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Rules by state

New Hampshire
saltwater rules

New Hampshire Fish and Game sets the rules inside New Hampshire’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Maine · Massachusetts

59 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 28 of them carry a federal-waters rule because New Hampshire 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). New Hampshire 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
    See Squamscott River special restrictions
    Season
    Closed weekly sunrise Wednesday to sunrise Thursday

    Open

    Cocheco, Oyster, and Taylor rivers closed; fishing prohibited around fishway closure areas.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  3. American Eel

    Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

    Size
    9 in TL min
    Bag
    25 fish/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Fishway closure areas off-limits Oct 2 - Jun 14.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  4. American Plaice

    Dab, Canadian plaice, Sand dab Hippoglossoides platessoides

    Size
    14" TL min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    Filleted groundfish must keep 2 square inches of skin for identification.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  5. American Shad

    Alosa sapidissima

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    All shad must be immediately released.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  6. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

    Thunnus thynnus

    Size
    27 in curved fork length min
    Bag
    Variable per federal HMS rules
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Federally managed; NOAA HMS Angling permit required; size is curved fork length, not TL/FL.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  7. Atlantic Cod

    Codfish Gadus morhua

    Size
    23 in TL min
    Bag
    1 fish/day
    Season
    Open Sep 1 - Oct 31 (closed Nov 1 - Aug 31)

    Open

    Head and tail intact unless fillet is 14 in or more; Cod Spawning Protection Area closures apply Apr/May/Jun.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  8. Atlantic Halibut

    Hippoglossus hippoglossus

    Size
    41 in TL min
    Bag
    1 fish per trip/vessel
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Head and tail must remain intact while on or leaving state waters.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  9. Atlantic Herring

    Sea herring Clupea harengus

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

    Open

    Federal regulations apply in federal waters.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  10. Atlantic Mackerel

    Boston mackerel, Tinker (small) Scomber scombrus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    25 fish/day (50 on for-hire vessels)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Limit raised from 20 in mid-2026 per current online digest.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  11. Atlantic Menhaden

    Bunker, Pogy, Fatback Brevoortia tyrannus

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

    Open

    Listed in NH digest with no recreational restrictions.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  12. Atlantic Salmon

    Sea-run salmon Salmo salar

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    All sea-run Atlantic salmon must be immediately released.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  13. Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

    Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  14. Atlantic Sturgeon

    Acipenser oxyrinchus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  15. Atlantic Wolffish

    Ocean catfish Anarhichas lupus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  16. Black Sea Bass

    Sea bass Centropristis striata

    Size
    16.5 in TL min
    Bag
    4 fish/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Length does not include tail filament.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  17. Blacknose Shark

    Carcharhinus acronotus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  18. Blacktip Shark

    Carcharhinus limbatus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  19. Blue Marlin

    Makaira nigricans

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  20. Blue Shark

    Blue dog Prionace glauca

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

    Open

    Head, fins, and tail must remain attached through landing; circle hooks required with bait; federal rules apply in federal waters.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  21. Blueback Herring

    River herring Alosa aestivalis

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    See Squamscott River special restrictions
    Season
    Closed weekly sunrise Wednesday to sunrise Thursday

    Open

    Cocheco, Oyster, and Taylor rivers closed; fishing prohibited around fishway closure areas.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  22. Bluefish

    Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    5 fish/day (7 on for-hire vessels)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Non-offset corrodible circle hooks required with bait; limit raised from 3/5 to 5/7 in mid-2026.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  23. Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

    Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

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

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

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

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  24. Bonnethead

    Sphyrna tiburo

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  25. Bull Shark

    Carcharhinus leucas

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  26. Common Thresher

    Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

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

    Open

    Head, fins, and tail must remain attached through landing; circle hooks required with bait; federal rules apply in federal waters.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  27. Dusky Shark

    Carcharhinus obscurus

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

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark — release with minimal injury without removing from the water.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  28. Finetooth Shark

    Carcharhinus isodon

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  29. Galapagos Shark

    Carcharhinus galapagensis

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

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

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

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  30. Great Hammerhead

    Sphyrna mokarran

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  31. Great White Shark

    White shark Carcharodon carcharias

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

    Size
    —
    Bag
    No retention
    Season
    Prohibited

    Put it back

    On the federal prohibited-shark list — release immediately.

    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

  32. Haddock

    Melanogrammus aeglefinus

    Size
    17 in min
    Bag
    15 per day
    Season
    Open year-round except Mar 1 – Mar 31

    Open

    2026 minimum aligned to 17 in with ME/MA; the printed NH digest still shows 18 in — flagged for review. March spawning closure.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked · likely

  33. Lemon Shark

    Negaprion brevirostris

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  34. Monkfish

    Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

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

    Open

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  35. Nurse Shark

    Ginglymostoma cirratum

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  36. Ocean Pout

    Zoarces americanus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  37. Oceanic Whitetip Shark

    Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

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

    Size
    N/A
    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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  38. Pollock

    Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

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

    Open

    19 in minimum applies if taken in federal waters.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  39. Porbeagle

    Lamna nasus

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

    Open

    Recreational take allowed; commercial take prohibited in state waters; head, fins, and tail attached through landing.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  40. Rainbow Smelt

    Smelt Osmerus mordax

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    4 liquid quarts/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Head and tail must remain intact.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  41. Sailfish

    Istiophorus platypterus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  42. Sand Tiger

    Carcharias taurus

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

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark — release with minimal injury without removing from the water.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  43. Sandbar Shark

    Carcharhinus plumbeus

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

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (recreational) — release with minimal injury without removing from the water.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  44. Scalloped Hammerhead

    Sphyrna lewini

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  45. Shortfin Mako

    Isurus oxyrinchus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    See Fis 603.20 for additional species not common to NH waters.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  46. Silky Shark

    Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

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

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

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

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  47. Skipjack Tuna

    Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  48. Smooth Dogfish

    Mustelus canis

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  49. Smooth Hammerhead

    Sphyrna zygaena

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  50. Spinner Shark

    Carcharhinus brevipinna

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  51. Spiny Dogfish

    Squalus acanthias

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

    Open

    Finning prohibited.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  52. Striped Bass

    Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

    Size
    28 to less than 31 in TL slot
    Bag
    1 fish/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Non-offset corrodible circle hooks required with bait; gaffing and culling prohibited; no sale; TL measured with tail squeezed.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  53. Summer Flounder

    Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

    Size
    15 in TL min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Sale prohibited.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  54. Swordfish

    Xiphias gladius

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  55. Tiger Shark

    Galeocerdo cuvier

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  56. White Marlin

    Kajikia albida

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New Hampshire 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

  57. White Perch

    Perch Morone americana

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    25 per day
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    Sale is prohibited.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  58. Windowpane Flounder

    Sand dab Scophthalmus aquosus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  59. Winter Flounder

    Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

    Size
    12 in TL min
    Bag
    8 fish/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Filleted/skinned groundfish must retain 2 sq in of skin for ID.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

Every other species

NH lists only species with specific rules; unlisted species have no state size/bag/season limits (Fis 603.20 covers species not common to NH waters). Recreational saltwater license required; max two lines.

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

NH F&G 2026 · checked 2026-09-10

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

  • A New Hampshire Saltwater Recreational Fishing License is required for everyone 16 and older taking marine finfish in coastal and estuarine waters, by rod, spear or other gear. Exempt: passengers on a licensed charter or party boat, and Maine or Massachusetts residents holding their own state's saltwater license.
Get a New Hampshire license

Nearby waters: Maine · Massachusetts · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about New Hampshire

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in New Hampshire?

A New Hampshire Saltwater Recreational Fishing License is required for everyone 16 and older taking marine finfish in coastal and estuarine waters, by rod, spear or other gear. Exempt: passengers on a licensed charter or party boat, and Maine or Massachusetts residents holding their own state's saltwater license.

How far out do New Hampshire state waters go?

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

What if a fish is not listed for New Hampshire?

New Hampshire sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. NH lists only species with specific rules; unlisted species have no state size/bag/season limits (Fis 603.20 covers species not common to NH waters). Recreational saltwater license required; max two lines.

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 New Hampshire 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 4 official pages