Can I Keep?Bluefish Regulations in New Hampshire (2026)
Recreational bluefish rules in New Hampshire saltwater, as published by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Marine Division. 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 New Hampshire
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- (a) No person shall take by angling from the waters of the state, or possess while on or leaving the waters of the state, more than 5 bluefish in one day, with the exception that a person angling from a licensed saltwater for hire fishing vessel may take or possess 7 bluefish per day.
- (c) Any person taking bluefish with bait from the waters of the state by angling shall only use corrodible non-offset circle hooks, meaning a hook where the point and barb are turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a circular shape. When such a hook is laid on a flat surface, all parts of the hook lie flat on the surface.
- (b) From October 1 through June 30 no person shall take by any method from the waters of the state, or possess while on or leaving the waters of the state, bluefish for the purpose of sale.
- Where
- Anglers on a licensed saltwater for hire fishing vessel
- Bag limit
- (a) No person shall take by angling from the waters of the state, or possess while on or leaving the waters of the state, more than 5 bluefish in one day, with the exception that a person angling from a licensed saltwater for hire fishing vessel may take or possess 7 bluefish per day.
- (c) Any person taking bluefish with bait from the waters of the state by angling shall only use corrodible non-offset circle hooks, meaning a hook where the point and barb are turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a circular shape. When such a hook is laid on a flat surface, all parts of the hook lie flat on the surface.
- (b) From October 1 through June 30 no person shall take by any method from the waters of the state, or possess while on or leaving the waters of the state, bluefish for the purpose of sale.
Quick answers
How many bluefish can I keep in New Hampshire?
(a) No person shall take by angling from the waters of the state, or possess while on or leaving the waters of the state, more than 5 bluefish in one day, with the exception that a person angling from a licensed saltwater for hire fishing vessel may take or possess 7 bluefish per day. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
Compare Bluefish limits in other states →
More offshore & pelagic in New Hampshire
- Atlantic angel shark
- Atlantic bluefin tuna
- Atlantic mackerel
- Atlantic menhaden
- Atlantic shortfin mako shark
- Basking shark
- Bigeye sand tiger shark
- Bigeye sixgill shark
- Bigeye thresher shark
- Bignose shark
- Blue marlin
- Bluntnose sixgill shark
- Caribbean sharpnose shark
- Dusky shark
- Galapagos shark
- Longbill spearfish
- Longfin mako shark
- Narrowtooth shark
All New Hampshire saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Marine Division. Most anglers need a New Hampshire saltwater license or registry: get one here.