Massachusetts
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

MassWildlife (freshwater) + MA Division of Marine Fisheries (saltwater permit). Two separate permits. Online via Mass.gov or license agents.

Cost

Resident freshwater annual: $40. Non-resident freshwater annual: $50. Non-resident 3-day freshwater: $23.50. Saltwater permit (MA DMF): $10 (under 60) / free (60+). No combo license — buy both separately.

Validity

Annual (calendar year, Jan 1 – Dec 31)

Available online?

Yes

Massachusetts splits fresh and salt into two permits — MassWildlife runs freshwater licensing ($40 resident), MA DMF runs the saltwater angler permit ($10). There is NO unified license. Online purchases add a $2.75 admin fee + 4.95% convenience fee. Required for ages 15+ (freshwater) / 16+ (saltwater). Residents 70+ fish freshwater free.

Closed seasons

Striped bass (saltwater): open year-round but regulated by slot. Trout: stocked waters open year-round; some C&R sections seasonal. Atlantic salmon: fully protected, no-take.

Catch limits

Striped bass: 1/day, 28" to less than 31" slot (statewide 2026). Largemouth/smallmouth bass: 5/day, 12" min. Trout: 8/day combined, no size min (3/day on some C&R waters). Tautog: 3/day, 16" min, season-limited. Fluke (summer flounder): 5/day, 17" min.

Prohibited methods

Inline circle hooks REQUIRED for striped bass with natural bait (whole or cut). Gaffing striped bass PROHIBITED. Non-lethal fish-handling devices required (lip grippers, landing nets).

Catch & Release

Mandatory for all striped bass outside 28–31" slot. Mandatory for Atlantic salmon + shortnose sturgeon. Encouraged for tautog during short seasons.

Massachusetts is the striped bass capital of the East Coast — Cape Cod Canal hosts legendary blitzes May–October. Quabbin Reservoir (412 billion gallons) holds landlocked Atlantic salmon + lake trout. Martha's Vineyard Derby (September–October) is a flagship surf-casting event.

Best season

Striped bass: May–October (Canal peak June + September). Bluefin tuna: June–October (Stellwagen). Bonito/false albacore Vineyard: August–October. Cod: April–October offshore.

Freshwater

3,000+ lakes + ponds. Quabbin + Wachusett reservoirs are trophy landlocked salmon + lake trout waters. Deerfield + Swift rivers for stocked trout.

Saltwater

1,500 miles of tidal coastline (counting bays + islands). Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Buzzards Bay. Stellwagen Bank (25 miles east of Boston) is the premier tuna + whale water.

Equipment

Goose Hummock (Orleans, Cape Cod — iconic). Red Top Sporting Goods (Buzzards Bay). Bass Pro in Foxborough. Orvis Boston + Cape.

Fishing guides

$600–$900/day Cape Cod Canal striper charter. $1,500–$3,500/day Stellwagen bluefin tuna. $500–$750/day Vineyard/Nantucket surf guide.

Transport

BOS (Boston-Logan), PVD (Providence RI, closer to south coast), HYA (Hyannis for Cape + islands). Ferry to Vineyard + Nantucket. Rental car essential off-Cape.

Safety

Cold Atlantic water year-round — hypothermia risk even in summer. Great white shark sightings off Cape Cod — avoid swimming near seal haul-outs. Ticks + Lyme disease April–October. Hurricane season Jun–Nov.

License fees

$10–$50 depending on permit type + residency; $40 resident freshwater + $10 saltwater

Guide prices

$500–$900 inshore; $1,500–$3,500 offshore tuna

Daily budget

Budget: $100–$150/day. Charter: $600–$3,500/day.