Species guide · Massachusetts
Haddock fishing in Massachusetts
Melanogrammus aeglefinus, a bottom species also called haddie and scrod. Listed for the New England region. Peak season, about 2 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Boston Harbor at 72, one of 8 Massachusetts bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
New England
Peak season, about 2 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: May to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.
Research notes, New England region
The main Gulf of Maine party-boat fish out of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine ports, caught on the same ledges and banks as cod. In fishing year 2026 Gulf of Maine haddock are open all year except March (15 fish, 17 inches); outside the Gulf of Maine regulated mesh area retention is unlimited at 18 inches. Winter catch depends on the few fishable weather days.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 8
Massachusetts bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's haddock score this hour.
Best window today 8-9 PM (72) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 6 AM (74) · 122 named spots
Best window today 8-9 PM (72) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (75) · 409 named spots
Best window today 8-10 PM (70) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 6 AM (73) · 44 named spots
Best window today 8-10 PM (69) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 7 AM (73) · 158 named spots
Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (66) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 8 AM (72) · 151 named spots
Best window today 8-9 PM (66) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 6 PM (69) · 2 named spots
Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (67) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 9 AM (72) · 27 named spots
Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (68) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (76) · 40 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 35°F to 54°F, best between 38°F and 47°F.
- Water depth
- 100 to 450 ft of water.
- Structure
- Bank, ledge, shoal and wreck, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Same drift fishing as cod: a light current lets small baits stay on the bottom. Strong tides and wind against current push lines off bottom in deep water.
- Light
- Little tied to dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Haddock feed on gravel, sand and clay bottom along the edges of banks and ledges, mostly in 120 to 400 feet. They have small, soft mouths, so fish clam or squid on small hooks on a high-low rig, or a light jig with teasers, right on the bottom. Set the hook gently and keep steady pressure on the way up.
- Methods
- bait fishing, jigging, drift fishing
- Lures
- small diamond jigs, teaser flies, small soft plastic grubs
- Bait
- sea clams, skimmer clams, squid, herring
Regulations
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with MassDMF Sep 16, 2026.
No reviewed haddock rule for Massachusetts is on file yet. Check with MassDMF before you keep one.