Massachusetts regulations
Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) Regulations in Massachusetts 2026
Massachusetts trout 2026 open seasons vary by 8 management regions. Statewide rules apply for 3/day and 6″ min. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DFW / DMF.
Rules (24)
- 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"
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 10
- Daily bag
- 8 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
- Gear
- Artificial Only
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Gear
- Artificial Only
- Gear
- Artificial Only
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Other Massachusetts fish regulations
Other regulated species in Massachusetts with current rule pages — same DFW / DMF source, same verification cadence.
- Stripers (Striped Bass)13 rules
- Tog (Tautog / Blackfish)12 rules
- Scup (Porgy)10 rules
- Fluke (Summer Flounder)9 rules
- Lake Trout8 rules
- White Perch8 rules
- Black Sea Bass6 rules
- Northern Pike4 rules
- Bluefish3 rules
- Largemouth Bass3 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)2 rules
- Yellow Perch2 rules
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.