Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Also called Boston mackerel, Tinker (small).
How to tell it
Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called Atlantic mackerel, and what gives each one away.
- Atlantic chub mackerel: Dusky spots below the midline, bigger eye. Tell them apart
- Spanish mackerel: Gold spots, southern. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DelawareFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire) | All yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maine | No size limit | 25 per day | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| MarylandFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire) | All yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | No size limit | 25 per day | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | No size limit | 25 fish/day (50 on for-hire vessels) | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New JerseyFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire) | All yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| New YorkFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire) | All yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| VirginiaFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire) | All yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 3 lb 5 oz | 1985 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 2.44 lb | 1995 · Bailey Island | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 3 lb 8 oz | 1994 · Hampton Shoal | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 3 lb | 1988 · Gulf of Maine, Hampton | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 4 lb 1 oz | 1983 · Manasquan Ridge | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Rhode Island | 1 lb 1.6 oz | 1981 | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
A string of small tubes or a sabiki-style rig jigged through the school; a bait fish as much as a target.
On the table
Rich and oily — eat or smoke it same-day fresh.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic mackerel and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about Atlantic mackerel
How many Atlantic mackerel can you keep?
Delaware: 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire); Maine: 25 per day; Maryland: 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire); Massachusetts: 25 per day; New Hampshire: 25 fish/day (50 on for-hire vessels); New Jersey: 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire); New York: 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire); Virginia: 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire).
How do you tell Atlantic mackerel from Atlantic chub mackerel?
Atlantic Mackerel: Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail. Atlantic chub mackerel: dusky spots below the midline, bigger eye.
How do you catch Atlantic mackerel?
A string of small tubes or a sabiki-style rig jigged through the school; a bait fish as much as a target. Methods: jigging, casting. Lures: metal jig, spoon.
What is the record Atlantic mackerel?
4 lb 1 oz in New Jersey (1983), Manasquan Ridge. Other states’ records are in the table.