Maine state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
Maine state record
Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Massive girth, short pectoral fins that don't reach the second dorsal. More on the Atlantic bluefin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Maine?
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73". Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many Atlantic bluefin tuna can you keep in Maine?
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in Maine?
Open under in-season limits.
What is the Maine record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
839.12 lb, Harpswell (2023).
How current is this Maine Atlantic bluefin tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2026 · 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 Atlantic bluefin tuna in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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