Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Measured excluding tail filament; may be filleted but not skinned at sea, max two fillets per fish.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Massachusetts state record
MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states15 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for black sea bass in Massachusetts?
16" min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in Massachusetts?
4 fish (May 16-Aug 31), 2 fish (Sep 1-Oct 14).
When is black sea bass season in Massachusetts?
May 16 - Oct 14 (bag drops Sep 1). As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Massachusetts record black sea bass?
8 lb 15 oz, Buzzards Bay (2007).
How current is this Massachusetts black sea bass 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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