Bluefish rules in Maine
Size, bag and season for recreational bluefish in Maine waters, as published by Maine Department of Marine Resources.
- Size
- No minimum size
- Bag
- 5 fish per angler per day
- Season
- No season restriction listed
Also on the agency page: Circle hooks required with bait; no bait with treble hooks; max two treble hooks per lure.
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 8, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
What to know before you keep one
Bluefish rules are mostly about the bag limit, and a state can set a different bag for for-hire customers than for private anglers.
State water or federal water
Maine rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Bluefish are jointly managed by ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Federal recreational measures apply in federal waters. NOAA Fisheries · bluefish ↗
Across the state line
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | No minimum size | 5 fish per angler per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| New Hampshire | No minimum size stated | 5 fish per day (7 per day from a licensed saltwater for-hire vessel) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Massachusetts | No minimum size | 5 fish (shore and private vessel); 7 fish (for-hire vessel) | Openas of Oct 13 |