What exactly are the regs. on recreational codfishing, i.e, when does the season end. I have read conflicting things on closures, 3 mile limits, bag limits and closing dates. I would be fishing out of Scituate out to Stone Ledge, about 3-5 miles out. What's the deal ? thanks guys

My MA geography sucks, is Scituate in the Gulf of Maine or SW of Caoe Cod? The two areas have different rules.

http://mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/recreationalfishing/rec_index.htm#finfish

for Recs: its says change pending, but right now it's all year 22"
I got some good ones last week, but we were 30 miles out, still had dogs following them up though :mad:

Those are MA regs. In the gulf of Maine in Federal waters the minimum size is 24 inches, off the southern New England region the minimum is 22 inches. There is also a closed season in federal wtaers in the Gulf of Maine, but no closed season off southern New England.

Charts are on the boat. I believe that Scituate is south of the gulf of Maine, Mass Bay if you will. North of Cape Cod Bay, if that helps. Again I know that there were closures last year, curious about this year. thanks

North of Cape Cod is the gulf of Maine. IIRC the closed season is from December 1st to March 31st, but double check that. Its from memory and since I don't fish there my memory isn't too good. Remember, that's for federal waters, there State of MA has slightly different rules for state waters.

Mike,

I am sure the closure is from 01 November through 31 March. By the way the GOM goes to the shoreline no mater what the state waters are. People who have a permit for fed waters ie: charter party etc, must follow the more stringent rule.

v/r

DKW

Dave,
I'm sure you're right, as I said I don't fish there so my memory about those rules isn't the greatest. I also assumed that he didn't have a federal permit, which also may have been a mistake. Thanks for catching it.

So we're talking Nov 1st ??

YES, November 1st through March 31st

thanks guys