Commercial Saltwater Fishing — Finfish
New Hampshire has an active commercial marine fishing industry. Commercial finfish harvesting occurs almost exclusively in federal waters. State licenses may be required to harvest, transport, sell, or possess.
Reporting Requirements: Any person holding a permit to net or harvest from coastal waters must submit a monthly report of fishing activities. Forms are available from the Fish and Game Marine Division. Fishermen must also participate in the National Marine Fish- eries Service Vessel Trip Report program, if they have a federal permit for specific species.
Groundfish: See tables below for specific information and Definitions for a list of ground- fish species.
- No mobile gear may be used to take finfish or crustaceans in state waters.
- Minimum mesh size for gillnets and mobile gear is 6.5 inches to take, transport or possess groundfish.
- All federally permitted vessels must abide by current federal trip limits for groundfish.
New Hampshire Commercial Saltwater Fishing Regulations |
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Species |
Min. Length (total length) |
Limit |
Closed Season/Day |
Special Rules |
American Eel |
9 inches |
No limit |
Fishway closures: |
|
American Plaice* |
12 inches |
See footnote** |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
|
American Shad |
No min. length |
No limit |
No closed season |
|
Atlantic Cod* |
19 inches |
See footnote** |
April 1 – June 30 |
|
Atlantic Halibut* |
41 inches |
1 fish per trip/vessel |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
Head and tail intact |
Atlantic Menhaden |
No min. length |
6,000 lbs./day once state quota harvested |
Jan 1 – June 14 |
|
Atlantic Sea Herring |
No min. length |
Contact Marine Division for current trip limits: (603) 868-1095 |
|
|
Atlantic Wolffish |
No min. length |
No limit |
Closed |
Taking and possession prohibited |
Black Sea Bass |
11 inches |
No limit |
No closed season |
|
Bluefin Tuna |
73 inches CFL*** |
Variable; see website |
No closed season |
Under federal management; contact NMFS — 1-888-USA-TUNA or |
Bluefish |
No min. length |
No limit |
October 1 – June 30 |
|
Dogfish, Spiny |
No min. length |
Contact Marine Division for current trip limits: (603) 868-1095 |
May 1 – June 30 |
|
Haddock* |
16 inches |
See footnote** |
April 1 – June 30 |
Head and tail intact, unless fillet is 10 inches minimum |
Monkfish |
17 inches |
No limit |
No closed season |
|
Ocean Pout* |
See footnote** |
Closed |
Take and possession prohibited |
|
Pollock* |
19 inches |
See footnote** |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
|
Rainbow Smelt (saltwater) |
No min. length |
4 liquid quarts/day |
Net or Weirs: |
|
Redfish* |
7 inches |
See footnote** |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
|
River Herring (Alewife/ |
No min. length |
No limit |
Closed to all harvest in NH waters |
|
No min. length |
No limit |
No closed season |
|
|
See Special Rules |
|
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Striped Bass |
No min. length |
No limit |
Closed |
Take by netting prohibited; sale prohibited |
Sturgeon |
No min. length |
No limit |
Closed |
Take and possession prohibited |
Summer Flounder* |
No min. length |
See footnote** |
Closed |
Take prohibited |
White Hake* |
No min. length |
See footnote** |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
|
White Perch |
No min. length |
No limit |
Closed |
Sale is prohibited |
Windowpane Flounder* |
No min. length |
See footnote** |
Closed |
Take and possession prohibited |
Winter Flounder * |
12 inches |
See footnote** |
April 1 – June 30 |
If not federally permitted for groundfish, may possess up to 500 lbs./vessel |
Witch Flounder* |
13 inches |
See footnote** |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
|
Yellowtail Flounder* |
12 inches |
See footnote** |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
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