Good day anglers and Captains,
First off, thank you for participating in saltwater fishing here in Massachusetts. While it may be a bit (too much?) of a secret, we all know just how great fishing is in the Commonwealth, and how fortunate we are to have such a wealth of different species and experiences available to us. We don’t talk about just how good it is here enough and we also don’t talk about how important all of you are to the experience. Your interest and participation in our coastal waters drives the Recreational Program at DMF and the funds provided through permit sales are what allows DMF to do much of the important work we pursue to improve your fishing. Whether it is research to better understand striped bass post-release mortality, restoration projects to increase forage fish, or the creation or improvement of public access sites throughout coastal Massachusetts, none of this work is possible without you. We at DMF aim to communicate that, and what you get with your permit fees, more directly in the coming months and years.
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Photo courtesy of Capt. Carl Bois, Topspin Fishing
While some of us might have Memorial Day circled as our official start of the season, fishing in 2024 is already well underway and has been off to a hot startavailable or seasons open. We’ve enjoyed seeing what everyone is catching and hearing the positive reports come in.
If you're looking for a this year, try fishing for a new species or a different method of fishing. It’s amazing how branching out will make you a better all-around angler and teach you tips and skills to bring to all your angling adventures. Another great way to pick up knowledge fast is to book a trip with one of the many excellent for-hire operators in Massachusetts. Our Captains are some of the best in the country and love providing a great day of fishing while teaching their clients about the local waters and how to improve as anglers. You can find a directory of Charter and Head Boats and much more in our 2024 Saltwater Fishing Guide. |
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A great way for all anglers and Captains to help share your stories and catches is to participate in the Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby! Every year, DMF holds the Derby as a way to recognize the phenomenal fishing talent and catches we see. At an end-of-season awards ceremony, we recognize entries for many species as well as Top Angler and Junior Anglers of the Year, as well as the tackle shops and for-hire Captains that play such a big role in teaching anglers and helping put folks on fish. The Recreational Fisheries Program has some big plans for the Derby this year and next, and that starts with getting all of you to participate by entering fish and sending us your pictures and stories! We would love to feature our anglers in newsletters and social media, so please reach out by email to Saltwater.Derby@mass.gov.
2023 Angler of the Year Tom Moyniham (left) and 2023 Junior Angler of the Year Lola Crisp (right).
If you're looking to contribute to fisheries science this summer, DMF also has several opportunities that we’d love to have you involved in. First up, we're continuing our Striped Bass Citizen Science Project for a second year. Catch and release mortality is a huge issue for striped bass management and based on current estimates may make up as much as 50% of the total number of striped bass that die from fishing every year. This estimate is based on a blanket post-release mortality rate, and DMF is actively trying to understand how different tackle and hook types change that rate. Another great opportunity to help us collect data for management is the Sportfish Angler Data Collection Team (SADCT). The SADCT program collects important data like length and age (from scale samples) on popular species like striped bass, black sea bass, and summer flounder. These samples are vital to our stock assessment efforts and understanding what you are catching and how the populations of these fish are faring. We need you and your fishing experience to help us understand and improve our great fisheries. Please consider signing up for one or both of these excellent programs today.
Before you head out fishing, make sure to check out the current 2024 regulations for private and for-hire anglers. In 2024, we have the same slot limit as last year for striped bass (28-31”) but we have seen changes for many other fish, including summer flounder and scup. Additionally, make sure to check the DMF website for current regulations for cod and haddock, as those may change during the season depending on coordinated rule-making in federal waters.
We hope that you're as excited as we are about the 2024 fishing season. From scup to bluefin tuna, Massachusetts has an opportunity for all ages, interests, and abilities. Get outside and enjoy the fishing this season and help spread the joy and grow our fishing community by teaching a kid to fish or inviting an interested adult who never had the opportunity. And as always, please reach out to us with any questions or suggestions at marine.fish@mass.gov, we want to hear from you!
Your DMF Recreational Fishing Team
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