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Massachusetts fishing

What's biting in Massachusetts in November: black crappie, brook trout, brown trout and chain pickerel at their peak, with Atlantic cod, bluefin tuna and bluefish around too, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. It follows Massachusetts fishing across 3 waters, with 34 fish-by-water guides for 26 fish.

Updated

What's biting in Massachusetts in November

From the season calendar, best first

Where to fish in Massachusetts

3 waters
Watch Hill to Cape Cod and the Islands

Rhode Island and Cape Cod

November: Big blackfish; the last stripers leave

Fished from Point Judith, Newport, Block Island, Westport, Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, Plymouth.

2,948 charted public spots across the whole water — 1,225 beach / shore access, 569 seawall / riprap, 494 jetty / groin. Open the map in the app to see them.

Rhode Island and Cape Cod, month by month
Boston to Eastport

Gulf of Maine fishing

November: Late bluefin and the groundfish boats

Fished from Boston, Gloucester, Newburyport, Portsmouth, Portland, Boothbay, Bar Harbor.

3,956 charted public spots across the whole water — 1,469 beach / shore access, 667 seawall / riprap, 633 boat ramp. Open the map in the app to see them.

Gulf of Maine fishing, month by month
Quabbin to the Connecticut River

Massachusetts freshwater

November: Late bass

Fished from Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, Deerfield River, Swift River, Connecticut River.

Massachusetts freshwater, month by month

Rules and licence

Size and bag limits and seasons in Massachusetts are set by the MassWildlife and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MassWildlife) and change — read the current rule before you keep a fish.

Statewide rules today

MassWildlife, where no local rule applies
open (Statewide, salt water) · 9" TL minimum · 25 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 9" TL minimum · 25 per person
catch and release only (Statewide, salt water)
catch and release only (Statewide, fresh water)
open (Statewide, salt water) · 16" FL minimum · 5 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, salt water) · no minimum size · 25 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No limit
open (Statewide, salt water) · 16" TL minimum · 4 per person · closes Jan 1 · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, salt water) · no minimum size · 5 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No limit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 3 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 3 per person
catch and release only (Statewide, fresh water)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 15" TL minimum · 5 per person
catch and release only (Statewide, fresh water)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 12" TL minimum · 5 per person
open (Statewide, salt water) · 16" FL minimum · 5 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 28" TL minimum · 1 per person
open (Statewide, salt water) · no minimum size · No limit · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 6 per person
open (Statewide, salt water) · 11" TL minimum · 30 per person · closes Jan 1 · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 12" TL minimum · 5 per person
open (Statewide, salt water) · 28" TL minimum, No fish 31" or longer may be kept · 1 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
closed today (Statewide, salt water, until May 24) · 17.5" TL minimum when open · 5 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, salt water) · 16" TL minimum, One fish over 21" per angler per day · 3 per person · 10 per vessel (private anglers, per vessel) · closes Jan 1 · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 14" TL minimum · 5 per person
open (Statewide, salt water) · 16" TL minimum · 1 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, salt water) · 8" TL minimum · 25 per person · massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No limit
As of 8 November 2026. Source MA Division of Marine Fisheries, checked 5 November 2026 · For education only — rules change. Always confirm with MA Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

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