Saltwater Fishing Permit

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Three generations of anglers proudly display a freshly caught striped bass on a sunny day in Massachusetts. The toddler wears a life jacket and sunglasses, highlighting safe and family-friendly saltwater fishing practices. Photo courtesy of Jared Sweeney. — Three generations enjoy a day of saltwater fishing in Massachusetts, proudly showing off a freshly caught striped bass. Promoting safe, family-friendly fishing fun on the water.

FREE Saltwater Fishing Days:

May 11 & June 15

*No Permit Needed!

Love to fish?

If you're 16 or older, you need a recreational saltwater fishing permit in Massachusetts. Whether you print your permit or have it stored on your mobile device, you must always have a version of your current fishing permit with you when saltwater fishing in Massachusetts. The process for getting your permit is the same for new, returning, and 60+ anglers. Permits expire each year on December 31.

Who Needs a Permit?

All anglers age 16 or older that wish to engage in the recreational activity of finfishing, with the following exceptions:

Anglers who regardless of their age otherwise meet the definition of a disabled person in M.G.L. c. 19C
Anglers fishing on permitted for-hire vessels (charter/head boat)

Permit Fee

The fee for an individual angler (resident or non-resident) is $10
Although there is no fee to anglers 60 years and older, you must still get a permit

Reciprocity

Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with:

New Hampshire: MA to NH and NH to MA
Rhode Island: MA to RI and RI to MA
Connecticut: MA to CT and CT to MA
Maine: MA to ME only

These agreements allow MA recreational saltwater permit holders to recreationally fish in NH, RI, CT, and ME. Read each agreement for specific details. Be aware that regulations vary from state to state.

How to Get Your 2025 Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

You can get your Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit online, by mail, or in person. Here’s how:

Online

You can buy your saltwater fishing permit online. MassFishHunt will walk you through getting your permit. Online permits will include a small additional administrative fee.

By Mail

Visit our Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit webpage and download and print the paper application for recreational saltwater fishing permits.

In Person

You can get your permit in person at our Gloucester or New Bedford offices. Those offices are open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and only accept checks or money orders.

Permits can also be bought at one of our approved vendor locations. Visit online to find a location near you.

Gloucester Office
30 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 282-0308

New Bedford Office
836 S Rodney French Blvd.
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 990-2860

For questions, please email or call one of our offices.

Learn more about how to get your 2025 saltwater recreational fishing permit online

Child wearing a hoodie holding a freshly caught black sea bass on a sunny day while fishing in Massachusetts coastal waters. The child looks at the camera while gently gripping the fish, showcasing a successful saltwater fishing experience. — A young angler proudly shows off a black sea bass caught during a sunny day of saltwater fishing off the coast of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries infographic titled “Where do your fishing permit fees go?” showing how saltwater permit fees support public fishing access, angler education, marine research, and catch data collection. Includes images of people fishing and participating in educational programs. Highlights benefits like fishing pier maintenance, free clinics, conservation efforts, and improved fishery data. — This infographic from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries explains how your recreational saltwater fishing permit fees support public fishing access, angler education programs, marine research, and improved catch data to protect and enhance saltwater fishing across the state.