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 Boston Harbor at 83 for Striped bass.
In peak season this week: Atlantic bluefin tuna, Atlantic cod, Black sea bass, Bluefish, Haddock and Little tunny and 3 more.
- Bay systems
- 8
- Named spots
- 953
- Tide stations
- 6
- Species guides
- 13
Bay systems right now · 8
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 7:00 PM EDT. Best window is the rest of today.
ANZ251 · 409 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 8-10 PM (peak 83)
ANZ250 · 2 named spots
Top now: Little tunny · Best window 8-10 PM (peak 74)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Massachusetts bay system this hour.
- 83Great
- 79Great
- 78Great
- 77Great
- 76Great
- 75Great
- 72Great
- 69Great
- 67Great
Species guides · 13
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Massachusetts waters.
- Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus · pelagicPeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- Atlantic codGadus morhua · bottomPeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- HaddockMelanogrammus aeglefinus · bottomPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagicPeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- ScupStenotomus chrysops · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runPeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagicShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottomShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- TautogTautoga onitis · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus · bottomOff season, about 10 more weeksoff
Regulations and licenses
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with MassDMF Sep 16, 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.