Striped bass rules in New Hampshire
Size, bag and season for recreational striped bass in New Hampshire waters, as published by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
- Size
- 28" to less than 31" total length (slot)
- Bag
- 1 fish per day
- Season
- No closed season (open year-round)
Also on the agency page: Fis 603.08, last amended eff 4-15-26 (includes standardized total-length definition, tail squeezed). Corrodible non-offset circle hooks required with bait; no gaffing; no culling; sale prohibited. Primary NHFG page (wildlife.nh.gov) was blocked (403); cell taken from the codified rule.
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 10, 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
Striped bass rules along the coast are built around a slot. A fish below the minimum or above the maximum goes back, so a measuring device on board is part of the rig.
State water or federal water
New Hampshire rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Possession of striped bass is prohibited in federal waters (the EEZ, beyond 3 nautical miles). Fishing for them there is also prohibited. Only state waters can be fished. 50 CFR Part 697 · eCFR ↗
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 | 28"–31" inclusive total length (slot) | 1 fish per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| New Hampshire | 28" to less than 31" total length (slot) | 1 fish per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Massachusetts | 28" to less than 31" total length (slot) | 1 fish | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Rhode Island | 28" to less than 31" total length (slot) | 1 fish per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |