Purchase or renew 2013 Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing & Recreational Lobster Permits using MassFishHunt via the link below:
Click Here to Get Permit by Internet
Or
To Purchase by Phone Call: 1-866-703-1925
Available by phone Mon-Sun, 5am to 5pm.
*Please have credit card information ready.
**Note: MA Anglers only need the MA Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit. Anglers are no longer required to register with the National Registry. Please see FAQ below
For assistance with rules and regulations pertaining to recreational lobstering or saltwater fishing, please visit our Recreational Regulations page, email us, or call:
Boston: 617-626-1520
Gloucester: 978-282-0308 ext. 150
New Bedford: 508-990-2860 ext. 150
What you'll need to buy permit online:
Date of Birth
A primary Phone Number where the permit holder can be reached
VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express Credit Card
A Printer to print your permit
An email address is highly recommended but not required
Paper Applications:
Download a paper Recreational Saltwater Fishing application by clicking here
Download a paper Recreational Lobster application by clicking here
Download a paper Recreational For-Hire Vessel application by clicking here
Download a 2013 LOA application for Closed Season For-Hire Black Sea Bass Option by clicking here
Paper Applications can be mailed in with a check (if applicable) or brought to one of our permitting facilities. Please note that our Gloucester and New Bedford offices only accept checks or money orders. Our Boston office accepts checks, money orders, or cash (exact change only).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs the MA Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit?
In order to fish recreationally for finfish in Massachusetts marine waters, including up to the first upstream bridge in rivers and streams that flow to the ocean (click here for exceptions to the rule), saltwater fishermen must have:
A MA Recreational Saltwater Fishing permit, or
A recreational saltwater fishing permit from a state that has a reciprocity agreement with Massachusetts. As of February 17, 2011, Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with:
New Hampshire: MA to NHNH to MA
Rhode Island: MA to RIRI to MA
Connecticut: MA to CTCT to MA
What is the cost of the MA Permit?
The annual cost for both residents and non-residents is $10.
Who does not need a permit?
No permit is required for:
Fishermen who are under 16 years of age
Fishermen fishing on permitted for-hire vessels
Fishermen who regardless of their age, otherwise meet the definition of a disabled person in M.G.L. c. 19C
What about people 60 and older?
People 60 and older must obtain a permit but the permit is free for these individuals (although a small fee will be charged by the vendor to process the permit through the internet).
Do all recreational fishermen on a private vessel need to purchase a recreational fishing permit or is there a boat permit available?
All recreational fishermen ages 16 to 59 must purchase an individual permit and those fishermen age 60 or over must obtain a free permit if not fishing aboard a permitted for-hire vessel on a charter or headboat trip. There is no permit available for a private fishing vessel or any type of family permit that covers multiple family members.
Does my for-hire permit allow me to fish recreationally in salt water when not involved in for-hire activity? Yes, it does cover you as an individual angler provided that the for-hire permit is issued in your name. You must have the for-hire permit in your possession.
If I have a Highly Migratory Species permit am I exempt from the MA permit?
If you are finfishing exclusively in federal waters and possess an HMS permit, you do not need a MA permit as long as you do not land any fish in Massachusetts. If you retain fish and bring them back into MA state waters, or you fish in state waters, then you will need the MA permit.
Do I need to sign up for the National Saltwater Angler Registry as I did in 2010 (and pay an additional $15 starting in 2011)? No, the Federal permit no longer covers you to fish in Massachusetts waters. Your MA permit allows you to fish in MA and Federal waters as well as land your fish in Massachusetts. However, if you fish for tuna, billfish, swordfish, and/or sharks you will need a Highly Migratory Species permit from the Federal government.
When does the permit expire? Massachusetts permits expire each year on December 31. All permits must be renewed annually.
How can I obtain a duplicate of my permit if mine is lost or damaged?
You may reprint your permit by going to MassFishHunt or you may call or visit one of our offices and ask for a replacement permit.
Is a saltwater/freshwater fishing combination permit available?
No, not at this time, but you can get all of your permits at the same website: MassFishHunt
How will the permit fee revenues be used?
All permit fees will be deposited in a dedicated account, managed by DMF. An advisory panel will assist DMF in developing programs for the expenditure of all collected funds. In accordance with the state law governing the permit program, the permit fee revenues can only be used to administer the permit program, improve the management of MA's marine recreational fisheries, particularly with regard to developing more accurate assessments of recreational catch and effort, and enhance recreational fishing access opportunities in the state. The permit fee revenues cannot be used for any purpose that is unrelated to marine recreational fishing in MA.
Do I still need to follow all applicable rules and regulations governing marine recreational fishing?
Yes, the permit simply enables you to fish legally, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations. Recreational regulations can be found here.
Where can I get a copy of the Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide? The guide is available on our website by clicking here. If you would like a hard copy of the guide, please contact or stop by one of our offices.
Do I need the MA Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit to go recreational shellfishing or recreational lobstering? No. Recreational shellfishing is allowed in designated clean areas and regulated by the individual cities and towns. Contact your town Department of Natural Resources for local regulations and permit acquisition. Recreational lobstering requires a separate permit that can be obtained through the same website: MassFishHunt
Where can I find the recreational lobster and crabbing rules?
The Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide conatains the recreational lobster and crabbing rules as well as other useful information. The guide is available by clicking here. If you would like a hard copy of the guide, please contact or stop by one of our offices.
Can I harvest green crabs recreationally? Yes, but you must get a letter of authorization (LOA) from DMF to do so. Please contact Kerry Allard for an LOA or more information.
Customer Service
For assistance using MassFishHunt or questions about payments, please call: 1-888-773-8450 or email email info
Help Desk Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8am - 7pm (EST)
Sat: 8am - 5pm (EST)
Sun: Closed
For assistance with rules and regulations pertaining to recreational lobstering or saltwater fishing, please visit our Recreational Regulations page, email us, or call: Boston: 617-626-1520 Gloucester: 978-282-0308 ext. 150
New Bedford: 508-990-2860 ext. 150
Please note that your MassFishHunt transactions will be indicated on your credit card statement as follows: ACT*MADFG MassFishHunt 615-263-4257
2012 Massachusetts Saltwater Angler Permit Survey
Anglers that purchase a 2012 MA Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit may receive a short questionnaire in the mail. Data from this voluntary survey will provide important information to measure the value anglers place on being able to go saltwater recreational fishing in Massachusetts. The questionnaire will only be sent to a small sample of MA permit holders, so if you receive the survey we ask that you please participate in this important research study.
