About New England Saltwater Fishing
This page has information about New England saltwater fishing.
Table of Contents
- New England Saltwater Fishing States
- New England Links
- USA Recreational Saltwater Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing Books
- New England Commercial Fishing Books
- Cod T Shirts and Gifts
- New England Saltwater Fish
- New England Fish Lenses
- Seafood News
- Saltwater Fishing Lenses
- Maasachusetts Fishing Registry - Saltwater Fishing Permit Needed for 2011
- Sea Fish
- Game Fish of the Saltwater
- Tuna of the World
- Billfish of the World
- Reader Feedback
New England Saltwater Fishing States
New England states that border the Atlantic include Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
New England Links
- Fresh Seafood
- Information about every aspect of buying, cooking and enjoying fresh seafood locally or online. Included are seafood recipes and articles on buying, cooking and enjoying fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and other seafood.
- Commercial Fishing
- A resource for commercial fishing, aquaculture, online seafood vendors, seafood wholesalers, bait dealers, equipment suppliers, fishermen, commercial boat builders and anyone interested in commercial fishing.
- Worldwide Charter - Guide Directory
- Charter boats, hunting and fishing guides, sailboats, eco-tourism, outdoor adventures and more.
USA Recreational Saltwater Fishing
USA Recreational Saltwater Fishing
Marine recreational anglers caught more than 468 million fish in 2007,
down slightly from last year's historic high of 475 million fish, but
still the second highest recreational catch total in the last ten
years. The overall number of fish caught and kept also declined
slightly, from 214 million to 196 million fish, according to NOAA
Fisheries Service.
The 2007 data demonstrates a widespread turn toward "catch and
release" among recreational anglers. While anglers are catching about
27 percent more fish than a decade ago, they are also releasing more
fish than they keep. Of the 468 million fish caught by anglers in
2007, 272 million or 58 percent were released alive. The percentage of
fish released into the environment has increased steadily from about
51 percent in 1993.
Spotted seatrout was the most popular catch among marine recreational
anglers. The species is caught in the Gulf of Mexico and the south
Atlantic regions, which have the highest combined concentration of
saltwater anglers in the nation. The top catches in other regions were
lane snapper (Caribbean), striped bass (North Atlantic), Atlantic
croaker (Mid-Atlantic), chub mackerel (Pacific), black rockfish (
Pacific Northwest), and bigeye scad (Western Pacific).
Marine recreational anglers caught more than 468 million fish in 2007,
down slightly from last year's historic high of 475 million fish, but
still the second highest recreational catch total in the last ten
years. The overall number of fish caught and kept also declined
slightly, from 214 million to 196 million fish, according to NOAA
Fisheries Service.
The 2007 data demonstrates a widespread turn toward "catch and
release" among recreational anglers. While anglers are catching about
27 percent more fish than a decade ago, they are also releasing more
fish than they keep. Of the 468 million fish caught by anglers in
2007, 272 million or 58 percent were released alive. The percentage of
fish released into the environment has increased steadily from about
51 percent in 1993.
Spotted seatrout was the most popular catch among marine recreational
anglers. The species is caught in the Gulf of Mexico and the south
Atlantic regions, which have the highest combined concentration of
saltwater anglers in the nation. The top catches in other regions were
lane snapper (Caribbean), striped bass (North Atlantic), Atlantic
croaker (Mid-Atlantic), chub mackerel (Pacific), black rockfish (
Pacific Northwest), and bigeye scad (Western Pacific).
Saltwater Fishing Books
Complete Guide to Saltwater Fishing (Outdoorsman's Edge) by Al Ristori
Stronger, faster, and better fighters than their f more...0 points
Offshore Pursuit: A Guide to Fishing Atlantic Blue Water by John Unkart
Learn how to rig trolling baits like the pros do, more...0 points
Saltwater Fishing: A Tactical Approach by Jim Freda
Three of New Jersey's best-known charter captains more...0 points
Saltwater Fishing: Revised Edition (Edge Books) by Salas, Laura Purdie
Some people catch fish for money, while others go more...0 points
Surrounded By Sea: Life On A New England Fishing Island by Gail Gibbons
Discover what life is like season by season when y more...0 points
Fishing New England : A Cape Cod Shore Guide by Gene Bourque
For the first time, a comprehensive guide to the p more...0 points
Fishing New England: A Boater's Guide to Cape Cod & The Islands by Gene Bourque
Rock piles and rips, shallow sand flats and estuar more...0 points
Fishing New England: A Rhode Island Shore Guide by Gene Bourque
Fishing New England-A Rhode Island Shore Guide lis more...0 points
New England Commercial Fishing Books
The Fishes of the Sea: Commercial and Sport Fishing in New England by Dave Preble
In this wide-ranging book Dave Preble, who has spe more...0 points
Cod T Shirts and Gifts
New England Saltwater Fish
Striped Bass
Striped bass have several regional names. Known as striped bass, stripers, linesides, rockfish and other names, this fish is highly sought after as a recreational fish, as a commercial species and is even grown in aquaculture operations. Striped bass are fished for extensively in New England and are caught along the shore, around structure and by fishing baits and lures along rips, shoals and other structure.
Weakfish
Weakfish are beautiful fish. Typically, fish have a dark olive back, iridescent blue and copper sides and a silvery white belly. Other identifying features are yellow fins, large canine teeth in the upper jaw and dark spots on the upper part of the body, sometimes forming diagonal lines. Most adult weakfish range from 12 to 18 inches but can grow up to to 3 feet long and weigh 4-18 pounds.
The name "weakfish" comes from the fish's fragile mouth, which tears easily when hooked. Weakfish are members of the drum family, which includes spot, red drum, back drum and Atlantic croaker. This family of fish make a drumming or croaking sound by vibrating its swim bladder using special muscles.
Bluefish
Bluefish are exciting to catch and are highly sought after in New England. They are found all along the coast, sometimes in large schools. The fish are voracious feeders and are known for their sharp teeth and ability to demolish even the strongest tackle.
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic cod are caught along the Northeast coast of North American and in many parts of the North Atlantic Ocean. Cod are cool water fish. They have a delicious mild white flesh and are well suited for a variety of cooking methods.
Atlantic Haddock
Haddock is mild white fish known for its excellent table quality. Haddock is a great source of low-fat protein and is high in magnesium and selenium.
Fresh haddock has a fine white flesh and can be cooked in the same ways as cod. Small fresh haddock and cod fillets are often sold as scrod in New England The term refers to the size of the fish which have a variety of sizes, i.e. scrod, markets, and cows.
Tautog
Tautog are stout bodied fish with a blunt nose. They are equipped with a thick-lipped mouth that has large conical teeth in front and flat crushing teeth in back. The single dorsal fin possesses a series of stiff, sharp spines, originates over the gill slit and runs back nearly to the tail. The color of the tautog's body ranges from dark green to black, with these shades mottling a lighter background color of the sides. The belly is only slightly lighter than the sides.
Tautog are very slow growing. Large tautog caught with hook-and-line sometimes exceed 20 pounds although typically anglers may catch fish that weigh 2 to 10 pounds. Males typically grow faster and live longer than females. The maximum age for males appears to be about 35 years.
Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Fluke, also known as summer flounder are primarily found around inlets, jetties and dropoffs. They feed on a variety of small fish and crustaceans. Fluke are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England.
Winter Flounder
Winter flounder are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Inshore habitat degradation and overfishing have contributed to serious stock declines throughout the species' range, leaving both fisheries at a fraction of their historical numbers.
Yellowtail Flounder
Yellowtail flounder reach maximum sizes of roughly 22 inches total length and 2.2 pounds in weight. They are found along the Atlantic coast of North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labrador, and Newfoundland to the Chesapeake Bay. Yellowtail flounder prefer sandy bottoms in waters between 130 and 230 feet.
Striped bass have several regional names. Known as striped bass, stripers, linesides, rockfish and other names, this fish is highly sought after as a recreational fish, as a commercial species and is even grown in aquaculture operations. Striped bass are fished for extensively in New England and are caught along the shore, around structure and by fishing baits and lures along rips, shoals and other structure.
Weakfish
Weakfish are beautiful fish. Typically, fish have a dark olive back, iridescent blue and copper sides and a silvery white belly. Other identifying features are yellow fins, large canine teeth in the upper jaw and dark spots on the upper part of the body, sometimes forming diagonal lines. Most adult weakfish range from 12 to 18 inches but can grow up to to 3 feet long and weigh 4-18 pounds.
The name "weakfish" comes from the fish's fragile mouth, which tears easily when hooked. Weakfish are members of the drum family, which includes spot, red drum, back drum and Atlantic croaker. This family of fish make a drumming or croaking sound by vibrating its swim bladder using special muscles.
Bluefish
Bluefish are exciting to catch and are highly sought after in New England. They are found all along the coast, sometimes in large schools. The fish are voracious feeders and are known for their sharp teeth and ability to demolish even the strongest tackle.
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic cod are caught along the Northeast coast of North American and in many parts of the North Atlantic Ocean. Cod are cool water fish. They have a delicious mild white flesh and are well suited for a variety of cooking methods.
Atlantic Haddock
Haddock is mild white fish known for its excellent table quality. Haddock is a great source of low-fat protein and is high in magnesium and selenium.
Fresh haddock has a fine white flesh and can be cooked in the same ways as cod. Small fresh haddock and cod fillets are often sold as scrod in New England The term refers to the size of the fish which have a variety of sizes, i.e. scrod, markets, and cows.
Tautog
Tautog are stout bodied fish with a blunt nose. They are equipped with a thick-lipped mouth that has large conical teeth in front and flat crushing teeth in back. The single dorsal fin possesses a series of stiff, sharp spines, originates over the gill slit and runs back nearly to the tail. The color of the tautog's body ranges from dark green to black, with these shades mottling a lighter background color of the sides. The belly is only slightly lighter than the sides.
Tautog are very slow growing. Large tautog caught with hook-and-line sometimes exceed 20 pounds although typically anglers may catch fish that weigh 2 to 10 pounds. Males typically grow faster and live longer than females. The maximum age for males appears to be about 35 years.
Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Fluke, also known as summer flounder are primarily found around inlets, jetties and dropoffs. They feed on a variety of small fish and crustaceans. Fluke are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England.
Winter Flounder
Winter flounder are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Inshore habitat degradation and overfishing have contributed to serious stock declines throughout the species' range, leaving both fisheries at a fraction of their historical numbers.
Yellowtail Flounder
Yellowtail flounder reach maximum sizes of roughly 22 inches total length and 2.2 pounds in weight. They are found along the Atlantic coast of North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labrador, and Newfoundland to the Chesapeake Bay. Yellowtail flounder prefer sandy bottoms in waters between 130 and 230 feet.
New England Fish Lenses
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Monkfish
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This page has Monkfish information, links and sections where fresh monkfish is available for sale.
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Striped Bass
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This page has striped bass information, techniques, rigs, recipes, pictures, artwork and more. Striped bass are also known as "rockfish" in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia and North Carolina.
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Yellowtail Flounder
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Yellowtail flounder are fish found off the coast of New England, USA.
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Atlantic Haddock
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This page has Atlantic haddock information, pictures, links and news.
Seafood News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySaltwater Fishing Lenses
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Commercial Fishing
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This page is about commercial fishing and seafood harvesting.
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Mid Atlantic Saltwater Fishing
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This page has information on saltwater fishing along the mid Atlantic coast of the USA. This includes bay, inshore and offshore fishing from New York to North Carolina.
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Saltwater Fishing
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This page has basic information on saltwater fishing. Recreational fishing is the most popular outdoor activity in the USA and much of that is done in saltwater. Saltwater fishing has many forms with something for nearly everyon...
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Pacific Northwest Saltwater Fishing
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This page discusses saltwater fishing in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This includes recreational and commercial fishing in the states of Oregon, Washington and Alaska in the USA and B.C. Canada.
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Gulf Coast Saltwater Fishing
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This page has information about saltwater fishing along the USA Gulf Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Maasachusetts Fishing Registry - Saltwater Fishing Permit Needed for 2011
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - Governor Deval Patrick has signed legislation creating a state saltwater fishing registry that requires saltwater anglers to purchase permits to fish in coastal waters starting in 2011, with proceeds benefitting state marine fisheries programs that improve public access and resource management.
"Many stakeholders have worked together to protect the state's interests in designing this legislation," Governor Patrick said. "I thank the legislators and recreational fishing organizations who crafted this measure and were instrumental in its passage."
"By signing this legislation into law, Governor Patrick demonstrates the Commonwealth's commitment to collecting recreational fishing data in order to comply with federal requirements, which will lead to better management of fisheries off our coast," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles.
In 2006, the United States Congress amended the Magnuson-Stevens Act to require a national recreational saltwater fishing registry. Congress charged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with creating the registry, which scientists could access to improve recreational fishing data and fisheries management. Under the federal system, saltwater anglers must register online or by telephone in 2010. Beginning in 2011, federal registration will cost from $15 to $25 in states that do not have a saltwater permit systems.
The federal legislation included a provision allowing states to create their own saltwater fishing permit systems in lieu of participation in the federal registry. The law signed by Governor Patrick enables the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to require saltwater anglers to purchase a saltwater fishing permit beginning in January 2011.
Under the new state law, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will propose an individual permit fee of $10, with revenue from permit sales deposited into a state Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund administered by DMF in consultation with a newly created Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Panel. The revenue will pay for data collection and administration of the permitting program, programs to improve public access for recreational fishing, and better fisheries management.
"The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and its Division of Marine Fisheries look forward to designing a lower cost permit system that will improve fisheries data and provide local benefits to Massachusetts recreational fishermen," said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin.
"I am pleased that the salt water permit legislation approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick is reflective of the deliberations of the committee that worked so hard to make sure that the permit will benefit Massachusetts' salt water anglers," said Chuck Casella, chairman of the Recreational Registry Steering Committee.
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is responsible for promoting the enjoyment and conservation of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land preservation and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and game species, and enforcement of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's lakes and ponds.
"Many stakeholders have worked together to protect the state's interests in designing this legislation," Governor Patrick said. "I thank the legislators and recreational fishing organizations who crafted this measure and were instrumental in its passage."
"By signing this legislation into law, Governor Patrick demonstrates the Commonwealth's commitment to collecting recreational fishing data in order to comply with federal requirements, which will lead to better management of fisheries off our coast," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles.
In 2006, the United States Congress amended the Magnuson-Stevens Act to require a national recreational saltwater fishing registry. Congress charged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with creating the registry, which scientists could access to improve recreational fishing data and fisheries management. Under the federal system, saltwater anglers must register online or by telephone in 2010. Beginning in 2011, federal registration will cost from $15 to $25 in states that do not have a saltwater permit systems.
The federal legislation included a provision allowing states to create their own saltwater fishing permit systems in lieu of participation in the federal registry. The law signed by Governor Patrick enables the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to require saltwater anglers to purchase a saltwater fishing permit beginning in January 2011.
Under the new state law, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will propose an individual permit fee of $10, with revenue from permit sales deposited into a state Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund administered by DMF in consultation with a newly created Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Panel. The revenue will pay for data collection and administration of the permitting program, programs to improve public access for recreational fishing, and better fisheries management.
"The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and its Division of Marine Fisheries look forward to designing a lower cost permit system that will improve fisheries data and provide local benefits to Massachusetts recreational fishermen," said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin.
"I am pleased that the salt water permit legislation approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick is reflective of the deliberations of the committee that worked so hard to make sure that the permit will benefit Massachusetts' salt water anglers," said Chuck Casella, chairman of the Recreational Registry Steering Committee.
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is responsible for promoting the enjoyment and conservation of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land preservation and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and game species, and enforcement of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's lakes and ponds.
Sea Fish
Game Fish of the Saltwater
Tuna of the World
Billfish of the World
by daybreak
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