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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

62 species with a rule on file, checked Oct 28, 2026. 31 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.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    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. Bigeye Tuna

    Thunnus obesus

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

    Size
    27 in curved fork length min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked

  17. 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

  18. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  19. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  20. 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.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  21. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when angling for sharks with bait; Head, fins and tail must stay attached through landing.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  22. 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

  23. 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.

    Gear: Corrodible, non-offset circle hooks required when angling for bluefish with bait.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  24. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  25. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  26. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  27. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when angling for sharks with bait; Head, fins and tail must stay attached through landing.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  28. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  29. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  30. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  31. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  32. 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 (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  33. Haddock

    Melanogrammus aeglefinus

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

    Open

    March spawning closure.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked · likely

  34. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  35. Monkfish

    Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

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

    Open

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  36. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  37. Ocean Pout

    Zoarces americanus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  38. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  39. 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

  40. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when angling for sharks with bait; Head, fins and tail must stay attached through landing.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  41. 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

  42. 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.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  43. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  44. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  45. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  46. Scup

    Stenotomus chrysops

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

    Size
    10 in min
    Bag
    40 per person per trip
    Season
    Open all year

    Open

    Federal coastwide measures; state rules may differ inside 3 miles.
    The Mid-Atlantic council's coastwide federal rule applies in New England federal waters too.

    NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked

  47. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when angling for sharks with bait; Head, fins and tail must stay attached through landing.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  48. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  49. 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.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  50. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  51. 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 (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; 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). 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  53. Spiny Dogfish

    Squalus acanthias

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

    Open

    Finning prohibited.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when angling for sharks with bait; Head, fins and tail must stay attached through landing.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  54. 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.

    Gear: Corrodible, non-offset (inline) circle hooks required when angling for striped bass with bait (no lure exemption in the NH rule); No gaffing; land striped bass only by hand or hand-held dip net; no culling.

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  55. 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

  56. 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.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  57. 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.

    Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  58. 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.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  59. 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

  60. Windowpane Flounder

    Sand dab Scophthalmus aquosus

    Size
    Possession prohibited
    Bag
    Possession prohibited
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    NH F&G 2026 · checked

  61. 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

  62. Yellowfin Tuna

    Ahi Thunnus albacares

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

    Size
    27 in curved fork length min
    Bag
    3 per person per day; no more than 3 per person on board regardless of trip length
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.

    Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.

    NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · 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 2026-10-12

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 Oct 28, 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