery is hook and line only; netting, spearing, and snagging striped bass is prohibited. No high-grading or filleting striped bass. The commercial striped bass minimum size is 35" and all fish are to be measured in a straight line from the tip of the jaw or snout with the mouth closed to the furthest extremity of the tail with the tail squeezed together. The commercial striped bass fishery opens on the first open fishing day on or after or after June 16; for 2026 this is Tuesday, June 16. Open fishing days will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays to start the season and Thursdays may be added on August 1 should 30% or more of the quota remain available. With consecutive open fishing days, commercial fishers may fish overnight tides spanning two open fishing days provided they do not possess or sell more than one limit during any single calendar day. I f an open fishing day falls on the 3rd or 4th of July, the commercial striped bass fishery will be closed. For 2026, this results in no additional closed fishing days. For boat-based permit holders fishing from the vessel named on the permit, the daily limit is 15-fish; for all other activity it is 2-fish. If the annual quota is not taken by November 15, then the fishery closes on November 16. Commercial fishers may only sell striped bass to primary buyers on open commercial fishing days. Both the primary buyer and the commercial fisher must be present at this transaction. Dropping fish off at an unattended dealer facility is unlawful. Additionally, primary buyers must tag the striped bass upon taking possession of striped bass at primary purchase. Striped bass tags will be distributed to primary buyers in late-May/early-June. The Cape Cod Canal is closed to commercial striped bass fishing. Therefore, all striped bass retained from the Canal or possessed within 1,000 feet of the Canal (unless caught elsewhere and being actively transported to a dealer) must adhere to Massachusetts’ recreational fishing limits. The recreational striped bass fishery is subject to a 1-fish per angler daily bag limit and a slot limit of 28″ to less than 31″.
- '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: Tue - Wed Tue - Thu on 8/1 if >30% quota left. Mon - Fri on 10/1
- DMF commercial regulations tables were updated on July 1, 2026.
- Status 'closed' per DMF notice of 2026-08-04: "2026 Commercial Striped Bass Fishery to Close Effective August 5" (https://www.mass.gov/doc/8426-2026-commercial-striped-bass-fishery-to-close-effective-august-5/download).
- Where
- All Other
- Size limit
- 35 in.
- Bag limit
- 2 fish
- Season
- 6/16 - Quota (Tue - Wed Tue - Thu on 8/1 if >30% quota left. Mon - Fri on 10/1)
- Striped Bass: Fishery is hook and line only; netting, spearing, and snagging striped bass is prohibited. No high-grading or filleting striped bass. The commercial striped bass minimum size is 35" and all fish are to be measured in a straight line from the tip of the jaw or snout with the mouth closed to the furthest extremity of the tail with the tail squeezed together. The commercial striped bass fishery opens on the first open fishing day on or after or after June 16; for 2026 this is Tuesday, June 16. Open fishing days will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays to start the season and Thursdays may be added on August 1 should 30% or more of the quota remain available. With consecutive open fishing days, commercial fishers may fish overnight tides spanning two open fishing days provided they do not possess or sell more than one limit during any single calendar day. I f an open fishing day falls on the 3rd or 4th of July, the commercial striped bass fishery will be closed. For 2026, this results in no additional closed fishing days. For boat-based permit holders fishing from the vessel named on the permit, the daily limit is 15-fish; for all other activity it is 2-fish. If the annual quota is not taken by November 15, then the fishery closes on November 16. Commercial fishers may only sell striped bass to primary buyers on open commercial fishing days. Both the primary buyer and the commercial fisher must be present at this transaction. Dropping fish off at an unattended dealer facility is unlawful. Additionally, primary buyers must tag the striped bass upon taking possession of striped bass at primary purchase. Striped bass tags will be distributed to primary buyers in late-May/early-June. The Cape Cod Canal is closed to commercial striped bass fishing. Therefore, all striped bass retained from the Canal or possessed within 1,000 feet of the Canal (unless caught elsewhere and being actively transported to a dealer) must adhere to Massachusetts’ recreational fishing limits. The recreational striped bass fishery is subject to a 1-fish per angler daily bag limit and a slot limit of 28″ to less than 31″.
- '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: Tue - Wed Tue - Thu on 8/1 if >30% quota left. Mon - Fri on 10/1
- DMF commercial regulations tables were updated on July 1, 2026.
- Status 'closed' per DMF notice of 2026-08-04: "2026 Commercial Striped Bass Fishery to Close Effective August 5" (https://www.mass.gov/doc/8426-2026-commercial-striped-bass-fishery-to-close-effective-august-5/download).
Quick answers
What is the striped bass size limit in Massachusetts?
28" to less than 31" (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many striped bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
1 fish (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is striped bass 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 Striped Bass limits in other states →
More inshore in Massachusetts
All Massachusetts saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a Massachusetts saltwater license or registry: get one here.