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: None	No closed season	None	1 quart/day	Residents only For personal use only Only handheld tools with handles not to exceed 18 inches
Clamworms	Commercial: Commercial Saltwater License	No closed season	None	None	Only handheld tools with handles not to exceed 18 inches
Horseshoe Crab	Harvest Permit	No closed season	None	10/day (either taken or in possession)	Refer to Coastal Harvest Section (page 19) Reporting required
Sea Urchins	Personal use: None	By Hand or Pot: Oct. 1 – March 15	2 inches (longest diameter)	None	Sublegal sea urchins shall be culled immediately after capture and returned immediately to the sea
Sea Urchins	Commercial: Commercial Saltwater License	By Hand or Pot: Oct. 1 – March 15 Sled: Dec. 15 – March 15	2 inches (longest diameter)	None	Sublegal sea urchins shall be culled immediately after capture and returned immediately to the sea Helpers working under the Commercial Saltwater License shall not take by diving No possession of other marine species including lobsters, finfish or shellfish if taken by sled Gear: Call Marine Fisheries Division for specific gear regulations — (603) 868-1095
Seaweeds	None	No closed season	None	3 bushels/day	Residents or summer residents only May be taken below the high water mark during daylight hours only Do not detach or injure the holdfasts of the seaweed when cutting Owner’s permission is required to take flats-weed or seaweed from saltmarsh or flats No seaweed may be piled below the high water mark to be hauled away Sale is prohibited outside the state
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)