Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
10-fish private-vessel maximum; one trophy fish over 21 in per angler per day.
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
Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth. More on the tautog page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Tautog in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for tautog in Massachusetts?
16" min; only one fish over 21". Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many tautog can you keep in Massachusetts?
3 (Apr 1-May 31), 1 (Jun 1-Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1-Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15-Dec 31).
When is tautog season in Massachusetts?
Apr 1 - Dec 31, seasonal bag changes. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Massachusetts record tautog?
22 lb 9 oz, Gay Head (1978).
How current is this Massachusetts tautog 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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