Northern Shrimp, Other Invertebrates & Marine Plants
New Hampshire
Saltwater Fishing
Finfish and shellfish are not the only species that can be harvested from New Hampshire waters. The following are other species that can be harvested. Licenses may be required. See table below for details.
| Invertebrates/Marine Plants | |||||
| Species | License Requirement | Season | Minimum Length | Daily Bag Limit | Gear Regulations & Special Rules |
| Clamworms | Recreational: | No closed season | None | 1 quart/day |
|
| Commercial: | No closed season | None | None |
| |
| Horseshoe Crab | Harvest Permit | No closed season | None | 10/day (either taken or in possession) |
|
| Sea Urchins | Personal use: | By Hand or Pot: | 2 inches (longest diameter) | None |
|
| Commercial: | By Hand or Pot: Sled: | 2 inches | None |
| |
| Seaweeds | None | No closed season | None | 3 bushels/day |
|
| Northern Shrimp | Call Marine Fisheries Division for current rules — (603) 868-1095 or see Marine Fishing Rules Fis 607.01 at nh.gov | ||||
Striped Bass Volunteer Angler Survey — Join Us!
Do you like to fish for striped bass in N.H.? Tell N.H. Fish and Game’s Marine Division about your striped bass fishing — and you could win a great prize!
For the Striped Bass Volunteer Angler Survey, anglers are asked to provide information such as amount of time fished and length of fish caught. Completed trip logs may be sent by mail, or an electronic logbook can be filled out online at fishnh.com/surveys/striped-bass.html. Marine fisheries biologists use the results to assess the status of striped bass populations each year.
How do I get started? Contact the Marine Division at Reg3@wildlife.nh.gov or (603) 868-1095 to get your logbook by mail or e-mail. Submit your logs by November 1, for a chance to win a framed print of “Shadow” by Victor E. Young, donated by the Coastal Conservation Association of N.H. and a saltwater rod & reel donated by Kittery Trading Post. Thanks for your help!
Jonah vs. Atlantic Rock Crabs
Jonah crab
(Cancer borealis)
- Front edge of carapace is jagged with undefined “teeth” (Jonah = jagged)
- Local name “Jonah crab”
- Less aggressive when handled
- Larger than rock crabs (carapace width up to 7 inches)
Atlantic rock crab
(Cancer irroratus)
- Front edge of carapace has smooth defined “teeth”
- Local names include “sand” crab or “peekytoe”
- More aggressive when handled
- Smaller than Jonah crabs (carapace width up to 5 inches)
Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration:
75 Years of Restoring, Managing and Researching Fish and Wildlife
Our thanks to hunters, shooters, anglers, boaters and our industry partners! With the purchase of firearms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motorboat fuels, hunters, anglers and manufacturers pay excise taxes that are distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies for approved projects.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joins state fish and wildlife agencies, private industry and the public in a partnership to conserve fish and wildlife resources.
With help from over $150 million in federal aid funding over nearly three quarters of a century, N.H. Fish and Game has been able to:
- Gain knowledge through research
- Manage fish and wildlife populations
- Acquire Wildlife Management Areas
- Improve and protect aquatic habitat
- Restore fish and wildlife populations
- Conduct Hunter and Aquatic Education programs
- Construct, upgrade and maintain more than 140 public access sites for boating and fishing.
Your purchase of hunting and fishing equipment and motorboat fuels supports wildlife and sport fish restoration and boating access facilities.