Tautog rules in Massachusetts
Size, bag and season for recreational tautog in Massachusetts waters, as published by Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
- Size
- 16" minimum; only 1 fish per person per day may exceed 21"
- Bag
- 3 fish (Apr 1 – May 31); 1 fish (Jun 1 – Jul 31); 3 fish (Aug 1 – Oct 14); 5 fish (Oct 15 – Dec 31)
- Season
- April 1 – December 31 (limit varies by period)
Also on the agency page: Private anglers subject to 10-fish per-vessel maximum (most restrictive of angler or vessel limit applies); vessel cap not on for-hire poster.
This rule has area, mode or permit conditions that do not fit in a summary. Read the agency page before you keep a fish.
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
Tautog seasons are commonly split into windows around the spring spawn, and the bag limit can change from one window to the next. Check the window that covers your trip date.
State water or federal water
Massachusetts rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Tautog are managed by the states through ASMFC. Most of the fishery takes place on structure inside state waters. ASMFC · tautog ↗
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 | No bag limit | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Massachusetts | 16" minimum; only 1 fish per person per day may exceed 21" | 3 fish (Apr 1 – May 31); 1 fish (Jun 1 – Jul 31); 3 fish (Aug 1 – Oct 14); 5 fish (Oct 15 – Dec 31) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Rhode Island | 16" minimum; only one fish may be greater than 21" | 3 fish per person per day (Apr 1 – May 31 and Aug 1 – Oct 14); 5 fish per person per day (Oct 15 – Dec 31) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Connecticut | 16" minimum | 2 fish (Apr 1–30); 2 fish (Jul 1–Aug 31); 3 fish (Oct 10–Nov 28) per angler | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Nov 28 |