03/17/2026
2026 Striped Bass Laws.
Get to know the striped bass recreational regulations! 322 CMR section 6.07 (5) Recreational Management Measures. For purposes of conservation and management of the
resource, the following measures shall apply to recreational fishers who harvest, catch, take or
possess or attempt to harvest, catch, take or possess any striped bass:
(a) Only striped bass measuring at least 28 inches and less than 31 inches in total length
may be retained. Striped bass measuring less than 28 inches or 31 inches or greater in total
length shall be released immediately to the waters from which taken.
(b) Recreational fishers may not:
1. retain more than one striped bass per day; or
2. possess more than one striped bass at any time.
(c) Recreational fishers may not sell, barter or exchange any striped bass.
(d) Recreational fishers may not discard dead striped bass that measure between at least 28
inches, but less than 31 inches in total length.
(e) To prohibit the practice of high-grading as defined in 322 CMR 6.07(2), recreational
fishers may not retain legal-sized striped bass and release said fish in favor of another larger
legal-sized striped bass captured subsequently. Anylegal-sized fish not immediatelyreleased
into the water and held by stringer, live-well or another means shall be considered intent to
high-grade.
(f) Mandatory Use of Circle Hooks. Recreational fishers shall use circle hooks when
fishing for striped bass with whole or cut natural baits. This shall not apply to any artificial
lure. Striped bass caught on any unapproved method of take must be returned to the water
immediately without unnecessary injury.
(g) Processing of Striped Bass by Recreational Fishers. Recreational fishers who retain
striped bass shall keep the head and tail intact and the fish whole until they reach their
domicile or temporary residence, subject to the following exceptions:
1. Recreational fishers may eviscerate, bleed, or descale striped bass of a lawfully
conforming size while on land or while on the waters under the jurisdiction of the
Commonwealth.
2. Recreational fishers may fillet striped bass of a lawfully conforming size on land once
recreational fishing has ceased and all fishing gear is stowed. Not more than two fillets,
representing the equivalent of the one fish recreational retention and possession limit,
shall be possessed by any recreational fisher at any one time. In instances when
recreational fishers comingle their fillets, the total number of fillets will be divided by
the total number of recreational fishers present to determine if no more than two fillets
are possessed by any recreational fisher. Each fillet shall have two square inches of skin
affixed to it and that skin shall remain affixed to the fillet until the recreational fisher
reaches their domicile or temporary residence. Fillets of striped bass may not be
possessed while fishing is occurring or while fishing gear is being stowed.
3. Recreational fishers may fillet striped bass of a lawfully conforming size while on the
waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth for immediate and complete
consumption once recreational fishing has ceased and all fishing gear is stowed.
4. The captain or crew of a for-hire vessel may fillet striped bass of a lawfully
conforming size for their patrons while on the waters under the jurisdiction of the
Commonwealth. All filleting must occur prior to the customers departing the for-hire
vessel. All striped bass carcasses from which fillets are removed during any for-hire trip
are to be retained in a manner that does not interfere with species identification or total
length measurement until such a time as the for-hire trip has ended, the vessel has
322 CMR: DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES
6.07: continued
docked, and all customers from that trip have departed the for-hire vessel. Not more than
two fillets, representing the equivalent of the one striped bass recreational retention and
possession limit, shall be possessed by any for-hire patron at any one time. In instances
when for-hire patrons comingle their fillets, the total number of fillets will be divided by
the total number of for-hire patrons present to determine if no more than two fillets are
possessed by any for-hire patron. Each fillet shall have two square inches of skin affixed
to it and that skin shall remain affixed to the fillet until the for-hire patron reaches their
domicile or temporary residence.
(h) Removal and Release of Striped Bass. When removing striped bass from the water or
releasing striped bass to the water, recreational fishers shall not use a gaff of any type.
