What to do when you find young wildlife
Do you know what to do if you find a baby bird, a nest of newborn bunnies, or another young animal in your yard this spring?
The arrival of spring means the arrival of young wildlife. Every year, people take young animals from the wild in a well-intentioned attempt to save them, but this often does more harm than good. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is reminding the public that young wildlife belong in the wild and urging residents to leave young wildlife alone. Finding a young animal alone does not mean it’s been abandoned or needs to be rescued. Adults are often nearby and visit their young only occasionally to avoid detection from predators.
Most people quickly find that they can’t properly care for young wildlife, and many animals soon die in the hands of people trying to help. Young wildlife removed from the wild are also denied important natural learning experiences which help them survive on their own. Even if these animals are released back into the wild, their chances of survival are reduced. Often, the care given to young wildlife results in some attachment to humans and the animals may return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or hit by cars. With little fear of humans, once-tamed wildlife may become nuisances or injure people. It's also important to remember that nearly all wild birds and mammals are protected by law and they may not legally be taken from the wild or kept as pets.
What you should do:
- If you find a baby bird: While baby birds may look helpless, they only need assistance if there are clear signs of injury, like a broken wing.
- If you find a hatchling or nestling (a young bird without feathers) outside the nest, you can try to return it to its nest. If you can't see the nest it came from, you can create an artificial nest by securing a small basket or container to a branch in the same tree or shrub. Contrary to popular belief, the parents will not reject a baby bird if you touch it.
- If you find a fledgling (a young, fully feathered bird) outside the nest, the best thing to do is to leave it alone. The parents are usually nearby still taking care of it while it is spending some time hopping around on the ground learning how to fly. If you find a fledgling near a road or exposed to danger, it can be moved to a safer, sheltered location nearby such as a shrub or bush. Young birds naturally have a low survival rate, which keeps populations in balance with available resources.
- If you find bunnies or other young mammals: Generally, young mammals are visited by their mother only a few times a day to avoid attracting predators to the young. For example, a nest of bunnies will only be visited by the adult female twice per day to nurse the young. The young are generally safe when left alone because their color patterns and lack of scent help them remain undetected. In most cases, it’s best to leave young animals alone.
- If you find a fawn: Young deer are born in late May and early June. Even if you see a fawn alone for several days, you should still leave it alone. The animal may be motionless and seem vulnerable, but this is the normal behavior for a fawn and the mother (doe) is probably feeding or bedded nearby. Fawns are safest when left alone because their camouflaging color helps them remain undetected. Does visit their fawns to nurse very infrequently, a behavior that helps fawns avoid detection by predators. If sympathetic people repeatedly visit a fawn, it can prolong separation from the doe and delay needed feeding. Fawns cannot be cared for by wildlife rehabilitators; if a fawn is visibly injured or found with its dead mother, call MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300. Click here for more information on finding a fawn.
- Keep pets leashed. Keeping pets indoors or restrained helps wildlife, as pets often like to chase and hunt songbirds and other mammals. This also helps your pets avoid health and safety dangers posed by wild animals, other pets, or automobiles.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice. In almost all cases, it’s best to leave wildlife alone and let nature take its course. In the rare case you find a young animal with a dead parent or if you see visible signs of injury, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. An injured wild animal may be assisted, but a person must deliver the animal immediately to a licensed rehabilitator. MassWildlife licenses wildlife rehabilitators who are qualified to care for most injured or truly orphaned wildlife.
For more information on what to do if you find sick, injured, or young wildlife, please click here.
Watch for turtles on the road
Across Massachusetts, spring is the season of movement. Hibernating animals emerge from their winter resting areas in search of food and mates. Turtles are no exception. From mid-May to early July, thousands of turtles throughout Massachusetts travel to new areas to find food and nest. You may see turtles on roadways, in your backyard, or other unexpected locations as they move across the landscape to find resources they need to survive. Even if it’s not apparent to you where they’re headed, turtles have a keen sense of direction and may be on their way to wetlands or open, upland sites such as lawns, gravel pits, or roadsides for nesting. If you find a turtle, do not move it far away.
Protecting adult turtles during this vulnerable time can make a big difference. “Adult turtles can live past 80 years. Young turtles and eggs, on the other hand, have a variety of predators and a low chance of reaching adulthood,” says Dr. Mike Jones, MassWildlife State Herpetologist. "This is why it's especially important to protect older adult turtles from cars, especially during this time of year when turtles are crossing roads more frequently." Losing any adult turtles, particularly adult females, is a serious problem that can lead to the eventual local extinction of a population.
What to do if you see a turtle in or near a road:
- Be safe. Do not risk getting hurt or causing harm to others by unsafely pulling off the road or trying to dodge traffic. If the opportunity to safely move a turtle from the road occurs, move it in the direction it was heading and off the edge of the road. The turtle is trying to get to habitats and resources it needs and knows. Do not take turtles home or move them to a "better” location; turtles should not be moved more than 100 yards from where they are found.
- Handle with care.Most turtles should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. However, snapping turtles are fast and have very powerful jaws that can inflict a bad bite. A snapping turtle can reach your hands if you lift it by the sides of its shell. If you must move a snapping turtle, use a broom to coax it into a plastic tub or box. Never lift a snapping turtle only by the tail; this can injure their spine.
- Slow down, be observant. Watch for turtles on roadways bordered by wetlands on both sides. These areas are commonly used as crossing points. If you see one turtle crossing, there's a chance that others will be crossing soon as well.
- Report busy crossing locations. Let MassWildlife know if you see multiple turtles crossing the road or if you see multiple turtles that have been hit by cars. Email location information to natural.heritage@mass.gov. You can also contact your town Conservation Commission or local conservation groups and support measures to help turtles. Signage, barrier fencing, or seasonal speed bumps can help reduce roadkill.
If you find an injured turtle, you can contact a wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in treating turtles. Spread the word and help protect our native turtles. In addition to five species of sea turtles that frequent our coastal areas, Massachusetts is home to ten native species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Six of the 10 species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.
Take mom fishing
A family fishing trip is a fun way to celebrate Mother’s Day and get everyone together for an outdoor adventure. With the right preparation, you can help make Mother’s Day fishing the perfect gift.
Tips to have the best experience:
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Pick the perfect place. Mom deserves quality time in a scenic area this Mother’s Day. To find places to fish near you, use our Go Fish MA! interactive map. Filter for "featured sites" (using the gray icon in the bottom center of the map) to see some of the spots staff recommend for easiest access. To make a day of it, state parks are also a great option. They often offer extra amenities like picnic tables, grills, walking trails, and bathrooms. To go fishing with younger children, try a place closer to home, and look for open space with enough room for kids to cast.
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Get your gear ready. Pack everything the day before, and let mom relax. Remember to bring your sunscreen, bug spray, and mom's favorite snacks! Click here for a list of recommended items to get started fishing.
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Buy her fishing license as a gift, and tuck it into a handmade card. This gift keeps on giving, as licenses are valid through the end of the year. Kids younger than 15 can fish for free without a license. Licenses are also free for anglers ages 15–17 and anglers ages 70 and older. Get your fishing licenses here.
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Take lots of pictures! Capture that perfect action shot of mom reeling in her catch. Take group selfies to remember the day. Please tag us on social media, so we can see how much fun you’re having! Find us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Plan extra activities. Keep everyone entertained by adding a nature walk, or bringing toys, binoculars, frisbees, playing cards, and anything else your family enjoys.
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Prepare a meal. If someone reels in a keeper, consider bringing it home to make a nice meal for mom.
Time on the water with mom doesn’t have to just last one day. Get out as often as you can, to keep making memories and reeling in those fish!
Discover birds, pollinators, and habitats on a guided walk this spring
Spring is the perfect time of year to see and hear native wildlife in Massachusetts. Join MassWildlife’s experts for a guided walk to explore a biodiversity hotspot near you. Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Walk dates and locations are listed below.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Click here to register today!
You’ll be emailed additional information leading up to the event, including parking instructions. Participants will be notified by email if a walk is cancelled due to weather. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes for walking on uneven ground. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, and a flashlight or headlamp for evening walks.
| Event | Site | Date/Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Marsh Walk | Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Revere | Saturday, May 23, 8–10 a.m. | Partnering with Feminist Bird Club Boston and DCR, explore Boston's only salt marsh for saltmarsh sparrow and other coastal wetland birds. Participants should be prepared for a ~1 mile walk around the property. (Full capacity, waitlist only) |
| Evening Whip-poor-will Walk | Montague Plains WMA, Montague | Friday, May 29, 7:15–9:15 p.m. | The restored habitats of Montague Plains offer the perfect place to experience the iconic whip-poor-will call, along with American woodcock peents, firsthand. Participants should be prepared for a ~1.5 mile over uneven ground. |
| Evening Whip-poor-will Walk | Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick | Saturday, May 30, 7:15–9:15 p.m. | Thanks to over a decade of habitat restoration, Muddy Brook WMA is home to one of the largest inland congregations of whip-poor-will in the state. Join experts from MassWildlife and East Quabbin Land Trust to experience the iconic whip-poor-will song on this 1.5-mile moonlit walk. |
| Birds, Bees, and Wildflowers Walk | Frances Crane WMA, East Falmouth | Saturday, June 27, 9–11 a.m. | Get fired up and ready to grow! Join MassWildlife and Joint Base Cape Cod for a 1.5-mile guided walk through the Frances Crane WMA and learn about the many fire-adapted birds, native pollinators, wildlife, and wildflowers that make their home in this amazing grassland. |
| Evening Whip-poor-will Walk | Herman Covey WMA, Belchertown | Sunday, June 28, 7:30–9:30 p.m. | The restored habitats of Herman Covey WMA offer the perfect place to experience the iconic whip-poor-will call, along with American woodcock peents, firsthand. Participants should be prepared for a ~1.5 mile walk over uneven ground. |
Traveling wildlife need bed and breakfasts too
Just like humans, wildlife relies on places to stay and things to eat while traveling. Discover how our native wildlife benefits from strategic land conservation.
Imagine taking a long trip where the hotels, gas stations, and restaurants have closed—except for a scattered few that are far apart and hard to reach. You might still make it to your destination, but you’d arrive exhausted, stressed, and with few options if something went wrong. For wildlife, conserved lands are not just destinations; they are the inns, layovers, and refueling spots that make movement, survival, and resilience possible.
As habitat loss and degradation threaten our native species, MassWildlife and conservation partners are working to strategically protect a network of places that wildlife need to survive. The conservation community has committed to conserving 30% of Massachusetts by 2030. Achieving this goal will require doubling the current pace of land protection.
But not all land provides the same conservation benefit. Just like planning a trip, there are many variables to consider when selecting lands to conserve to help wildlife thrive. How do different animals and plants move, migrate, or propagate? Where do they rest and eat along the journey? Do they have narrow habitat requirements or are they generalist species that will “lodge” anywhere?
Let’s learn about how strategic land conservation can help wildlife species flourish as they travel across the landscape.
American woodcock: following the thaw line
The American woodcock is a plump, short-legged bird with a long bill whose call and elaborate mating dance signal the arrival of spring. While found across most of the eastern United States, the woodcock depends upon areas of young forests and shrubby old fields, where it probes wet, unfrozen soil for earthworms, snails, millipedes, and other invertebrates to eat.
Each spring, as the thaw line moves northward, woodcock migrate in short spurts just behind the thaw’s leading edge. What is their motivation to follow the thaw line? Birds that arrive first are most likely to secure the best breeding habitat and have the most success attracting a mate. This logical-but-precarious strategy puts these birds at the mercy of changing weather that threatens to shift and trap them within cold and frozen conditions. There is little room for error with this strategy, making it critical that suitable habitat for feeding is continuously available throughout their entire journey.
Conserving land and maintaining patches of young forest habitat across the landscape is key to ensuring woodcock continue to thrive as an important and beloved element of our local and regional heritage.
New England cottontail: the local tourist
New England cottontails are active all year and make their homes in shrubs and young trees that offer dense cover and food. This specialized rabbit is tied to this single habitat type and cannot survive without it—often remaining in the same patch their entire lives. Occasionally, some individuals do pack their bags and travel locally in search of new “accommodations” and potential mates.
This is where landscape connectivity becomes essential. A network of shrubland and regenerating trees gives cottontails the option to disperse. If only one habitat patch exists, the entire population is vulnerable to threats, including disease, land development, or natural habitat succession. Relying on a single site, no matter how large, is like putting all the bunnies in one basket.
MassWildlife, private landowners, and many organizations are working together to create and maintain multiple young forest “homes” across the landscape to conserve New England cottontails and the many species that rely on young forest habitat. Maintaining a network of high-quality habitat helps cottontails move, mix, and expand—boosting genetic diversity and improving their chances of long-term survival.
Moths and bees: stepping-stone travelers
Pollinators, including specialized moths and bees, travel short distances over their lifetimes. They rely on closely situated habitats to feed, reproduce, and disperse. When suitable habitat is not available within flying distance, populations become vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation, making targeted land protection and connectivity essential for their survival.
MassWildlife and our partners are working to conserve declining moths and bees, such as the pink sallow moth, that require ridgetop heathland habitats (see photo at the top of the page). The strategy focuses on protecting and restoring pollinator habitat in a network of patches spaced closely enough to support movement between them. These habitats serve as critical rest stops or stepping-stones for winged travelers, enabling them to reproduce and disperse over time across the landscape. As a result, populations grow stronger and more resilient, with greater genetic diversity and reduced vulnerability to localized stressors.
The journey towards resilience
Landscape conservation does not always require protection of physically adjacent parcels. It can be achieved by thoughtfully aligning land protection and habitat restoration with the life history and movement patterns of the species most in need of conservation.
Wear your life jacket this spring
With nearly 1,500 miles of coastline, four major river systems, and hundreds of lakes and ponds, Massachusetts offers great opportunities to get out on the water. As warmer weather arrives, and to recognize National Safe Boating Week (May 16–22), the Massachusetts Environmental Police and MassWildlife remind boaters and anglers to put safety first by wearing life jackets.
Warmer days of spring can often mask water temperatures that are still dangerously cold. If you capsize or fall overboard, you can develop hypothermia within minutes. Hypothermia, the lowering of your internal body temperature, can make it difficult for you to swim, paddle, or stay afloat. A sudden, unexpected fall into cold water can also cause you to involuntarily gasp and ingest water, which can lead to death by drowning. Your life jacket may not prevent hypothermia, but it will help you stay afloat, and it can save your life. Boating fatality victims were often not wearing life jackets.
Safety advocates recommend all boaters and passengers have a life jacket and wear it at all times while boating.
In Massachusetts, life jackets must be worn by:
- Canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15
- Youth under 12 years old
- Personal watercraft users
- Water skiers
- Stand-up paddleboard users
Youth artist from Hopkinton wins Junior Duck Stamp contest
Clifford Kazanjian from Hopkinton won Best of Show in the 2026 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest. His acrylic on board painting of an red-breasted merganser, "Resurfaced," was selected from 78 entries. Kazanjian’s award-winning work represented Massachusetts at the national JDS contest on April 21. While his artwork did not take the top national prize, Kazanjian was honored with a second place and a cash award in the Sid Crawford Award competition of the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society. Entries for the Sid Crawford are required to be from graduating high school seniors who took a first-place ribbon in their state contest but did not receive any monetary recognition in the national contest.
Students from kindergarten through grade 12 from across the Commonwealth submitted original works of art depicting waterfowl in their natural habitats, demonstrating both artistic talent and a knowledge of the value of wetlands for wildlife. In March, a panel of judges selected the top works of art in each of four age groups.
The Massachusetts JDS Program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with support from the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council. Please support the JDS Program and wetland conservation by purchasing Junior Duck Stamps featuring national winners from previous years. Stamps can be purchased at duckstamp.com.
More about the Junior Duck Stamp Program
Students who participate in the Junior Duck Stamp Program learn about waterfowl, explore waterfowl habitats, and investigate conservation challenges facing ducks, geese, and swans. These learnings are translated into works of art that show what students have discovered about the species’ anatomy and unique characteristics. Students are encouraged to illustrate aquatic vegetation, trees, and plants appropriate for the depicted species’ natural habitat. Feather colors should be appropriate to the time of the year demonstrated by the environment in the painting. To learn more about the Massachusetts JDS Program, visit mass.gov/dfw/jds.
The judging process
At the state level, it takes several rounds of judging to select winners. First, second, and third place, plus honorable mentions are awarded in each of four age categories. One student’s design is selected as “Best of Show” and represents Massachusetts at the National level. Artwork entries are judged based on originality, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition, and suitability for reproduction on a 1.5 x 2-inch stamp.
Judges consider a variety of aesthetic criteria when evaluating artwork including:
- Form: For realistic portrayals, is the waterfowl anatomically accurate? For other art styles, does the form highlight the species' characteristics in an appropriate way?
- Line: Are the details necessary, correct, and effective?
- Color: Are the colors appropriate for the selected species and surrounding habitat? Does the illustration accurately or creatively depict the species of waterfowl in plumage, habitat, and season, in a realistic or decorative depiction of the bird or birds?
- Scale and shape: Is the visual statement appropriate for a 1.5 x 2-inch stamp, or will details be lost when reduced in size? Is the design suited to a horizontal, rectangular stamp shape?
- Clarity of visual symbolism: Does the illustration communicate the purpose of the stamp and can the elements of the illustration be easily identified?
- Spatial division: Are there negative and positive areas within the illustration and do they work together?
- Texture: Are the textures visually and physically appropriate to the species of waterfowl chosen?
Click here to view a selection of JDS artwork from previous years.
Habitat Management Grant webinar
This past April, MassWildlife hosted a webinar about who qualifies for our habitat management grant, how to apply for it, and to share successful recipients from past years. View the webinar and learn more about the process on our Habitat Management Grant webpage.
Forestry project public feedback
MassWildlife is planning the next round of forest management projects to benefit common and rare wildlife. Learn more about this important work and share your feedback by June 5, 2026.
Massachusetts newest member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature
Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Massachusetts is now an official member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global network of more than 1,400 governments and organizations working together to protect biodiversity. This milestone places Massachusetts within the world’s leading coalition focused on advancing the conservation of nature and addressing environmental challenges at a global scale.
“In Massachusetts, we are taking proactive steps to protect the natural resources people rely on, from clean water and open spaces to healthy wildlife," said Governor Maura Healey. “Joining this global network puts Massachusetts at the table with leaders from around the world and gives us access to proven tools and practical solutions we can use here at home. It strengthens our ability to protect our environment, support communities and continue leading by example.”
“Protecting our environment is directly tied to economic growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our coastlines, forests and open spaces bring in visitors, support local jobs and support industries like fishing and outdoor recreation. As part of the IUCN, we can better promote and manage these resources, helping communities grow while ensuring our natural resources remain healthy and accessible for future generations.”
“We are thrilled that Massachusetts has joined IUCN as the first U.S. state to do so alongside California. States, cities and other subnational governments play a critical role in protecting and restoring the world’s biodiversity, and contributing to a more stable, healthier, safer future for us all,” said IUCN Director General, Dr Grethel Aguilar. “Massachusetts is implementing a 25-year biodiversity initiative that aims to conserve 30% of state land and water by 2030, and 40% by 2050, and is addressing development and climate change challenges to ensure greater resilience going forward. As an IUCN Member, Massachusetts is now part of a growing group of subnational governments who are contributing to crucial action on the ground, knowledge exchange, and progress towards achieving conservation targets of global significance.”
Massachusetts and California are the first U.S. states to become members of the IUCN, marking a significant step forward in Massachusetts’ environmental leadership. Membership will strengthen the state’s commitment to biodiversity and climate action and build on the state’s nation-leading Biodiversity Conservation Goals. This ambitious 25-year plan defines a whole-of-government approach to rebuild biodiversity and invest in nature to sustain our health and well-being, food security, and economy. Joining the union also aligns with the investments proposed in Governor Healey’s Mass Ready Act, which helps protect the state’s natural resources and prepare for extreme weather.
“Our membership in the IUCN strengthens the work already underway to protect what makes Massachusetts unique. Our wetlands, forests, and coastlines support local food systems, outdoor recreation, and the health and well-being of our residents,” said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Being part of this global network gives us added support to move this work forward, so we can better protect these resources and keep them accessible for the people who rely on them.”
“From the global to the regional to the local, action at all scales is needed to protect our state’s irreplaceable biodiversity. Biodiversity—the abundance and variety of life—is the foundation for our health and well-being, economy, food security, and future,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “In joining the IUCN, Massachusetts is proud to build on our long legacy of environmental leadership, champion our nation-leading Biodiversity Conservation Goals, contribute our expertise at the global level, and accelerate our work here at home. We are stronger together, and through partnership and collaboration, we can steward a future where both people and wildlife thrive.”
Massachusetts is home to globally rare habitats and threatened coastal shorebirds and sea turtles, whales, salamanders, and dragonflies. It is known for its coastline and fishing communities, rivers and cranberry bogs, farms and orchards, and forests and quiet mountain glens. Today, these species and landscapes face growing pressures from climate change, including flooding and drought that threaten both ecosystems and livelihoods.
By joining IUCN, Massachusetts will strengthen its ability to respond, gaining access to a global network of conservation expertise and resources, and bring our own experience protecting and restoring species and their habitats to the table. Led by the Department of Fish & Game for Massachusetts, this partnership will support ongoing work to protect and restore biodiversity and natural areas, build resilience, and connect the state to broader international efforts focused on the protection of nature and community well-being.
"Massachusetts joining the IUCN sends a powerful signal. By becoming one of the first U.S. states to join this global network, Massachusetts is showing that safeguarding biodiversity is a responsibility we all share,” said Kris Sarri, State Director of the Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. IUCN’s unparalleled expertise and partnerships will strengthen our efforts to protect the lands, waters and wildlife that make this state so extraordinary."
“As a fellow member of the IUCN, the New England Aquarium commends Massachusetts for becoming one of the first two states in the country to join the IUCN network as a subnational member, stepping up as a global leader in advancing conservation and biodiversity,” said Dr. Letise LaFeir, Chief of Conservation and Stewardship at the New England Aquarium. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Commonwealth and other IUCN members to solve ocean challenges, advance policy action, and implement conservation projects worldwide.”
Public hearing: Freshwater fishing regulations
A public hearing will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 6 p.m. via a Zoom webinar. Click this link to register to attend the public hearing. You will receive an email with the instructions for how to join.
Written comments can also be submitted using this online feedback form, or by mail to: MassWildlife Re: Fishing Public Hearing, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
The proposed changes are to 321 CMR 4.01 Taking of Certain Fish Regulations. Full proposed regulatory language is available on this webpage. A summary of the proposed changes are:
- Limits for American eel: Establish a daily bag limit of 25 American eels and a minimum size for harvest of 9 inches year-round. American eels live mostly in freshwater but return to the ocean to spawn. The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) manages the American eel in coastal rivers and MassWildlife manages eel in inland waters. Coastwide, eels are managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). This regulatory proposal seeks to align the freshwater fishing limits with DMF regulations and the ASMFC requirements to protect American eel.
- Limits for trout: Change the trout limit to allow a 6 trout daily bag limit of which no more than 3 can be brook, brown, or tiger trout in any combination in all waters year-round. Currently, trout limits vary based on the time of year, as well as the type of waterbody; this regulatory proposal seeks to increase fishing opportunity, enhance protection of wild trout resources, and simplify the trout regulations by creating one regulation for all waterbodies year-round.
- Atlantic salmon regulations: Remove broodstock salmon limit and amend the list of locations where Atlantic salmon harvest will be allowed in Massachusetts. There are no longer broodstock salmon in Massachusetts waters, so this regulatory proposal seeks to update outdated language.
- Fish possession definition: Amend the definition of possession to include language allowing the temporary possession of a fish in excess of the legal bag limit if that fish is to be immediately released. Currently, if an angler hits their daily bag limit, they need to stop fishing. This regulatory proposal allows anglers the ability continue to fish catch and release after reaching their daily bag limit.
MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to information, public processes, resources, and programs to ensure all have the opportunity to meaningfully engage with our work and all voices are heard. Every effort will be made to provide live interpretation in 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Português, Español, and Tiếng Việt. American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning will also be provided. To request additional languages, please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov.
Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation, please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-626-1282; an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.