Massachusetts · New England
Massachusetts saltwater fishing forecast
8 bay systems and 953 named spots on the Massachusetts Atlantic coast, with 6 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Rhode Island Sound at 75 for Tautog.
In peak season this week: Tautog.
- Bay systems
- 8
- Named spots
- 953
- Tide stations
- 6
- Species guides
- 13
Bay systems right now · 8
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 10:03 PM EDT. Best window is the rest of today.
ANZ251 · 409 named spots
Top now: Tautog · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 68)
ANZ250 · 2 named spots
Top now: Tautog · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 50)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Massachusetts bay system this hour.
- 75Great
- 66Great
- 64Good
- 58Good
- 57Good
- 55Good
- 55Good
- Atlantic bluefin tuna48Good
Best in Coastal waters east of Ipswich Bay and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Shoulder season - 35Fair
Species guides · 13
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Massachusetts waters.
- TautogTautoga onitis · nearshorePeak season, about 3 more weekspeak
- Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus · pelagicShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Atlantic codGadus morhua · bottomShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- HaddockMelanogrammus aeglefinus · bottomShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagicShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- ScupStenotomus chrysops · nearshoreOff season, about 1 more weekoff
- Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus · bottomOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagic
- Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottom
Regulations and licenses
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with MassDMF Oct 31, 2026.
Anglers need a Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit. It costs the same for residents and non-residents, and anglers 60 and older pay no fee but still need the permit. Non-residents with a valid Connecticut, New Hampshire or Rhode Island saltwater permit are exempt. Permits are sold on MassFishHunt. mass.gov blocks automated requests; links taken from the Division of Marine Fisheries pages.
No reviewed rules are on file for Massachusetts yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.