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MASSACHUSETTS Saltwater Post-Release Mortality page 13 2016 RECREATIONAL FISHING GUIDE Recreational Saltwater Massachusetts Saltwater Lobstering and Crabbing Fishing Regulations Fishing Derby Bait & Tackle Shops Commonly Caught Massachusetts Saltwater Species Fishing Calendar Charter & Head Boats DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME SAVE TODAY. VACATION TOMORROW. See how much you could save on boat insurance. for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Offi ce Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all states discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available Some all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by Seaworthy Insurance GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees a GEICO company. Company, GEICO 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. D.C. Washington, Insurance Company, © 2016 GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2016. Contents Post-Release Mortality | 13 Public Access Lobster Gear | 34 Update | 10 Best Handling Practices | 9 Welcome Letter ........................................................ 2 Map of Massachusetts General Information .............................................. 4 Coastal Waters (North) ......................................... 27 Reward for Tagged Fish ......................................... 5 Map of Massachusetts 2016 Saltwater Fishing Permit .............................. 7 Coastal Waters (South) ......................................... 29 Best Handling Practices ......................................... 9 Lobstering and Crabbing..................................... 30 Marine Fisheries Access Properties ................... 12 Bait & Tackle Shop Directory ............................. 38 Fishing Regulations .............................................. 16 Charter & Head Boat Directory .......................... 41 State Fish Records ................................................. 17 How to Measure Your Catch ............................... 17 On the Cover: Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby .......... 18 A Gulf of Maine haddock being reeled to the surface during a Saltwater Fish Availability Calendar ................ 20 tagging trip on Jeffreys Ledge. Commonly Caught Species ................................. 21 Photo by Steve De Neef Steve De Neef is a photojournalist and Access Sites ............................................................. 25 videographer focusing on documentary, conservation and underwater stories. www.stevedeneef.com Welcome Letter Get caught up in the excitement of Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing! Commonwealth of Massachusetts Some places offer a little bit of paradise, but Massachusetts goes Charles D. Baker well beyond that. For those expecting well-deserved relaxation Governor and excitement, and a splendid saltwater fishing experience, Mas- Karen E. Polito sachusetts really delivers. Few go away with unmet expectations Lieutenant Governor because our coastline offers variety in many ways; from striped bass caught surfcasting to winter flounder taken from small boats fishing sandy flats, to swift tunas caught aboard charter vessels. Executive Office of Energy and Our commonly-caught species offer challenge to fishing skills Environmental Affairs easily honed by advice provided in our many bait and tackle shops Matthew A. Beaton or, for children, through MarineFisheries youth fishing clinics. We Secretary never underestimate the importance of instilling love of saltwater Dr. David E. Pierce, Director fishing into the “big game” anglers of tomorrow. Department of Fish and Game This 2016 Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide provides more than just where and when George N. Peterson Jr. to fish. It profiles some of our groundbreaking research — such as post-release mortality of Commissioner hooked fish — commonly done as partnerships with other scientists and fishermen. This research has contributed to a far better understanding of our fisheries and how anglers can Mary-Lee King better contribute to conservation efforts. Deputy Commissioner Another trademark of MarineFisheries is the manner in which we collaborate with recrea- Division of Marine Fisheries tional anglers. We look to your knowledge and opinion on the spending of funds obtained through our recreational saltwater permit. These funds are used to improve shoreline access David E. Pierce for anglers and gain knowledge of the fish we target, ensuring a “user-pay / user-benefit” Director program. Our Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Panel is comprised of five citizens who give us critical advice as to which projects will be of greatest benefit to you, the anglers. January 2016 We appreciate all of our Commonwealth anglers and see, through your numbers, the extent and great importance of our recreational fisheries. We issue over 160,000 permits annually and that number doesn’t include young anglers, anglers on headboats and chartered vessels, and those anglers traveling from neighboring states that have a reciprocal permit. We work hard to provide you with the best possible fishing experience. Our challenge and commitment is to advocate for recreational anglers and promote steps Marine Fisheries to protect and enhance not just target species like tuna, cod, and striped bass but also the Advisory Commission: forage base on which these fish depend. This has become even more important with a shift Mark Amorello - Pembroke in emphasis to ecosystem-based fisheries research and management, and our needing to Chairman understand and respect predator-prey relationships. Vito Calomo - Gloucester Please be resolved this year to make many trips to the water and get caught up. Vice-Chairman Bill Adler - Marshfield Chuck Casella - Georgetown Randy Sigler - Marblehead Joe Huckemeyer - W. Barnstable Ray Kane - Chatham Domenic Santoro - Chatham Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Panel Chuck Casella - Georgetown Chairman Mark Amorello - Pembroke Mike Moss - Millbury Patrick Paquette - Hyannis 2 Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Guide Bill Smith - Pembroke ©2016 Sea Tow Services International, Inc. All rights reserved. International, Inc. Services Tow Sea ©2016 GETTING STUCK IS A HASSLE GETTING TOWED SHOULDN’T BE Make it easy. Become a Sea Tow® Member today and enjoy Peace of Mind on the Water tomorrow. Members get FREE boat towing, fuel drops, jump starts and prop disentanglement. Plus, discounts on insurance, fuel and much more! Why wait? Join today! 800-4-SEATOW \ seatow.com General Information MASSACHUSETTS The Division of Marine Fisheries Saltwater The Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for the manage- ment of the Commonwealth’s living marine resources. The Division promotes and develops commercial and recreational fisheries through research, technical assistance, and the collec- tion of statistics. Biologists are assigned to regions of the state and interact with many federal, interstate, state, and local management agencies as well as private fisheries organizations. For further information contact your local Recreational Fisheries Biologists. Post-Release Visit our Home Page at Mortality page 13 www.mass.gov/marinefisheries 2016 RECREATIONAL FISHING GUIDE Recreational Saltwater Massachusetts Saltwater Lobstering and Crabbing Fishing Regulations Fishing Derby Bait & Tackle Shops Commonly Caught Massachusetts Saltwater To get up to date rule changes and notices you can also join the MarineFisheries Listserv. Species Fishing Calendar Charter & Head Boats DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES This is a notification list only, where you will receive timely information from the Division DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME regarding fishery openings and closings, regulation changes and public hearing notices. We hope to use this Listserv to keep our constituents more informed and reduce our reli- ance on paper mail. Please encourage other interested parties to join this list. The Massachusetts Division of About this Guide Marine Fisheries website has: This high-quality guide is offered to you by the • Commercial and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries recreational regulations through its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin • Saltwater Fishing Publishing, LLC. Derby standings • Permit applications J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house • MarineFisheries publications that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife and much more! regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports MADMF’s staff in the design, layout and editing of the guides. To join the list, They also manage the marketing and sales of adver- send e-mail with nothing in the subject or body to: tising to appropriate businesses within the book. [email protected] The revenue generated through ad sales signifi- cantly lowers production costs and generates sav- ings. These savings translate into additional funds To be removed, for other important fisheries and habitat programs. send e-mail to: If you have any feedback or are interested in adver- [email protected] tising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or online at www.JFGriffin.com Recreational Fisheries Program Biologists Designers: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, South Shore Office: Annisquam Boston Office: Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski Quest Center, River Marine 251 Causeway St., 1213 Purchase St. Fisheries Station: Suite 400 New Bedford, MA 02740 30 Emerson Avenue Boston. MA 02114 (508) 990-2860 Gloucester, MA 01930 (617) 626-1520 FAX: (508) 990-0449 (978) 282-0308 FAX: (617)