Massachusetts tautog bag rises to five fish on Oct. 15

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries recreational saltwater rules set a 16-inch minimum for tautog, and only one fish may exceed 21 inches. The bag is three fish from April 1 through May 31, one fish from June 1 through July 31, three fish from Aug. 1 through Oct. 14, and five fish from Oct. 15 through Dec. 31.

Private anglers are held to a 10-fish maximum of tautog per vessel while the fishery is open. The more restrictive of the per-angler limit or the vessel limit applies. The Fisherman reported on Oct. 12, 2026, that the mid-month bag moves from three fish to five in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Mass.gov — Recreational saltwater fishing regulations. Also: The Fisherman — blackfish limits increase in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (Oct. 12, 2026).