Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
New for 2026: 25 fish from shore or private boats, 50 aboard for-hire vessels.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Atlantic chub mackerelDusky spots below the midline, bigger eye. Tell them apartNot listed by Massachusetts: the default applies (No limit, no bag limit).
Spanish mackerelGold spots, southern. Tell them apartNot listed by Massachusetts: the default applies (No limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Massachusetts state record
MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Bold black wavy bars over a metallic blue-green back with a CLEAN silver belly; finlets to the tail. More on the Atlantic mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic mackerel in other states8 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic mackerel in Massachusetts?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic mackerel can you keep in Massachusetts?
25 per day.
When is Atlantic mackerel season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
What is the Massachusetts record Atlantic mackerel?
3 lb 8 oz, Hampton Shoal (1994).
How current is this Massachusetts Atlantic mackerel 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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