Atlantic Chub MackerelorAtlantic Mackerel
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Small mackerel with wavy lines on the back AND dusky spotting below the midline; big eye.
Atlantic chub mackerel, next to Atlantic mackerel: dusky spots below the midline, bigger eye.
Atlantic Mackerel
Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail.
Atlantic mackerel, next to Atlantic chub mackerel: clean unspotted belly, bolder bars.
Side by side
| Atlantic Chub Mackerel | Atlantic Mackerel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scomber colias | Scomber scombrus |
| Also called | Chub | Boston mackerel, Tinker (small) |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 2 lb 5.28 oz · Connecticut (2021) | 4 lb 1 oz · New Jersey (1983) |
| On the table | Rich and dark — grill or smoke it fresh. | Rich and oily — eat or smoke it same-day fresh. |
| Rules of its own in | 1 states | 8 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 9 of 9 states with a rule for either. In Delaware, Atlantic mackerel is No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire) while Atlantic chub mackerel has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Atlantic Chub Mackerel: size · bag · season | Atlantic Mackerel: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)All yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked |
| Maine | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)All yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked |
| New Hampshire | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 fish/day (50 on for-hire vessels)Open year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)All yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)All yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · likely · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)All yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic chub mackerel or Atlantic mackerel, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell Atlantic chub mackerel from Atlantic mackerel?
Atlantic Chub Mackerel: Small mackerel with wavy lines on the back AND dusky spotting below the midline; big eye. Atlantic Mackerel: Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail. Atlantic mackerel, next to Atlantic chub mackerel: clean unspotted belly, bolder bars. Atlantic chub mackerel, next to Atlantic mackerel: dusky spots below the midline, bigger eye.
Which gets bigger, Atlantic chub mackerel or Atlantic mackerel?
Atlantic Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 4 lb 1 oz in New Jersey; the heaviest Atlantic chub mackerel record is 2 lb 5.28 oz in Connecticut.
Which is better to eat, Atlantic chub mackerel or Atlantic mackerel?
Atlantic Chub Mackerel: Rich and dark — grill or smoke it fresh. Atlantic Mackerel: Rich and oily — eat or smoke it same-day fresh.
Do Atlantic chub mackerel and Atlantic mackerel have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 9 state rulebooks. Delaware: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire); Maine: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per day; Maryland: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire); Massachusetts: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per day; New Hampshire: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 fish/day (50 on for-hire vessels); and more in the table on this page.