Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
No hook-and-line limits; netting for bait needs permits.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
AlewifeDeeper body, bigger eye, shoulder spot. Tell them apart
Blueback herringBlue-black back, spot. Tell them apart
Atlantic menhadenBig spot plus trailing spots. Tell them apartNot listed by Massachusetts: the default applies (No limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Classic slim silver herring — no spots, no threads; deep-blue back over bright chrome. More on the Atlantic herring page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic herring in other states2 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for Atlantic herring in Massachusetts?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic herring can you keep in Massachusetts?
No bag limit.
When is Atlantic herring season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts Atlantic herring 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 Atlantic herring in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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