Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

Love to fish? If you're 16 or older, you need a recreational saltwater fishing permit.
If you order a permit online or in person, you will receive your permit the same day.

Division of Marine Fisheries

Division of Marine Fisheries - Gloucester Office

Online

DMF Staff Directory View 

Division of Marine Fisheries - New Bedford Office

Online

DMF Staff Directory Contact DMF staff 

The Details   of Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

What you need   for Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

  • To get a saltwater fishing permit, you'll need to provide your personal information.
  • If purchasing online, you'll also need a debit or credit card.

Fees   for Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

There is no cost difference for residents and non-residents. Although there is no fee to anglers 60 years and older, you must still get a permit.

Name Fee Unit
Saltwater fishing permit (anglers under 60) $10 per person
Saltwater fishing permit (anglers 60 and over) $0 per person

How to get   Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

You can buy your saltwater fishing permit by accessing the MassFishHunt portal. The website will walk you through getting your permit.

When you purchase a $10 permit online, there's an additional $1.68 fee, including for free permits ($1.45 administrative handling and a $0.23 convenience fee).

Please note that your MassFishHunt transaction will be indicated on your debit or credit card statement as follows:

MASSFISHHUNT

Download the paper application for recreational saltwater fishing permit. Mail completed applications with a check payable to:

Division of Marine Fisheries
836 S. Rodney French Blvd. 
New Bedford, MA 02744

or 

Division of Marine Fisheries
30 Emerson Avenue 
Gloucester, MA 01930

You can get your permit in person at our Gloucester, or New Bedford offices. Our Gloucester and New Bedford offices only accept checks or money orders. Those offices are open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Permits can also be bought at one of our approved vendor locations.

Next steps   for Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

Print/Re-print your permit

You can print or re-print your permit anytime by logging into MassFishHunt and clicking on Inventory/Reprint License.

More info   for Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

Whether you print your permit or have it stored on your mobile device, you must always have a version of your current fishing permit with you when saltwater fishing in Massachusetts.

The process for getting your permit is the same for new, returning, and 60+ anglers. 

Permits expire each year on December 31. 

Who needs a permit?

All anglers are required to have a MA saltwater fishing permit, except;
 

  • Anglers under 16.
  • Anglers fishing on permitted for-hire vessels (for example, head boats and/or chartered boats)
  • Anglers who meet the definition of a disabled person in M.G.L. c. 19C.
  • Non-residents with a valid CT, NH, or RI recreational saltwater fishing permit.

Reciprocity agreements 

Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with:

These agreements allow MA recreational saltwater permit holders to recreationally fish in NH, RI, CT, and ME. Read each agreement for specific details. Be aware that regulations vary from state to state.

Downloads   for Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

Contact   for Get a Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit

Address
Gloucester Field Office
30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
Online
DMF Staff Directory View 
Fax
(617) 727-3337
Address
836 S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02744
Online
DMF Staff Directory Contact DMF staff 
Fax
(508) 990-0449

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback