Monkfish
Lophius americanus
Also called Goosefish, Anglerfish.
How to tell it
All head and mouth — flattened and fringed, with a built-in fishing-lure spine on the snout.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called monkfish, and what gives it away.
- Oyster toadfish: Small fry by comparison; no lure. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DelawareFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | 17 in whole (11 in tail) | No bag limit | Open all yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maine | 17" min | No bag limit | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| MarylandFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | 17 in whole (11 in tail) | No bag limit | Open all yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | 17 in TL min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New JerseyFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | 17 in whole (11 in tail) | No bag limit | Open all yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 17" (or 11" tail) | No bag limit | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 17" whole / 11" tail | 50 lbs tails/day or 166 lbs whole/day | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| VirginiaFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | 17 in whole (11 in tail) | No bag limit | Open all yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 42 lb | 2016 · Southside of Fisher's Island | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 49 lb 12 oz | 1991 · Perkins Cove, Ogunquit | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
'Poor man's lobster' — the tail and cheeks.
In the app
Point the camera at a monkfish 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 monkfish
What is the size limit for monkfish?
It depends on the state. Delaware: 17 in whole (11 in tail); Maine: 17" min; Maryland: 17 in whole (11 in tail); New Hampshire: 17 in TL min; New Jersey: 17 in whole (11 in tail); New York: 17" (or 11" tail); Rhode Island: 17" whole / 11" tail; Virginia: 17 in whole (11 in tail).
How many monkfish can you keep?
Rhode Island: 50 lbs tails/day or 166 lbs whole/day.
How do you tell monkfish from oyster toadfish?
Monkfish: All head and mouth — flattened and fringed, with a built-in fishing-lure spine on the snout. Oyster toadfish: small fry by comparison; no lure.
What is the record monkfish?
49 lb 12 oz in Maine (1991), Perkins Cove, Ogunquit. Other states’ records are in the table.