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Species · Lookalikes

Atlantic MackerelorSpanish Mackerel

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus), side view, on a white background
Atlantic MackerelScomber scombrus
Studio photograph of a Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), side view, on a white background
Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus

Rules for both fish from 17 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Atlantic Mackerel

Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail.

Spanish Mackerel

Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king.

Spanish mackerel, next to Atlantic mackerel: gold spots, southern.

Side by side

Atlantic MackerelSpanish Mackerel
Scientific nameScomber scombrusScomberomorus maculatus
Also calledBoston mackerel, Tinker (small)Spanish
WatersNearshoreNearshore
Heaviest state record4 lb 1 oz · New Jersey (1983)13 lb · North Carolina (1987)
On the tableRich and oily — eat or smoke it same-day fresh.Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long.
Rules of its own in8 states14 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 17 of 17 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) and Spanish mackerel is 14 in min, 15 per day. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

StateAtlantic Mackerel: size · bag · seasonSpanish Mackerel: size · bag · season
AlabamaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.No size limit15 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked
DelawareNo 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 14 in min15 per dayOpen year-roundOpenDE DNREC 2026 · checked
Florida (Atlantic)Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked
Florida (Gulf)Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked
GeorgiaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in fork length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked
LouisianaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in fork length15 per personOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked
MaineNo size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
MarylandNo 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 14 in min15Open year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · checked
MassachusettsNo size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
MississippiNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in fork length minimum15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked
New HampshireNo size limit25 fish/day (50 on for-hire vessels)Open year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
New JerseyNo 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 14 in min10Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked
New YorkNo 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 14"15Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked
North CarolinaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12" FL min15 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked
South CarolinaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in fork length15/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked
TexasNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.14 in total length15Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked
VirginiaNo 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 14 in min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked

In the app

Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic mackerel or Spanish mackerel, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.

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Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Atlantic mackerel from Spanish mackerel?

Atlantic Mackerel: Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail. Spanish Mackerel: Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king. Spanish mackerel, next to Atlantic mackerel: gold spots, southern.

Which gets bigger, Atlantic mackerel or Spanish mackerel?

Spanish Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 13 lb in North Carolina; the heaviest Atlantic mackerel record is 4 lb 1 oz in New Jersey.

Which is better to eat, Atlantic mackerel or Spanish mackerel?

Atlantic Mackerel: Rich and oily — eat or smoke it same-day fresh. Spanish Mackerel: Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long.

Do Atlantic mackerel and Spanish mackerel have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 17 state rulebooks. Delaware: Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire), Spanish mackerel 14 in min, 15 per day; Maryland: Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire), Spanish mackerel 14 in min, 15; New Jersey: Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire), Spanish mackerel 14 in min, 10; New York: Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire), Spanish mackerel 14", 15; Virginia: Atlantic mackerel No size limit, 25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire), Spanish mackerel 14 in min, 15 per person; and more in the table on this page.