Maine state waters, out to 3 miles
Hook and line or dip net only, personal use; runs under municipal lease follow the town's harvest plan instead.
ME DMR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blueback herringBlue-black back, smaller eye — in hand, its gut lining is black. Tell them apart
Atlantic herringNo shoulder spot. Tell them apartNot listed by Maine: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
American shadMuch larger, spot row. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
River herring with an eye WIDER than its snout is long; gray-green back, single shoulder spot, sawtooth belly keel. More on the alewife page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Alewife in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for alewife in Maine?
No size limit.
How many alewife can you keep in Maine?
25 river herring per day (alewife + blueback combined). Counts toward the River herring aggregate.
When is alewife season in Maine?
Open year-round; non-leased brooks, rivers and streams closed 6 AM Thursday to 6 AM Sunday weekly.
How current is this Maine alewife rule?
Source: ME DMR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 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 an alewife in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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