Best bets
Mass. Div. of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
Primary resource for official information about freshwater fishing and hunting.
Mass. Div. of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
Primary resource for official information about saltwater fishing, lobstering, and crabbing.
The Massachusetts guide to hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping Laws
Each year, MassWildlife publishes a guide containing a summary of laws and regulations for the current year. Some people refer to this publication as “the Abstracts” or “the Guide.”
Massachusetts saltwater recreational fishing guide
Comprehensive guide to regulations, species, access sites, bait and tackle shops, and more, updated annually.
Massachusetts laws
MGL c. 130 Marine Fish and Fisheries. See also, sections that have been recently added, amended, or repealed:
- § 40 Closed season on edible crabs Repealed, effective December 11, 2020
- § 44 Sale or possession of short lobsters; mutilation of short lobsters; prima facie evidence
MGL c. 131 Inland Fisheries and Game. See also, sections that have been recently added or amended:
- § 2C George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund; funding sources; appropriations
Massachusetts regulations
Federal regulations
50 CFR 32 Hunting and Fishing
Selected case law
Dapson v Daly 257 Mass. 195 (1926)
"…the title to wild animals and game is in the Commonwealth in trust for the public, to be devoted to the common welfare…"
Web sources
About the hunter education courses
Basic required course as well as advanced classes
Apply for a crossbow permit
If you have a permanent disability and want to hunt with a crossbow, you can apply for a permit.
MassFishHunt licensing and harvest reporting
Contains information on freshwater fishing and hunting license types and fees, how to obtain licenses and permits, and walk-in locations to obtain licenses.
MassWildlife lands viewer
Tool to create customizable maps showing wildlife lands open to hunting, fishing, trapping and other recreation activity jointly owned by the Department of Fish and Game(DFG) and MassWildlife throughout the Commonwealth
Recreational shellfishing and clamming
Information on noncommercial digging for clams, oysters and mussels. Permits and regulations are issued by coastal towns.
Take me fishing
Resource by state to all things fishing-related, including regulations, licenses, places to fish, fishing reports, educational programs and events, species of fish, and fishing techniques
Print sources
- Massachusetts environmental law, edited by Gregor I. McGregor. 4th ed., MCLE, 2016 loose-leaf. Chapter 8 – "Fisheries and Wildlife Law"
Contact
Online
| Last updated: | June 23, 2021 |
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