New Hampshire state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Atlantic codPale lateral line, no thumbprint. Tell them apart
PollockNo thumbprint, undershot jaw. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
New Hampshire state record
NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
BLACK lateral line and the 'devil's thumbprint' smudge above the pectoral; tall pointed first dorsal. More on the haddock page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Haddock in other states7 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for haddock in New Hampshire?
17 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many haddock can you keep in New Hampshire?
15 per day.
When is haddock season in New Hampshire?
Open year-round except Mar 1 – Mar 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the New Hampshire record haddock?
10 lb 10.75 oz, Gulf of Maine, Rye (1988).
How current is this New Hampshire haddock rule?
Source: NH F&G 2026, last checked Sep 10, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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