Fishing Seasons & Limits

Fishing Seasons & Limits

Species

Open season
(All Dates Inclusive)

Daily Creel Limit

minimum Length1

Trout 2
Lakes, ponds, major rivers 3, 5, 6

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

3

Housatonic River 4

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

1

20″

All other rivers and brooks

Apr. 1 – Sept. 10
Sept. 11 – Mar. 31, 2018

8
3

Lake Trout
Wachusett Reservoir 6

(see note 6)

3

Quabbin 6

(see note 6)

2

18″

Landlocked Salmon 6

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

2

15″

American Shad 7 (Connecticut and Merrimack rivers only, including their tributaries.)

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

3

Chain Pickerel

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

5

15″

Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth, singly or combined):

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

5

12″

Northern Pike

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

1

28″

Tiger Muskellunge

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

1

28″

Walleye

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

5

14″

Smelt 8

Jan. 1 – Feb. 28
May 16 – Dec. 31

All Other Freshwater Species 9

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

Possession of: Sturgeon (all species), American Brook Lamprey, Atlantic (sea-run) Salmon, Bridle Shiner, Burbot, Eastern Silvery Minnow, Lake Chub, Longnose Sucker, and Northern Redbelly Dace is illegal! If caught, release immediately. This means remove hook or cut line and return fish to water immediately — do not pose for photographs, place on a stringer, hold in a net, or delay in any way the immediate return and release of these rare fish to the water!

Reptiles and Amphibians

Species

Open season

Daily bag limit

Possession Limit

Size Limit

For Personal Use
Bullfrog, Green Frog

July 16 – Sept. 30

12

24

none

Snapping Turtle

Jan. 1 – Apr. 30
July 17 – Dec. 31

2

2

12 in.*

For Bait
Bullfrog, Green Frog, Pickerel Frog, Wood Frog

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

10

10

less than
2½ in.**

michael mcstay
Author: michael mcstay

Michael McStay serves as the Senior Editor and CEO of NockedUp, a platform dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts in Massachusetts. An avid fisherman, hunter, and hiker, he has a deep passion for the outdoors and values the importance of sharing knowledge and information related to Massachusetts' natural environment. If you have any thrilling outdoor news to share, or if you would like to provide feedback or suggest story ideas, we encourage you to contact us via text at 339-309-8721 (Join NockedUp Massachusetts Outdoors—it's free and simple! Stay in the loop and never miss another post or update).

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