Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-roundOpen today
MA DMF 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Longhorn sculpinCheek spines nearly reach the gill edge. Tell them apart
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-round
Sea ravenRagged fringed fins. Tell them apart
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-round
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Bulky cold-water sculpin with short cheek spines and warty skin. More on the shorthorn sculpin page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Shorthorn sculpin in other states1 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for shorthorn sculpin in Massachusetts?
No size limit.
How many shorthorn sculpin can you keep in Massachusetts?
No bag limit.
When is shorthorn sculpin season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts shorthorn sculpin 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 a shorthorn sculpin in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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