Maine anglers will have more flexibility on the water this season, as state regulators have adjusted fishing rules for both haddock and bluefish in a move aimed at expanding opportunity while staying within sustainable limits.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources announced the emergency rule changes on Friday, April 3, bringing state regulations in line with recent decisions by NOAA Fisheries and regional fishery managers.
More Room on Haddock
One of the most notable updates affects haddock. Maine officials lowered the minimum size for recreational harvest of haddock from 18 inches to 17 inches.
The adjustment is intended to increase the number of keeper fish without pushing catches beyond the federally established recreational sub-annual catch limit.
Fisheries managers say the tweak maintains a careful balance: giving anglers a better shot at bringing fish home while continuing to safeguard a stock that remains under close watch.
Bluefish Limits Expanded
There’s also good news for those chasing bluefish along Maine’s coast. The daily bag limit has been increased from three fish to five fish per angler.
Bluefish are managed collaboratively by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. A recent stock assessment indicated the species is on track to meet its rebuilding goals, giving managers confidence to ease restrictions slightly.
By adopting the five-fish limit, Maine now matches federal and interstate rules, an important step for recreational anglers who fish across different jurisdictions throughout the Northeast.
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