Massachusetts law about recreational hunting and fishing

Laws, regulations, cases, and web sources on recreational hunting and fishing law.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question, please contact our law librarians for assistance.

Web sources

Hunting

Hunting, Mass.gov.
A topical list of hunting information, including:

• Hunting licenses, permits, and reporting harvests
• Hunter education courses
• Hunting information for minors
• Where to hunt in Massachusetts
• Accessible hunting

Apply for a crossbow permit, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
If you have a permanent disability and would like to hunt with a crossbow, you can apply for a permit.

Hunting at Cape Cod National Seashore, National Park Service.
Hunting is permitted for deer, upland game, and migratory waterfowl. There is no open season on non-game species.

Hunting with a firearm in Massachusetts, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
"Massachusetts residents 15 years and older who wish to possess, carry, and transport firearms, ammunition, and feeding devices are required to have a firearms license. Firearms licenses are issued by municipal police departments."

Fishing

Freshwater

Freshwater fishing, Mass.gov.
A topical list of freshwater fishing information, including:

• Fishing licenses and permits
• General information about freshwater fishing
• Where to fish

Saltwater

Recreational saltwater fishing, Mass.gov.
A topical list of recreational saltwater fishing information, including:

• Fishing licenses and permits
• Fishing and boating access
• General information about recreational saltwater fishing
• Lobster fishing

Shellfishing and clamming

Shellfishing is easy, fun, and tasty adventure for children and families, Visit New England.
Information on noncommercial digging for clams, oysters and mussels. Many coastal towns in Massachusetts have control over the local shellfisheries, including permitting and regulations. Check city and town websites for more information.

Hunting and Fishing Guides

Downloadable PDFs of annual guides that provide comprehensive and updated information on hunting and fishing in Massachusetts:

• The Massachusetts guide to hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping laws, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
• The Massachusetts saltwater recreational fishing guide, Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries.

Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 130 Marine fish and fisheries

MGL c. 131 Inland fisheries and game and other natural resources

MGL c. 131B Interstate wildlife violator compact

Massachusetts and federal regulations

Massachusetts

302 CMR 12.11 Hunting, fishing and trapping in state parks

313 CMR 11.13 Deer management program in the Quabbin Reservoir area

321 CMR 2 Miscellaneous regulations relating to fisheries and wildlife 

321 CMR 3 Hunting 

321 CMR 4 Fishing 

322 CMR Division of Marine Fisheries
The Division of Marine Fisheries manages the state’s commercial and recreational saltwater fisheries and oversees other services that support the marine environment and fishing communities.

Freshwaterfishing regulations, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Includes information on fishing seasons, fishing limits, and other fishing regulations.

Hunting regulations, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Provides a summary of the regulations and statutes that relate to hunting and trapping in Massachusetts, including activities that are prohibited.

Recreational saltwater fishing regulations, Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries.
Includes fishing limits and size regulations for fish and shellfish.

Federal

50 CFR 32 Hunting and fishing

State agencies and reporting violations

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
Primary resource for official information about freshwater fishing and hunting, as well as Massachusetts wildlife and conservation.

Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
Primary resource for official information about saltwater fishing, lobstering, and crabbing.

Report a violation

Massachusetts Environmental Police
Protects the environment and natural resources of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through enforcement, education, and public outreach.

• If a violation is currently in progress, call the dispatch office at [phone]
• Online violation reporting form

Selected cases

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."

Print sources

The little book of hunting and fishing by Cecil C. Kuhne III, American Bar Association, c2011. (eBook available with library card)

Massachusetts environmental law, 5^th ed., MCLE, 2024.
Chapter 8: "Fisheries and Wildlife Law."

Last updated:	June 15, 2026