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Massachusetts

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

Massachusetts › Fishing › Saltwater Fishing › Commonly Caught Species

Commonly Caught Species

Striped Bass

Illustration of a striped bass, a popular saltwater game fish in Massachusetts known for its dark horizontal stripes and strong fighting ability.
The striped bass is one of Massachusetts’ most popular saltwater game fish, recognized by its bold horizontal stripes and prized for its strong fight.

Striped bass is our most sought-after species, providing great sport through catch and release fishing and great eating when you catch a “keeper”. Striped bass is one of the largest fish available to the nearshore angler. Fish range from 1 pound to over 60 pounds.

Location: Whole coast surf, inshore bars, reefs, tide-rips, bays, and estuaries.

Season: Mid April-October

Baits and Lures: Seaworms, eels, squid, herring; jigs, plugs, spinners, spoons.

Methods and Tackle: Casting from shore, boat-trolling; light to heavy tackle.

Bluefish

Illustration of a bluefish, a powerful saltwater game fish found in Massachusetts waters, known for its aggressive feeding behavior and sharp teeth.
Bluefish are a common saltwater game fish in Massachusetts, known for their aggressive strikes, strong fight, and razor-sharp teeth.

Bluefish are usually ravenous and will strike at just about anything you give them. Watch out for those teeth! They average around 3-7 pounds along the coast and tend to be larger just offshore in the rips. The juveniles, referred to as “snappers,” can be found in the estuaries and are fun to catch with light tackle. In all cases, they put up an excellent fight all the way to your boat or shore.

Location: Whole coast surf, inshore bars, tide rips, bays, and estuaries.

Season: June-mid October

Baits and Lures: All small bait fish, jigs, spoons, plugs, spinners, flies.

Methods and Tackle: Casting from shore or boat (you may want to use a wire leader) with spin and fly fishing gear, trolling.

Black Sea Bass

Illustration of a black sea bass, a popular bottom-dwelling saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, known for its dark coloration, spiny dorsal fin, and excellent table quality.
Black sea bass are a prized bottom-dwelling fish in Massachusetts, known for their striking appearance, spiny fins, and delicious, flaky white meat.

The migratory black sea bass is a tasty fish arriving in our near shore waters in the late spring. These fish also have a peculiar life cycle — the majority begin life as females and then change to males at around three years of age.

Location: South side of Cape Cod, Buzzards Bay to Rhode Island border and a few are found in Cape Cod Bay. Fish for them around bottom structure such as reefs, rocks, and wrecks.

Season: May-September

Baits and Lures: Cut squid, clams, green crabs.

Methods and Tackle: Bottom fish from a boat.

Scup

Illustration of a scup, a common saltwater fish in Massachusetts waters, recognized by its deep, laterally compressed body and sharp dorsal spines. Popular among recreational anglers for its abundance and mild flavor.
Scup are a popular saltwater catch in Massachusetts, known for their round body, sharp spines, and tasty, mild-flavored fillets perfect for pan-frying.

A party boat staple, scup are easy and fun to catch. Scup are very good eating though be careful of the many bones.

Location: South side of Cape Cod and along coast to Rhode Island

Season: May-October

Baits and Lures: Clams, strips of squid, seaworms.

Methods and Tackle: Light- to medium-weight tackle, drift-fishing, jetties, piers, bridges.

Tautog

Illustration of a tautog, a stout-bodied saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, known for its mottled coloring, strong jaws, and preference for rocky habitats.
Tautog, also known as blackfish, are a favorite among Massachusetts anglers for their tough fight, strong jaws, and habitat around rocky bottoms and wrecks.

“Tog”, “white chin” and “black fish” are all common nicknames for this fish. Tautog are very slow growing compared to most fish and do not migrate far from where they originate but move inshore in the spring and offshore in the winter.

Location: Whole coast, rocky bottoms inshore, bays, harbors, jetties, breakwaters.

Season: April-November

Baits and Lures: Crabs, clams, all shellfish.

Methods and Tackle: Still-fishing from boat or shore, medium action spinning or conventional rod, 20-30 lb test line.

Weakfish (Squeteague)

Illustration of a weakfish, a slender saltwater fish found in Massachusetts waters, recognized by its silvery body with dark speckles and yellowish fins.
Weakfish are a sleek, speckled species found in Massachusetts saltwater, known for their delicate flesh, subtle fight, and seasonal inshore appearances.

The weakfish looks like a large trout and is found in Massachusetts waters during the summer months. Often found feeding alongside striped bass.

Location: Southern Massachusetts sandbars, deep water drop offs, channels, bays and estuaries

Season: Late June-September

Baits and Lures: Shrimp, seaworms, tinker mackerel, eels, strips of squid; artificial lures (bright plastic shrimp, worms, bucktails, tubes, jigs, sand eel imitations)

Methods and Tackle: Still-fishing, drifting, chumming, casting from shore or boat, trolling; light to medium tackle.

Winter Flounder

Illustration of a winter flounder, a flat, bottom-dwelling saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, known for its dark mottled coloring and both eyes on one side of its body.
Winter flounder are bottom-dwelling flatfish commonly found in Massachusetts waters, known for their mottled brown color and excellent eating quality.

The winter flounder (black back) provides good fishing during the cold weather months. They are very accessible and provide the angler with thick fillets to take home.

Location: Whole coast, tidal streams, shallow bays, estuaries.

Season: May-February

Baits and Lures: Sandworms, bloodworms, clams, strips of squid.

Methods and Tackle: Chum pot (crushed clams), still-fishing from boats, piers, jetties, bridges, breakwaters; light tackle

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Illustration of a summer flounder, also known as fluke, a flatfish found in Massachusetts waters with both eyes on one side and distinctive dark spots on its body.
Summer flounder, also known as fluke, are a popular flatfish in Massachusetts, recognized by their eye placement and dark body spots used for camouflage.

Fighting ability and fine flavor highlight this flatfish. The upper surface of the summer flounder head faces left. They also have prominent teeth to assist with their aggressive predatory behavior. Larger fluke are referred to as “doormats”. Target sandy or muddy bottom along with fast moving rips that contain debris and bait fish.

Location: South side of Cape Cod, Islands, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay.

Season: May-September

Baits and Lures: Minnows, squid strips, clams, shrimp; spinners, jigs.

Methods and Tackle: Drift-fishing, troll, chum, still fish, casting.

Mackerel

Illustration of an Atlantic mackerel, a fast-swimming saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, known for its iridescent blue-green back, wavy black stripes, and forked tail.
Atlantic mackerel are abundant in Massachusetts waters, easily recognized by their iridescent green-blue backs and bold, wavy black stripes.

Mackerel are fast swimmers and voracious feeders, which offers the angler many options for catching them. They are also an important food fish for many other species of fish and marine mammals.

Location: Whole coast, deep water to shallow bays, beaches, jetties, canal, bridges.

Season: May-September

Baits and Lures: Small bait fish, crab, clams, seaworms, squid strips, jigs, spoons, flies.

Methods and Tackle: Trolling, jigging, casting from shore or boat: light tackle.

Tunas: Bluefin (top) and Yellowfin (below)

Illustration of a bluefin tuna, a large, powerful saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, known for its streamlined body, metallic blue back, and high value as a game and commercial species.
Bluefin tuna are prized by Massachusetts anglers for their speed, strength, and size, featuring a streamlined body and a deep blue back with silver sides.
Illustration of a yellowfin tuna, a sleek saltwater game fish found in offshore Massachusetts waters, known for its bright yellow fins and streamlined body.
Yellowfin tuna are a prized offshore catch in Massachusetts, easily recognized by their long, bright yellow fins and fast, powerful swimming ability.

All the tunas are very swift swimmers, provide a thrilling and sometimes backbreaking fight and are literally hot blooded. The giant bluefin tuna is the biggest and most lucrative of the tunas in our waters and thus creates much competition amongst fishermen. Yellowfin are commonly caught in near offshore waters as are albacore.

Location: Offshore east of North Shore, Cape Cod Bay, East of Cape Cod, South of Islands, offshore in Canyons

Season: Late June-October

Baits and Lures: Bait fish used with chum slick; plastic squids, multi-squid rigs, daisy chains, jigs, artificial lures

Methods and Tackle: Trolling, chunk baits with chum; medium to heavy tackle

Bonito

Illustration of an Atlantic bonito, a fast-swimming saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, recognized by its streamlined body and distinct diagonal stripes on the back.
Atlantic bonito are speedy saltwater fish found in Massachusetts waters, easily identified by their sleek body and bold, slanted stripes along the back.

Sharpen your reflexes because these small tunas are fast and fun to catch. Watch for feeding schools where there will be jumpers. For a quick identification, look for dark bands running the length of the fish above the lateral line and a silvery belly.

Location: Southern Cape Cod and the Islands, rarely north of Cape Cod.

Season: Late July-October

Baits and Lures: Strip baits, squid, small jigs, spoons, plugs, flies.

Methods and Tackle: Spinning gear, bait casting, light boat rods, trolling, fly fishing.

False Albacore (Little Tunny)

Illustration of a false albacore, a fast and powerful saltwater game fish found in Massachusetts, identified by its streamlined body, wavy markings on the back, and dark spots near the tail.
False albacore are speedy, hard-fighting game fish in Massachusetts waters, easily recognized by their wavy back markings and dark spots near the tail.

False albacore are very similar to bonito — fast, fun and sometimes a bit tricky to catch. However, unlike bonito, they make poor table fare.

Location: Mostly warmer waters of the south side of Cape Cod and the Islands.

Season: Late July-October

Baits and Lures: Same as for bonito

Methods and Tackle: Same as for bonito

Cod

Illustration of an Atlantic cod, a bottom-dwelling saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, identified by its speckled brown body, three dorsal fins, and distinctive chin barbel.
Atlantic cod are a classic New England bottom fish, easily recognized by their speckled brown body, three dorsal fins, and signature chin barbel.

Cod are the deepwater treasures of Massachusetts.

Location: Whole coast, deepwater, inshore while water is cold.

Season: Year round.

Baits and Lures: Sea worms, clams, mackerel, strips of all fish, crabs, jigs.

Methods and Tackle: Bait-fishing from shore and boats, fishing from boats using medium to stiff boat rod, conventional reel and at least 50 lb. test line.

Haddock

Illustration of a haddock, a cold-water bottom fish found in Massachusetts, identified by its silvery body, dark lateral line, and distinctive black spot above the pectoral fin.
Haddock are a popular cold-water species in Massachusetts, known for their silver bodies, dark lateral line, and signature black “thumbprint” spot above the fin.

Haddock is a member of the cod family and is a delicious fish for the dinner table. The black lateral line distinguishes it from the cod and pollock.

Location: Whole coast, cool waters, prefer depths of 140-450 ft., also prefers shell/sand, smooth rock, or gravel bottom.

Season: May-November

Baits and Lures: Seaworms, clams

Methods and Tackle: Still-fishing from a boat, medium action rod

Pollock

Illustration of a pollock, a schooling saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, featuring a sleek dark back, silvery sides, three dorsal fins, and a small chin barbel.
Pollock are fast-swimming saltwater fish found in Massachusetts, known for their dark backs, silvery sides, and mild, flaky white meat.

The pollock is more available to the angler than its codfish relative. These aggressive fighters offer the thrills of a bluefish and the flesh of a cod.

Location: Whole coast with more north of Plymouth. Inshore (breakwaters and other structures) and offshore depending on the water temperatures. Inshore, pollock tend to be smaller than those offshore.

Season: May-October with the best runs in May, October

Baits and Lures: Same as cod, plus metal lures with a strip of squid.

Methods and Tackle: Still-fishing, casting, trolling. For deep water use same set up as for cod. Lighter spinning gear can be used for inshore fishing.

Cusk

Illustration of a cusk, a bottom-dwelling saltwater fish found in deep waters off Massachusetts, identified by its elongated body, barbel on the chin, and continuous dorsal fin.
Cusk are deep-water bottom fish found off the coast of Massachusetts, known for their long, eel-like bodies, chin barbel, and rich, white fillets.

Like the cod, the cusk is a cool water fish and is found on hard, rough bottom habitat. Look for the continuous dorsal fin to assist with identification.

Location: Rocky ledges/hard bottom, moderately deep waters (more than 75 feet).

Season: Year round.

Baits and Lures: Same as cod.

Methods and Tackle: Same as cod.

Halibut

Illustration of an Atlantic halibut, a large flatfish found in deep offshore waters of Massachusetts, recognized by its dark mottled body, diamond shape, and both eyes on the right side.
Atlantic halibut are large flatfish found in deep offshore waters of Massachusetts, known for their diamond shape, dark coloring, and prized firm white meat.

This is the largest of the Atlantic flatfishes, which if you do happen to hook one, can be very challenging to reel up from deep water.

Location: Whole coast, cool and deep waters, preferred bottom type is sand, gravel or clay not soft mud or rock.

Season: Year round

Baits and Lures: Seaworms, clams, strips of fish, sandlance, jigs.

Methods and Tackle: Fishing from a boat with medium to stiff rod.

Wolffish (Ocean Catfish)

Illustration of an Atlantic wolffish, a cold-water bottom predator found off Massachusetts, identified by its elongated body, vertical bars, and sharp canine teeth.
The Atlantic wolffish is a bottom-dwelling predator in cold Massachusetts waters, recognized by its long body, bold stripes, and powerful canine-like teeth.

Wolfish are distinguished by their large size, pronounced molar and canine teeth, and the lack of ventral fins. They do not school and prefer hard bottom, not mud, in deep waters.

Location: Whole coast, deep water, incidental to cod fishing.

Possession Prohibited

Rainbow Smelt

Illustration of a rainbow smelt, a small, silvery saltwater fish found in Massachusetts estuaries and coastal waters, known for its slender body and popularity as bait.
Rainbow smelt are small, slender fish found in Massachusetts coastal waters, prized for their silvery shine and commonly used as bait by local anglers.

This small anadromous fish is a seasonal favorite along the coast. They’re accessible prior to the spawning runs up coastal streams during the late winter and early spring.

Location: Whole coast, estuaries, the mouths of coastal rivers, and within coastal rivers.

Season: September-February

Baits and Lures: Blood worms, sand worms, grass shrimp, small local bait fish

Methods and tackle: Ice fishing, shore fishing—keep bait moving slowly up and down within the school; light tackle, hand line.

Sharks: Shortfin Mako (top) and Blue (bottom)

Illustration of a shortfin mako shark, a fast-swimming predator found in offshore Massachusetts waters, recognized by its pointed snout, deep blue back, and crescent-shaped tail.
The shortfin mako shark is a powerful offshore predator in Massachusetts waters, known for its speed, pointed snout, and striking blue coloration.
Illustration of a blue shark, a slender, fast-moving species found in offshore Massachusetts waters, identified by its vibrant blue color, long pectoral fins, and streamlined body.
Blue sharks are sleek, open-ocean predators found off the coast of Massachusetts, easily identified by their long fins, slender body, and vibrant blue color.

Blue and mako sharks are common to our offshore waters and are sought after by recreational anglers. Makos are the more aggressive of the two fish and will put up an exciting fight. Venture with an experienced shark angler to prevent unexpected surprises and make sure you bleed and ice the shark flesh immediately. Anglers are encouraged to release sharks not intended for consumption.

Location: South of the Islands, East of Cape Cod, off North shore including Cape Cod Bay.

Season: June-October

Baits and Lures: Chumming and baited hooks (preferably oily fish)

Methods and Tackle: Trolling, drifting; medium to heavy tackle, wire leader.

Herring of Massachusetts

A variety of herring frequent MA coastal and estuarine waters and can be confusing to identify. River herring (alewife and blueback herring) and American shad are generally seen during spring spawning runs. Menhaden and Atlantic herring may appear in our estuaries during coastal migration in the summer or early fall.

Atlantic herring

Illustration of an Atlantic herring with labeled features including teeth on the roof of the mouth, a dorsal fin at midlength, and a narrow, silver-colored body.
Atlantic herring are small, silvery fish found in Massachusetts waters, identified by their narrow body, midlength dorsal fin, and teeth on the roof of the mouth.

Alewife

Illustration of an alewife, a deep-bodied fish found in Massachusetts, labeled with key features like no teeth on the roof of the mouth, a large eye, and a forward-positioned dorsal fin.
Alewife are deep-bodied migratory fish found in Massachusetts, recognized by their large eyes, forward dorsal fin, and lack of teeth on the roof of the mouth.

American shad

Illustration of an American shad, the largest species in the herring family, labeled with features including a large mouth, upper jaw near the eye, and possible row of spots.
American shad are the largest members of the herring family in Massachusetts, identified by their large mouth, upper jaw near the eye, and a line of dark spots.

Blueback herring

Illustration of a blueback herring, a migratory fish found in Massachusetts, labeled with features including a small eye, no teeth on the roof of the mouth, and a forward dorsal fin.
Blueback herring are migratory fish in Massachusetts, recognized by their small eyes, toothless upper mouth, and a dorsal fin positioned forward of midlength.

Atlantic menhaden

Illustration of an Atlantic menhaden, a forage fish common in Massachusetts, showing a scaleless head about one-third of its body length and a line of small, random dark spots.
Atlantic menhaden are important forage fish in Massachusetts waters, easily identified by their large scaleless head and a series of small, scattered dark spots.

Note: The harvest and possession of river herring (alewife and blueback) is prohibited in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts
Saltwater Fishing