One-Fish Cod Season Opens in Gulf of Maine

SUMMARY: A fishing season allowing anglers to keep one cod (minimum size 22 inches) from federal Gulf of Maine waters opened on September 1, 2022 and will close on October 7. Also, the haddock limit has increased by 5 fish per day to 20 fish. While these regulatory changes were implemented for federal waters by NOAA Fisheries (Federal Register), coastal states are expected to match the federal limits. See the announcement below from Massachusetts DMF:

Effective today, new regulations impact the recreational fishing limits for Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and haddock. These rules apply to within the Gulf of Maine Groundfish Management Area, which includes all state waters north of Cape Cod, including Cape Cod Bay, the Cape Cod Canal, and those state waters east of Cape Cod north of 42°00’ north latitude. DMF is currently conducting a public comment period on adopting these emergency regulations, as well as the recently filed recreational Georges Bank cod limits, as final regulations (see Notice).

This state regulatory action complements adjustments to federal fishing regulations implemented earlier today by NOAA Fisheries (Federal Register). By matching the federal limits, DMF is ensuring recreational anglers can lawfully possess and land catch taken in federal waters in the Commonwealth.

Gulf of Maine Cod

For GOM cod, the open seasons will occur from September 1 – October 7 and April 1 – April 14 with a 1-fish bag limit and 22-inch minimum size. This extends the open season during the fall by three weeks and increases the minimum size by 1-inch.

Gulf of Maine Haddock

For GOM haddock, the open season will occur from April 1 – February 28 with a 20-fish bag limit and 17-inch minimum size. This increases the bag limit by 5-fish per angler while maintaining the existing open season and size limit.