Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Curved-fork-length measure; applies in state waters only.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
False albacoreWavy broken markings, no teeth showing. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Massachusetts state record
MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Straight dark stripes along the upper flank, visible teeth, slimmer than false albacore. More on the Atlantic bonito page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic bonito in other states1 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic bonito in Massachusetts?
16" min (curved fork length). Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many Atlantic bonito can you keep in Massachusetts?
5 fish combined with false albacore. Counts toward the Bonito & false albacore (combined) aggregate.
When is Atlantic bonito season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
What is the Massachusetts record Atlantic bonito?
13 lb 8 oz, NB Dike (2002).
How current is this Massachusetts Atlantic bonito 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.
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