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Rules by state

Maine
saltwater rules

The Maine Department of Marine Resources sets the rules inside Maine’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: New Hampshire

61 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 22 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Maine lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

  1. Albacore

    Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  2. Alewife

    River herring, Buckie Alosa pseudoharengus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    25 river herring per day (alewife + blueback combined)
    Season
    Open year-round; non-leased brooks, rivers and streams closed 6 AM Thursday to 6 AM Sunday weekly

    Open

    Hook and line or dip net only, personal use; runs under municipal lease follow the town's harvest plan instead.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  3. American Eel

    Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

    Size
    9" min
    Bag
    25 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Speargun, harpoon, trap, or hook and line; personal use only.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  4. American Shad

    Alosa sapidissima

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    2 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Hook and line only; areas within 150 feet of dams with fishways are closed to all fishing.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  5. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

    Thunnus thynnus

    Size
    27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"
    Bag
    Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026
    Season
    Open under in-season limits

    Open

    HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
    A Federal Highly Migratory Species permit is required to fish for bluefin tuna; Maine sets no separate state limits.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · ME DMR 2026 · checked

  6. Atlantic Cod

    Codfish Gadus morhua

    Size
    23" min
    Bag
    1 per day
    Season
    Sep 1 - Oct 31

    Open

    Gulf of Maine recreational cod season; closed as of Aug 21, reopens Sep 1.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  7. Atlantic Halibut

    Hippoglossus hippoglossus

    Size
    41" min
    Bag
    5 per vessel per year (25 charter)
    Season
    May 18 - Jun 13, no fishing Wednesdays or Thursdays

    Closed

    Retained halibut must be tagged immediately with an approved Maine landings tag; 14/0-16/0 circle hooks required, max 100 hooks per person and vessel; federal waters allow 1 per day year-round.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  8. Atlantic Mackerel

    Boston mackerel, Tinker (small) Scomber scombrus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    25 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  9. Atlantic Menhaden

    Bunker, Pogy, Fatback Brevoortia tyrannus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    25 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Speargun, harpoon, minnow trap, hand dip net, or hook and line; personal use only.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  10. Atlantic Salmon

    Sea-run salmon Salmo salar

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Unlawful to angle, take, or possess Atlantic salmon in all Maine waters including coastal waters; release incidental catch immediately without removing it from the water.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  11. Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

    Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit)
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  12. Atlantic Sturgeon

    Acipenser oxyrinchus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Unlawful to fish for, take, or possess any sturgeon (Atlantic or shortnose) in Maine waters; release incidental catch immediately alive and uninjured.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  13. Atlantic Wolffish

    Ocean catfish Anarhichas lupus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Anglers are prohibited from possessing Atlantic wolffish.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  14. Black Sea Bass

    Sea bass Centropristis striata

    Size
    13" min
    Bag
    10 per day
    Season
    May 19 - Sep 21 and Oct 18 - Dec 31

    Open

    Hook and line only.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  15. Blacknose Shark

    Carcharhinus acronotus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  16. Blacktip Shark

    Carcharhinus limbatus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  17. Blue Marlin

    Makaira nigricans

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    99" LJFL min
    Bag
    No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS permit required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  18. Blue Shark

    Blue dog Prionace glauca

    Size
    No state size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Not on the Chapter 50 prohibited coastal sharks list; a Federal HMS permit is required to fish for blue sharks in federal waters, and finning is prohibited.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked · likely

  19. Blueback Herring

    River herring Alosa aestivalis

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    25 river herring per day (alewife + blueback combined)
    Season
    Open year-round; non-leased brooks, rivers and streams closed 6 AM Thursday to 6 AM Sunday weekly

    Open

    Hook and line or dip net only, personal use; runs under municipal lease follow the town's harvest plan instead.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  20. Bluefish

    Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    5 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    No bait with treble hooks, max two treble hooks per lure, and only circle hooks when using bait.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  21. Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

    Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  22. Bonnethead

    Sphyrna tiburo

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit)
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  23. Bull Shark

    Carcharhinus leucas

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  24. Caribbean Reef Shark

    Carcharhinus perezii

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Reef shark is on the Chapter 50 coastal sharks list; take prohibited in Maine territorial waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  25. Common Thresher

    Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

    Size
    No state size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Not on the Chapter 50 prohibited coastal sharks list (bigeye thresher is prohibited); a Federal HMS permit is required in federal waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked · likely

  26. Cunner

    Bergall, Chogset Tautogolabrus adspersus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Listed on the 2026 Maine sheet with no size or bag limit.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  27. Cusk

    Brosme brosme

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Listed on the 2026 Maine sheet with no size or bag limit.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  28. Dusky Shark

    Carcharhinus obscurus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Dusky shark is on the Chapter 50 coastal sharks list; take prohibited in Maine territorial waters and federally.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  29. Finetooth Shark

    Carcharhinus isodon

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  30. Galapagos Shark

    Carcharhinus galapagensis

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  31. Great Hammerhead

    Sphyrna mokarran

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    78" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    May not be retained if a swordfish, tuna, or billfish is on board. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  32. Great White Shark

    White shark Carcharodon carcharias

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    White shark is on the Chapter 50 coastal sharks list; take prohibited in Maine territorial waters and federally.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  33. Haddock

    Melanogrammus aeglefinus

    Size
    17" min
    Bag
    15 per day
    Season
    Open year-round except Mar 1-31 (no possession)

    Open

    Cannot possess haddock March 1 through March 31 inclusive.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  34. Lemon Shark

    Negaprion brevirostris

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  35. Monkfish

    Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

    Size
    17" min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  36. Nurse Shark

    Ginglymostoma cirratum

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  37. Ocean Pout

    Zoarces americanus

    Federal rule (New England federal waters). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    —
    Bag
    No retention
    Season
    Prohibited

    Put it back

    No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.

    NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

  38. Oceanic Whitetip Shark

    Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  39. Pollock

    Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

    Size
    No size limit (state waters)
    Bag
    No bag limit (state waters)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Maine territorial waters have no size or bag limit; federal waters impose a 19-inch minimum.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  40. Porbeagle

    Lamna nasus

    Size
    No state size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round unless the federal porbeagle quota is reached

    Open

    Commercial harvest is prohibited in Maine territorial waters and all take/landing closes when the federal quota is reached; a Federal HMS permit is required to fish for porbeagle in federal waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked · likely

  41. Rainbow Smelt

    Smelt Osmerus mordax

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1-4 quarts per day by zone and date; no daily limit east of Naskeag Point Jul 1-Mar 14
    Season
    Open year-round; gear, bag, and weekday closures vary by zone

    Open

    Three coastal zones: Zone 1 (NH border-Owl's Head) hook/line only (through the ice Feb 1-Sep 30), Zone 2 closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays Mar 15-Jun 30, Zone 3 dip net or hook/line; standing in the water while smelt fishing is unlawful statewide.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  42. Red Hake

    Ling, Squirrel hake Urophycis chuss

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Listed on the 2026 Maine sheet with no size or bag limit.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  43. Sailfish

    Istiophorus platypterus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    63" LJFL min
    Bag
    No federal bag limit
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS permit required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  44. Sand Tiger

    Carcharias taurus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Take of coastal sharks as defined in Chapter 50.01(1) is prohibited in Maine territorial waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  45. Sandbar Shark

    Carcharhinus plumbeus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Sandbar shark is on the Chapter 50 coastal sharks list; take prohibited in Maine territorial waters and federally.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  46. Scalloped Hammerhead

    Sphyrna lewini

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    78" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    May not be retained if a swordfish, tuna, or billfish is on board. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  47. Shortfin Mako

    Isurus oxyrinchus

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    North Atlantic shortfin mako is expressly included on the Chapter 50 coastal sharks list; take prohibited in Maine territorial waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  48. Silky Shark

    Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

    Size
    Take prohibited
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  49. Skipjack Tuna

    Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  50. Smooth Dogfish

    Mustelus canis

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No federal recreational limit
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  51. Smooth Hammerhead

    Sphyrna zygaena

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    78 in fork length
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Federal waters only — Florida state waters prohibit all hammerhead harvest; can't be kept with tuna or billfish aboard.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing with bait; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  52. Spinner Shark

    Carcharhinus brevipinna

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  53. Spiny Dogfish

    Squalus acanthias

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1 per day
    Season
    Open year-round unless the ASMFC quota closure is triggered

    Open

    Chapter 50 allows any person 1 dogfish per day for personal use even after the commercial quota closes Maine territorial waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  54. Striped Bass

    Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

    Size
    28-31" TL slot
    Bag
    1 per day
    Season
    Open year-round statewide; Kennebec watershed (Kennebec/Sheepscot/Androscoggin & tributaries) open Jul 1-Nov 30, closed Dec 1-Jun 30 with catch-and-release single-hook artificial-lure season May 1-Jun 30

    Open

    Non-offset circle hook required with bait, no gaffing, no treble hooks with bait; Saco River above the Route 9 bridge (Cataract Dam area) is closed; unlawful in federal waters.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  55. Summer Flounder

    Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

    Size
    20" min
    Bag
    2 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  56. Swordfish

    Xiphias gladius

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    47" LJFL min
    Bag
    1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  57. Tautog

    Tautoga onitis

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Listed on the 2026 Maine sheet with no size or bag limit.

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

  58. Tiger Shark

    Galeocerdo cuvier

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  59. White Marlin

    Kajikia albida

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    66" LJFL min
    Bag
    No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS permit required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  60. Windowpane Flounder

    Sand dab Scophthalmus aquosus

    Federal rule (New England federal waters). Maine lists none of its own.

    Size
    —
    Bag
    No retention
    Season
    Prohibited

    Put it back

    No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.

    NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

  61. Winter Flounder

    Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

    Size
    12" min
    Bag
    8 per day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    ME DMR 2026 · checked

Every other species

Unless further restricted, any species may be taken by hook and line, speargun, harpoon, minnow trap, or hand dip net for personal use only; sale by recreational anglers is prohibited; all minimum lengths are total length.

Size
No size limit
Bag
No bag limit
Season
Open year-round

ME DMR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

  • Maine requires annual registration in its Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry; carry proof while fishing or transporting fish. Exempt: under 16, holders of a Maine freshwater license (not a lifetime license) or a DMR commercial license, tribal members, passengers on a licensed for-hire boat, and Maine residents fishing only on Memorial Day weekend, July 4th or Labor Day weekend.
Register with Maine's saltwater registry

Nearby waters: New Hampshire · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Maine

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Maine?

Maine requires annual registration in its Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry; carry proof while fishing or transporting fish. Exempt: under 16, holders of a Maine freshwater license (not a lifetime license) or a DMR commercial license, tribal members, passengers on a licensed for-hire boat, and Maine residents fishing only on Memorial Day weekend, July 4th or Labor Day weekend.

How far out do Maine state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Maine Department of Marine Resources sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region sets the federal rules, and where Maine has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

What if a fish is not listed for Maine?

Maine sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. Unless further restricted, any species may be taken by hook and line, speargun, harpoon, minnow trap, or hand dip net for personal use only; sale by recreational anglers is prohibited; all minimum lengths are total length.

Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

How current are these Maine rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Checked against 6 official pages