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 Fisheries 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 groundfish 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 |
Limit |
Closed Season/Day |
Special Rules |
American Eel |
9 inches |
No limit |
Fishway closures: |
|
American Plaice* |
12 inches |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
|
American Shad |
No min. length |
No limit |
No closed season |
|
Atlantic Cod* |
19 inches |
See Special Rules |
April 1 – June 30 |
|
Atlantic Halibut* |
41 inches |
1 fish per trip/vessel |
April 1 – June 30 |
Head and tail intact |
Atlantic Menhaden |
No min. length |
6,000 lbs./day once state quota harvested |
No closed season |
|
Atlantic Sea Herring |
No min. length |
No limit |
|
|
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 |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
Head and tail intact, unless fillet is 10 inches minimum |
Monkfish |
17 inches |
No limit |
No closed season |
|
Ocean Pout* |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
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Pollock* |
19 inches |
No limit |
Gill net: April 1 – June 30 |
|
Rainbow Smelt (saltwater) |
No min. length |
4 liquid quarts/day |
Net or Weirs: |
|
Redfish* |
7 inches |
No limit |
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 |
|
|
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 |
No limit |
Closed |
Take prohibited |
White Hake* |
No min. length |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
|
White Perch |
No min. length |
No limit |
Closed |
Sale is prohibited |
Windowpane Flounder* |
No min. length |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
|
Winter Flounder * |
12 inches |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
If not federally permitted for groundfish, may possess up to 500 lbs./vessel |
Witch Flounder* |
13 inches |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
|
Yellowtail Flounder* |
12 inches |
No limit |
April 1 – June 30 |
|