Fishing in Maine means cold Gulf of Maine water that holds groundfish, striped bass and bluefin tuna. Regulations split at the 3-nautical-mile line, and the species you target decides which rulebook applies. This page names who governs each water, gives the size, bag, season and gear figures, and points you to each agency’s rules page for fishing in Maine.
Maine Fishing Official Government Organizations
State waters run from shore to 3 nautical miles. Maine DMR sets the rules there, and Marine Patrol enforces them. Federal law fixes the boundary at three geographical miles from the coast line. Federal waters run from 3 to 200 nautical miles. NOAA Fisheries GARFO and the New England Fishery Management Council handle groundfish, while the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and ASMFC handle summer flounder, black sea bass, bluefish and mackerel. NOAA Atlantic HMS handles tunas, sharks, billfish and swordfish. Coastal waters in other US states split authority the same way.
Two permits act as gates. Anyone fishing recreationally in Maine saltwater needs the Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry. Tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish need an HMS Angling permit on a private vessel or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit on a for-hire vessel.
- Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) – Sets recreational saltwater rules in state waters and runs the registry; the recreational fisheries line is 207-633-9500.
- Maine Marine Patrol – Enforces DMR rules on the water and can ask to see your registry proof or exemption.
- NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region (GARFO) – Writes and enforces federal recreational rules for groundfish and other northeast species beyond 3 nautical miles.
- New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) – Develops the federal groundfish plans behind cod, haddock, pollock and halibut limits.
- Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) – Develops federal plans for summer flounder, black sea bass, bluefish and Atlantic mackerel.
- Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) – Coordinates interstate management of striped bass, bluefish and other shared species.
- NOAA Atlantic HMS Management Division – Sets permits, size classes and retention limits for tunas, sharks, billfish and swordfish.
- Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) – Governs freshwater fishing, which is a separate rulebook.
- Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry – Register once a year and carry proof of registration or exemption. It costs $1 online or $2 at an IF&W agent. You are exempt if you are under 16, hold a valid Maine freshwater license (not a Lifetime License), are a passenger on a charter or party boat whose captain holds a For-Hire Charter Boat Operator’s License, or are registered in another state or through the National Registry.
Maine Offshore Fishing Regulations by Species
Lengths are total length unless the rule says otherwise. Bluefin uses curved fork length, and sharks use fork length. Selling recreationally caught fish is prohibited. Regulations change, so check the agency page before you fish. The species below cover the Gulf of Maine groundfish and pelagic mix you are likely to meet.
Striped bass
Striped bass may be kept only in state waters and are closed in federal waters. DMR sets the slot under ASMFC management. For tactics, see our striped bass fishing guide.
- LengthIn state waters, a slot of 28 to 31 inches total length, inclusive. Measure from the lower jaw to the tip of the pinched tail. Keep the fish whole with the head on. In federal waters, none may be kept.
- Bag limit1 per person per day, personal use only. A fish killed counts toward the bag.
- SeasonOpen January 1 to December 31. The Kennebec watershed and Saco River are open July 1 to November 30. The Kennebec watershed covers the Kennebec, Sheepscot and Androscoggin rivers and Merrymeeting Bay, inside the Cape Small to Salter Island to Cape Newagen line. There, catch-and-release runs May 1 to June 30 with single-hooked artificial lures only (a single treble hook is allowed) and no marine bait possessed or used. On the Saco, no fishing upstream of the Route 9 / Main Street bridge to Cataract Dam.
- Gear and permitsHook and line only, and no gaffing. No bait with treble hooks. No more than 2 treble hooks per lure or fly. With bait, use non-offset circle hooks only. Tube lures at least 8 inches long with one hook are exempt. Release any fish caught on an unapproved hook at once. Registry required. For-hire crews may fillet dockside if the skin stays on and each customer holds no more than 2 fillets.
Maine DMR striped bass regulations
Atlantic cod
Gulf of Maine cod opens for private boats for 2 months in fall. DMR sets the state rules, and GARFO and NEFMC set the federal rules.
- Length23 inches total length in state and federal waters.
- Bag limit1 per person per day. In federal waters, fillets count as half a fish each. On a trip over 15 hours covering 2 calendar days, 2 days of limit apply.
- SeasonSeptember 1 to October 31 for private recreational vessels. Closed November 1 to August 31. For party and charter boats in federal waters, see the NOAA Amendment 25 page. Southern New England cod: no retention.
- Gear and permitsIn federal waters, one line per angler with other gear stowed. Fillets keep at least 2 square inches of skin. Store cod where it can be inspected. Registry required in state waters.
Haddock
Haddock is closed in March in both state and Gulf of Maine federal waters. The federal figures apply inside the Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area.
- LengthIn state waters, 17 inches. In federal waters, 17 inches inside the Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area and 18 inches outside it.
- Bag limit15 per person per day. Fish may be pooled, and compliance is fish aboard divided by people aboard. Georges Bank haddock has no possession limit.
- SeasonClosed March 1 to 31 and open the rest of the year. Georges Bank is open all year.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required in state waters. See the NOAA Fisheries page for federal gear rules.
NOAA recreational regulations by species
Pollock
Pollock has no minimum in state waters and a 19-inch minimum in federal waters.
- LengthIn state waters, no minimum. In federal waters, 19 inches total length.
- Bag limitNo limit in state or federal waters.
- SeasonOpen all year.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required in state waters.
Federal groundfish rules, 50 CFR 648.89
Atlantic halibut
Halibut is tagged and limited per vessel. State waters allow 5 per year per recreational vessel, and federal waters allow 1 aboard.
- Length41 inches total length in both. In state waters, a head-off fish must measure 32 inches pectoral length, and it stays intact except the head until it reaches the consumer’s property.
- Bag limitIn state waters, 5 per year per recreational vessel and 25 per year per charter vessel. In federal waters, no more than 1 aboard a vessel.
- SeasonIn state waters, sunrise May 18 through sunset June 13, with no halibut fishing or gear in the water on Wednesdays and Thursdays. In federal waters, no closed season.
- Gear and permitsUse 14/0, 15/0 or 16/0 circle hooks only. The limit is 100 hooks per vessel and 100 per person. A tub trawl is allowed, with buoys marked with your name and "Halibut Trawl." Tag every retained fish immediately with a DMR halibut landing tag. No transfer between vessels.
Maine DMR sportfish regulations
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Bluefin requires a federal HMS permit in both state and federal waters. Limits can change in season, and HMS posts the changes. For tactics, see our bluefin tuna fishing guide.
- LengthThe recreational range is 27 to less than 73 inches curved fork length. Fish 73 inches or more are trophy class.
- Bag limitSet per vessel per day or trip by NOAA and adjustable in season. See HMS for current private, charter and headboat limits.
- SeasonThe Gulf of Maine trophy fishery opens and closes by NOAA action. See HMS for the current status.
- Gear and permitsAn HMS Angling permit for private vessels. An HMS Charter/Headboat permit for for-hire vessels. Report each retained or dead-discarded bluefin within 24 hours.
Sharks
Coastal sharks, including shortfin mako, may not be taken in Maine state waters. Federal retention runs through HMS.
- LengthIn state waters, none may be taken. In federal waters, at least 54 inches fork length, with head, tail and fins attached.
- Bag limitIn state waters, none. In federal waters, 1 shark per vessel per trip from the allowed list, which includes blue, common thresher and porbeagle. Shortfin mako retention is set by NOAA, so see HMS. Prohibited sharks may not be kept.
- SeasonSee the HMS landings updates page.
- Gear and permitsAn HMS permit with shark endorsement. Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks. Finning is prohibited in Maine waters.
HMS landings updates
Atlantic mackerel
Mackerel has no size limit. State and federal limits match for private anglers.
- LengthNo minimum.
- Bag limitIn state waters, 25 per person per day, and fish may be pooled. Dealer-bought fish with a receipt and chunked frozen mackerel do not count. In federal waters, 25 per person per trip for private anglers. For-hire vessels with a squid/mackerel/butterfish charter/party permit may keep 50 per person per trip, including crew, when carrying passengers, and 25 when not.
- SeasonSee the DMR page.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required in state waters.
Maine DMR fishing regulations
Bluefish
The bag is 5 fish. ASMFC and MAFMC manage the species, and DMR sets the state rule.
- LengthNo minimum.
- Bag limit5 per person per day.
- SeasonSee the DMR page.
- Gear and permitsNo bait with treble hooks. No more than 2 treble hooks per lure. Any hook used with bait must be a circle hook, per DMR circle hook guidance.
Maine DMR fishing regulations
Black sea bass
Black sea bass has two season windows. You follow the rules of the state where you land.
- Length13 inches total length, not counting the tail filament.
- Bag limit10 per person per day.
- SeasonMay 19 to September 21 and October 18 to December 31, inclusive.
- Gear and permitsHook and line only. Registry required, with no separate license.
Maine DMR fishing regulations
Summer flounder
Federal coastwide measures are waived. Boats in federal waters follow Maine rules when landing in Maine.
- Length20 inches.
- Bag limit2 per person per day.
- SeasonSee the DMR page.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required in state waters.
Maine DMR fishing regulations
Winter flounder
The bag is 8 fish in state waters. Federal waters have no limit.
- Length12 inches in state and federal waters.
- Bag limitIn state waters, 8 per person per day. In federal waters, no possession limit for Gulf of Maine winter flounder.
- SeasonIn federal waters, open all year. In state waters, see the DMR page.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required in state waters.
Federal groundfish rules, 50 CFR 648.89
Redfish and other groundfish
This group covers redfish, monkfish, white hake, American plaice, witch flounder and yellowtail flounder. Most have a size minimum and no bag limit.
- LengthRedfish, 9 inches. Monkfish, 17 inches in state waters. In federal waters: plaice and witch flounder, 14 inches; yellowtail flounder, 13 inches. White hake has no minimum in state waters.
- Bag limitNo limit for any of these.
- SeasonIn federal waters, open all year. In state waters, see the DMR page.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required in state waters.
Federal groundfish rules, 50 CFR 648.89
Spiny dogfish
The limit is 1 per person per day in state waters, for personal use.
- LengthSee the DMR page.
- Bag limit1 per person per day.
- SeasonSee the DMR page.
- Gear and permitsRegistry required.
DMR tuna and shark rules
Prohibited species
Atlantic wolffish, windowpane flounder, ocean pout, Atlantic salmon and sturgeon may not be kept. Release salmon and sturgeon alive and uninjured.
- LengthNo legal size. None may be kept.
- Bag limitNone may be kept. Atlantic wolffish may not be possessed.
- SeasonClosed all year.
- Gear and permitsRelease at once. Wolffish, windowpane flounder and ocean pout rules apply in federal waters, and salmon and sturgeon are protected in all Maine waters.
Maine DMR fishing regulations