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Main Channel

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Massachusetts, United States

4.0·123 catches

Top fish species at Main Channel

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Main Channel fishing reports

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Scup

13 in · 2 lb

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Scup

10 in · 1 lb

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Black sea bass

12 in · 1 lb

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Scup

11 in · 1 lb

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Black sea bass

13 in · 1 lb 3 oz

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General info

Main Channel is a water located in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. It is most popular for fishing Black sea bass, Scup, and Bluefish.

Location

41°28′0.5″N 70°24′58″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Main Channel, MA

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 Massachusetts 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

Season closed: October 15 - May 15
Black sea bass

Black sea bass

Regulation boundaryMassachusetts State Waters
Bag limit4

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.

Min size16" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

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.

Additional information
Recreational rules (effective via emergency regulation filed April 3, 2026; intended to be finalized for 2026 and 2027 pending the May 28, 2026 MFAC vote):Open season: May 16 – October 14Minimum size: 16 inchesBag limit:4 fish/day from May 16 – August 312 fish/day from September 1 – October 14Measurement: tip of snout/jaw (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail, not including the tail filamentFilleting at sea: allowed, but not skinning; max 2 fillets per allowed fish
Edibility
Excellent according to Adam L.
Synonyms
Centropristis striata
Season open: May 1 - December 31
Scup

Scup

Regulation boundaryMassachusetts State Waters
Bag limit30

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.

Min size9.5" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

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.

Vessel limit150

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
Shore Angler: May 1 – December 31 possession Limit = 30 scup per person, Minimum size = 9.5-inches total lengthPrivate: May 1 – December 31 possession Limit = 30 scup per person, Minimum size = 11-inches total lengthFor-hire Vessel: May 1–June 30 possession Limit = 40 scup per person, Minimum size = 11-inches total lengthFor-hire Vessel: July 1 – December 31 possession Limit = 30 scup per person, Minimum size = 11-inches total length
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Stenotomus chrysops
Season open: year-round
Bluefish

Bluefish

Regulation boundaryMassachusetts State Waters
Bag limit3

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.

Additional information
No size limit. Bag limit increased to 5 bluefish per person per day for recreational anglers fishing from a for-hire vessel during a for-hire trip. Regulations effective May 1, 2020 reduce the recreational bluefish possession limit from 10 fish for all anglers to either 3 or 5 fish depending on fishing mode. This action is consistent with decisions of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to reduce coastwide harvest in 2020 so as to not exceed the recreational harvest limit. Massachusetts' recreational bluefish season remains open year-round, with no restriction on the size of bluefish that may be retained. For more information, please visit our website: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries
Edibility
Good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Bluefish by DMFD
Synonyms
Pomatomus saltatrix
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Local laws and licenses

Massachusetts fishing license

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Reviews of Main Channel

4.0
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3 ratings

5
4
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1
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Cities nearby

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7.8 miles away

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8.5 miles away

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Popponesset Island

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Seabrook

9.1 miles away

Vineyard Haven

9.9 miles away

East Falmouth

10.2 miles away

Mashpee Neck

10.4 miles away

Teaticket

11.0 miles away

Mashpee

11.1 miles away

Falmouth

12.5 miles away

Woods Hole

13.4 miles away

Barnstable

14.5 miles away

West Falmouth

14.7 miles away

Forestdale

15.8 miles away

North Falmouth

16.1 miles away

Sandwich

17.4 miles away

Pocasset

18.5 miles away

Bourne

19.7 miles away

Monument Beach

20.0 miles away

Marion Center

24.3 miles away

Mattapoisett Center

24.4 miles away

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FAQ about Main Channel fishing

📍 Where is Main Channel located?
Main Channel is a water located in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. Its coordinates are:
41°28′0.5″N 70°24′58″W
.
🎣 Where on Main Channel is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Main Channel by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Main Channel?
The most common species in Main Channel are:
  • Black sea bass - 28 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Scup - 9 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Bluefish - 21 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Main Channel fishing reports?
The latest Main Channel fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Main Channel right now?
According to fishing regulations at Main Channel, some of the species in season this November include: Tautog, Atlantic bluefin tuna, Scup, Winter flounder, and Atlantic rainbow smelt. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Main Channel?

Fishing in Massachusetts requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term options, available online or at licensed agents.

In Massachusetts, no fishing license is required for anglers under 15 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license
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