Top fish species at Penobscot Bay
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When are Striped Bass biting on Penobscot Bay?
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Fishing regulations at Penobscot Bay, ME
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Maine can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Striped bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.
Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.
NJ No Gaff
It is prohibited for any person to gaff striped bass when fishing recreationally.
Hook & Line Only
Allowable gear: hook and line.
- Hook and line only, no gaffing of striped bass.
- No bait allowed when using treble hooks.
- It is unlawful to use multiple (more than two) barbed or barbless treble hooks on any artificial lure or fly while fishing for striped bass in territorial waters.
- It is unlawful to use any hook other than a non-offset circle hook when using bait. Exception: Rubber or latex tube lures may be used without a circle hook as long as they are a minimum of 8 inches long and have a single hook protruding from the end portion of the tubing where bait may be attached.
- Bait is defined as any marine or freshwater organism live or dead, whole or parts thereof, and earthworms, including but not limited to, night crawlers.
- Striped bass incidentally caught on any unapproved hook type must be returned to the water immediately without unnecessary injury.
For more information, see 2023 Maine Striped Bass Regulations.
Atlantic mackerel
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
No size limit. Identification Guide for commonly confused mackerel, including Atlantic Mackerel and similar species.
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