Going fishin’? There’s more to it than just hoping for nice weather, finding a good spot and having the right bait.
Get a License
In Massachusetts, anyone 15 and over needs a permit for both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing.
Know Which Fish You Can Catch and if There are Size Limits
Some species are overfished, so keeping them is not permitted. Others have size limits that are set by local fisheries commissions in order to allow anglers to harvest fish while protecting the most fertile fish. This promotes natural population growth and replaces fish harvested throughout the season.
The size limit or “slot” for striped bass has been a hot topic in this region because the slot size was reduced quite a bit in 2023. This was a response to the 2022 fishing season, when the recreational harvest of striped bass nearly doubled along the Atlantic coast. The Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission then changed the regulation so that only fish measuring 28” to less than 31” can be harvested. The ultimate goal is to rebuild the striped bass stock by 2029 and reducing the slot size is an important step toward that.
To find regulations for striped bass and other fish in the sea, check out the Division of Marine Fisheries’ (DMF) Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations and Division of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) Freshwater Fishing Regulations.
Understand the Basics of Safe Catch and Release
For those fish you catch but can’t keep, it’s each angler’s responsibility to know how to safely handle those fish and make sure they stay alive once released.
Before you get on the water, make sure you have the right hooks and gear. When choosing hooks, consider the body of water as well as the species of fish, so de-hooking is safer and less damaging. For example, inline circle hooks are required when fishing for striped bass with whole or cut baits and fishing with a gaff is prohibited. Additional species-specific requirements can be found in the DMF’s Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations and DFW’s Freshwater Fishing Regulations..
Make sure your tackle is strong enough to land your target fish. Using release tools and soft nets will reduce damage and handling time. For striped bass, Keep Fish Wet recommends using extra long nets from the boat.
Once you’ve caught the fish, be sure to handle it with care then release it safely:
- Minimize air exposure – 10 seconds or less
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces and hold fish with wet hands.
- Reduce handling time and hold the fish horizontally to support body weight
- De-hook the fish in the water.
- Before letting the fish go, allow water to move through gills and submerge the fish, facing the current.
Keep Fish Wet is one of a number of valuable resources available online, with videos, photos and more detailed guides to help anglers become more responsible stewards of the fish populations along our coast.
Looking for Places to Fish?
Check out the Fishing section of our Get Outdoors web content.
A few additional resources specific to striped bass: