Spring
Offshore
Haddock closed in March, reopens after; Cod Spawning Protection Area south of the Isles of Shoals closed April through June
Nearshore
Stripers, no closed season in state waters
New HampshireOffshore Fishing: Ports, Rules and Charters
New Hampshire’s coast is short, with three harbors (Hampton-Seabrook, Rye and Portsmouth) opening onto the Gulf of Maine. This page covers where the grounds sit around the Isles of Shoals and Jeffreys Ledge, what runs by season, and how the rules split at the 3-mile line. It helps you decide where to look and which rules apply; it doesn’t promise fish. The same breakdown exists for other U.S. coasts.
By Breakpoint Team
3Offshore ports
3Stretches of coast
3 NMState waters
The coast
How the coast fishes, south to north
Because the coast is short, every harbor reaches the same three tiers of ground: the Isles of Shoals close in, Jeffreys Ledge farther out, and further-offshore banks beyond.
Hampton-Seabrook Harbor sits in the south, nearest the Massachusetts line. Rye Harbor is in the middle, and the Isles of Shoals lie about 5 to 6 miles offshore of Rye. Portsmouth, New Castle and the Piscataqua River form the north end, with Great Bay upriver.
The Isles of Shoals are the close ground. Ledges surround most of the islands, and the water straddles the Maine line, so Maine waters follow Maine rules. Anderson Ledge uncovers 4 feet, is buoyed, and lies about 1 mile east-southeast of Isles of Shoals Light. A naval target area is centered on Shag Rock off the east side of Duck Island.
Jeffreys Ledge is the main offshore ledge, reached from all three harbors. Tillies Bank is further-offshore ground beyond it. These grounds are part of the wider Gulf of Maine and Northeast run.
Fog is common in the Gulf of Maine. Check the National Weather Service marine forecast and the offshore buoys for wind, wave height and period before you head out.
Chart Contours show the Jeffreys Ledge edges, and OBS SST shows summer temperature breaks. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Ports
3 ports, 3 stretches of coast
Three harbors serve the coast, each with its own entrance and its own run to the grounds. Tap a number on the map, or a stretch below, to zoom in on its ports.
Pick a stretch of coast
1
1 port
South coast: Hampton-Seabrook
Hampton and Seabrook share one harbor at the southern end of the coast, nearest the Massachusetts line.
2
1 port
Middle coast: Rye
Rye Harbor is a small breakwater harbor midway up the coast and the shortest run to the Isles of Shoals.
3
1 port
North coast: Portsmouth and the Piscataqua
Portsmouth, New Castle and the Piscataqua River form the north end, with Great Bay upriver.
Seasons
What runs through the year
What tends to be around each season. Open seasons are covered under Regulations.
Summer
Offshore
Bluefin; blue, thresher and porbeagle sharks; haddock
Nearshore
Mackerel, bluefish, stripers
Fall
Offshore
Bluefin; cod retention window (see GARFO); haddock
Nearshore
Stripers
Winter
Offshore
Haddock (closed in March); pollock open all year
Nearshore
Stripers, no closed season in state waters
Groundfish, bluefin and sharks fill the offshore calendar, while stripers, mackerel and bluefish work the nearshore water.
Groundfish seasons change by season or quota, so check GARFO before every trip.
Seasons tell you which fish are around, and daily water conditions show where to find them
Temperature breaks and color edges shift with wind and current. In Breakpoint, these three layers show those edges and the bottom structure near them.
Clouds block satellite SST passes, so some days show gaps. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Charters and tournaments
Charters, party boats and tournaments
NH Fish and Game defines a charter boat as one that takes 6 passengers or fewer for a set fee. A party boat carries more than 6 and charges per person.
Passengers fishing from a licensed charter or party boat need no state license. Cod and haddock rules can differ for private and for-hire boats, so know which one you are on.
Party and charter boats sail from Hampton-Seabrook and Rye. Charters also run from Portsmouth.
Two tournaments anchor the calendar:
- Granite State Tuna Pro Open – fishes out of Seabrook.
- Striper Cup – a season-long catch-and-release format.
Schedules, fees and entry details come from the organizers, and the On The Water tournament calendar lists current events. Tuna events require the federal HMS permit, and striper events are state-waters fishing. Both sets of rules follow below.
Tournaments in New Hampshire
Regulations
State rules apply out to 3 nautical miles, with federal rules beyond
Full state and federal limits are on our New Hampshire regulations page.
New Hampshire offshore fishing splits at 3 miles: state waters run 3 miles from shore, and federal waters run from 3 to 200 nautical miles. NH Fish and Game Marine Fisheries Division sets state rules, and NOAA Fisheries GARFO sets federal groundfish rules. Where state and federal rules both apply, the more restrictive one governs.
Striped bass show the split clearly. They are legal inside 3 miles and closed beyond it.
3 NMState waters. Federal rules apply beyond the line.
New Hampshire regulations page
State waters (0 to 3 miles)
The NH Fish and Game marine rules cover everything inside the 3-mile line.
- Circle hooks are required with bait for stripers, sharks and bluefish.
- Shortfin mako are closed to possession.
- The striped bass slot is set through ASMFC and changes, so check NH Fish and Game before you fish.
- Isles of Shoals water straddles the Maine line, and Maine waters follow Maine rules.
Federal waters (3 to 200 miles)
GARFO sets groundfish rules beyond 3 miles. Cod, haddock and pollock sizes, bags and seasons change by season or quota, so check the NOAA recreational groundfish rules before every trip.
- Striped bass are closed in federal waters under the federal striped bass closure.
- Private and for-hire rules can differ for cod and haddock.
Licenses and permits
- A NH recreational saltwater license is required at age 16 and older. Fees are on the NH Fish and Game page.
- Passengers on licensed charter and party boats need no license.
- A NH resident’s license covers Maine and Massachusetts tidal waters.
- A nonresident holding a valid Maine or Massachusetts saltwater license is covered in New Hampshire.
- A federal HMS permit is required for tuna and sharks. Apply through the federal HMS permit portal.
- The bluefin daily limit varies under federal rules, so check HMS before each trip.
Closed areas
The Cod Spawning Protection Area, south of the Isles of Shoals, is closed to fishing and to groundfish possession in April, May and June.
- State-waters exception: Rod or line in hand, no more than 1 ounce of artificial weight or a single artificial lure of 1 ounce or less, and all cod released immediately.
- Federal part of the area: No weights or weighted lures.
- Transiting with groundfish caught elsewhere: Remove hooks and bait from the rods, and gut the fish.
FAQ
New Hampshire offshore, answered
Official answers come from the state wildlife agency and NOAA Fisheries. Check them before you go.
Do I need a fishing license on a New Hampshire party boat?
No. Passengers on licensed charter and party boats need no license. Anyone 16 and older fishing on their own needs a NH saltwater license from NH Fish and Game.
What is the difference between a party boat and a charter?
NH Fish and Game defines a charter boat as one carrying 6 passengers or fewer for a set fee. A party boat carries more than 6 passengers and charges per person. Both are licensed by the state.
Can I keep cod in New Hampshire?
It depends on the season, the quota and whether you are on a private or for-hire boat. Check GARFO and NH Fish and Game before you go. Our New Hampshire regulations page points to both agencies.
Do I need an HMS permit for bluefin tuna?
Yes. A federal HMS permit is required for tuna and sharks. Daily limits vary under federal rules, so check HMS before each trip.
Can I fish for striped bass past 3 miles?
No. Striped bass are closed in federal waters and legal only in state waters. Circle hooks are required when you fish with bait.
Which port is closest to the Isles of Shoals?
Rye Harbor. The islands lie about 5 to 6 miles offshore. The Shoals water straddles the Maine line, so Maine waters follow Maine rules.
What is the Cod Spawning Protection Area?
It lies south of the Isles of Shoals and is closed to fishing and groundfish possession from April through June. State waters allow rod or line in hand with 1 ounce or less of artificial weight, and all cod must be released. Groundfish caught elsewhere must be gutted with bait and hooks removed when transiting.
Does my Maine or Massachusetts license work in New Hampshire?
For nonresidents, yes. A valid Maine or Massachusetts saltwater license is covered in New Hampshire. A NH resident’s license covers Maine and Massachusetts tidal waters.
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