Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-roundOpen today
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Oyster toadfishSmall fry by comparison; no lure. 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
All head and mouth — flattened and fringed, with a built-in fishing-lure spine on the snout. More on the monkfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Monkfish in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for monkfish in Massachusetts?
No size limit.
How many monkfish can you keep in Massachusetts?
No bag limit.
When is monkfish season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts monkfish 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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