Massachusetts regulations
Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) Regulations in Massachusetts 2026
Massachusetts Trout regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 8 fish/day; Season end Sep 10; Season start Apr 1. Sourced from DFW / DMF.
Rules (24)
Massachusetts statewide
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 6"
- Min size
- 6"
- Min size
- 6"
- Min size
- 6"
From Sept. 11 to Mar. 31, no more than 3 of these trout may be taken daily. combined statewide general trout limit applies; specific waters may differ
All Other Rivers And BrooksIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 10
- Daily bag
- 8 fish/day
Deerfield River Lower Section
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Pelham Brook to the Mohawk Campground; catch-and-release area
Deerfield River Upper Section
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Fife Brook Dam to Hoosac Tunnel; catch-and-release area
Housatonic RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Lakes, Ponds, Major RiversOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Millers River Lower Section
- Gear
- Artificial Only
From Wendell Road bridge in Orange to breached dam in Erving Center; catch-and-release area
Millers River Upper Section
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Templeton/Athol railroad bridge to first dam in Athol; catch-and-release area
South Pond (Quacumquasit), Brookfield
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Total daily limit is 3 trout, only 1 may be a brown trout and it must be at least 15 inches.
Also known as
Trout is also called Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow), Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Tiger Trout. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Massachusetts.
Frequently asked questions
When is Trout season in Massachusetts?
Trout season in Massachusetts runs from Apr 1 to Sep 10 per DFW / DMF.
What is the size limit for Trout in Massachusetts?
Minimum size for Trout in Massachusetts is 20 inches in Housatonic River, per DFW / DMF. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Trout in Massachusetts?
Daily bag limit for Trout in Massachusetts is 8 fish/day in All Other Rivers And Brooks, per DFW / DMF.
Official sources cited
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DFW / DMF before keeping a catch. Last verified .