Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Municipal regulations may also apply.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Conger eelGray, with the upper jaw overhanging instead. Tell them apartNot listed by Massachusetts: the default applies (No limit, no bag limit).
Not listed by Massachusetts: the default applies (No limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
A true eel — one continuous fin running from mid-back around the tail; lower jaw juts past the upper. More on the American eel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for American eel in Massachusetts?
9" min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many American eel can you keep in Massachusetts?
25 fish (50 on for-hire vessels).
When is American eel season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts American eel rule?
Source: MA DMF 2026, last checked Sep 7, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an American eel in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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