Maine state waters, out to 3 miles
Listed on the 2026 Maine sheet with no size or bag limit.
ME DMR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Spotted hakeRow of dark spots along the lateral line. Tell them apartNot listed by Maine: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Atlantic codSquare tail, heavier body, pale lateral line. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Soft-rayed codling with a ribbon-thin first-dorsal ray, a chin barbel, and slim reddish-brown body. More on the red hake page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Red hake in other states2 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for red hake in Maine?
No size limit.
How many red hake can you keep in Maine?
No bag limit.
When is red hake season in Maine?
Open year-round.
How current is this Maine red hake 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 a red hake in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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