Fishing: reptiles and amphibians

A fishing license is required to take bullfrogs, green frogs, wood frogs, pickerel frogs, or snapping turtles.

 A freshwater fishing license is required.  Bullfrogs, green frogs, wood frogs, and pickerel frogs may be taken by hand or by hand-held dip net. Snapping turtles may be taken by hand, hand-held dip net, or gaff.

Species	Open season	Daily bag limit	Possession Limit	Size Limit
For Personal Use
Bullfrog, Green Frog	July 16 – Sept. 30	12	24	none
Snapping Turtle	Jan. 1 – Apr. 30 July 17 – Dec. 31	2	2	12 in.*
For Bait
Bullfrog, Green Frog, Pickerel Frog, Wood Frog	Jan. 1 – Dec. 31	10	10	less than 2½ in.**

*Straight line carapace (shell) length

**Snout to vent length

No reptile or amphibian may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts for purposes of sale.

No person shall disturb, harass or take by any means any species of amphibian or reptile listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in 321 CMR 10.90, or any of the following species or their eggs or young:

• Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
• Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
• Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus)
• Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens)
• Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
• Eastern hognosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)