- Division of Marine Fisheries
Over the past year, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Recreational Fisheries Program underwent a rebranding with an updated series of FishMA stickers meant to highlight and connect the amazing recreational fishing community in Massachusetts. Over 15,000 of the colorful and captivating saltwater species stickers have been distributed, each with the invitation to visit mass.gov/FishMA, DMF’s recreational fishing hub. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to engage with the fishing community, build awareness, and increase participation in programs and events.
In addition to the successful sticker updates, the Recreational Fisheries Program celebrated the growth of the saltwater derby and angler education program, along with the success of the striped bass conservation plate fundraising auctions.
Commissioner’s Cup Doubles Entries
In 2025, the Recreational Fisheries Program unveiled the Commissioner’s Cup, an all-new branded campaign for the Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby. The re-energized derby offered more opportunities, updated rules and submission forms to make it easier to enter, and a beautiful new trophy sculpture to highlight anglers of the year. The 2025 derby campaign lured in more anglers, doubling the number of derby entries over the previous year, and included first-time winners of the junior and adult Anglers of the Year award. The 2026 season is just getting started, but with an active leaderboard there are already positive signs that awareness and participation will continue increasing, especially in the popular inshore species catch & release division. The successful season will be punctuated this fall by the Commissioner’s Cup display debuting in Foxborough's Bass Pro Shop at Patriot Place.
Driving Conservation Efforts with Striper License Plates
The Recreational Fisheries Program has an ongoing partnership with the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) to raise awareness and funds for striped bass conservation in Massachusetts. The Striper Conservation specialty plate has been available through the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) for several years, but in October the Program partnered with MET to host their first ever Striped Bass Low Number Plate Auction. The initial 20-plate fundraiser was such a success that they hosted a second 20-plate auction this May. The pair of virtual auctions generated a ton of buzz, engaging over 600 participants and raising over $80,000! The funds will go a long way to support projects and initiatives that bolster striped bass conservation, including educating anglers, improving habitats, and conducting cutting-edge research. For everyone who missed out on bidding for a low number plate this round, it’s not too late! There are plans for three future auctions for the remaining 60 low number plates. Another way to support the striped bass conservation is to register for a Striped Bass Conservation specialty plate right now through the RMV.
Summer Clinics Reel in New Anglers
DMF's Saltwater Angler Education Program has been growing in some amazing ways! In 2025 the program was awarded $10,000 from the Striped Bass License Plate fund to support an initiative to introduce more people to saltwater fishing. The program used the funds to purchase an additional 200 rods and tackles kits to hand out at free saltwater fishing clinics for beginners. The gear giveaway created a unique opportunity for participants to take home the gear and tackle they just learned on, with the hope that they will continue fishing on their own. To break down barriers that may prevent future anglers from ever picking up a rod, the Saltwater Angler Education Program is working hard to make saltwater fishing more accessible and inclusive. In addition to providing gear to new anglers, they also expanded their schedule of coastwide free fishing clinics to new locations and started producing guides and outreach materials in both English and Spanish. By encouraging families and new anglers to try out saltwater fishing, the program hopes to continue growing the recreational fishing community in Massachusetts.
In 2025, the Saltwater Angler Education Program participated in 19 saltwater angler education clinics and supported six other community events through the Rod & Tackle Loan Program. In 2026 the schedule is even busier, with plans to host, co-host, or participate in 24 events, and eight organizations to train in the gear loan program. The clinics have been a hit so far this season, with full registrations and waiting lists. With so much enthusiasm and interest in saltwater fishing, the program is hopeful that they can begin offering intermediate surfcasting classes for anglers who are looking to expand their skills, in addition to growing the number of beginner-level clinics offered. New locations, expanded clinics, and more accessible outreach materials will hopefully inspire new saltwater anglers in Massachusetts.
By the Recreational Fisheries Program
