Lobster and Crab Regulations by Area

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Recreational Lobster Regulations
Gulf of Maine Recreational Lobster Area
Minimum Size	31/4”
Maximum Size	5”
V-Notched Females – Definitions	“Zero-Tolerance” – Illegal to harvest female with V-shaped notch of any size with or without setal hairs
Trap Limit	10 Traps
Escape Vent	One rectangular vent 115/16” x 53/4” or two circular vents of 27/16” in diameter
Bag Limit	15 per day
Outer Cape Cod Recreational Lobster Area
Minimum Size	33/8”
Maximum Size	—
V-Notched Females – Definitions	Illegal to harvest female with notch or indentation in base of flipper at least 1/4” deep and tapering to sharp point without setal hairs
Trap Limit	10 Traps
Escape Vent	One rectangular vent 2” x 53/4” or two circular vents of 2 5/8” in diameter
Bag Limit	15 per day
Southern New England Recreational Lobster Area
Minimum Size	33/8”
Maximum Size	51/4”
V-Notched Females – Definitions	Illegal to harvest female with notch or indentation in base of flipper at least 1/8” deep and tapering to sharp point with or without setal hairs
Trap Limit	10 Traps
Escape Vent	One rectangular vent 2” x 53/4” or two circular vents of 2 5/8” in diameter
Bag Limit	15 per day

Taking Lobster at Night is Prohibited

Lobster may only be harvested from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

Egg-Bearing Females

It is unlawful to take or possess any egg-bearing female lobster.

It is unlawful to land or possess any lobster:

1. from which eggs have been removed, or…

2. that has come in contact with any substance capable of removing lobster eggs.

Blue Crab

Jonah Crab

Rock Crab

Recreational Crab Regulations
Species	Blue Crab	Other Edible Crabs (excludes Green Crabs)
Minimum Size	5” shell width (spine to spine)	None
Other Regulations	Egg-bearers cannot be taken; 25 crabs/day; no permit required unless using traps or SCUBA; closed season is Jan.1–Apr.30, inclusive	50 crabs total per day (including blue) – other regulations are the same as for blue crab

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