At press time, the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are still seeking public comment and input on the 2024 fishing regulations for saltwater fishing. So, the list of regulations for the tri-state area is likely to be completed by May 1. But, here’s some news on how the regulations are shaping up.
The RI Marine Fisheries Council will meet on April 1 to vote on their recommendations to the Director. The Director will take the Council’s recommendations including all public comments received at the public hearing on February 28, and the recommendations of the Division’s scientists and make final rule decisions that will take effect on May 1. Connecticut and Massachusetts are on the same path.
Striped bass. For 2024 the striped bass regulations will be the same as last year, one fish/person/day at 28 to less than 31 inches. However, there are a number of inshore and offshore filleting requirements ie keeping racks of filleted fish with only two fillets per fish until all fishermen are off the vessel or if on shore filleting is not permitted while actively fishing with fishing lines in the water. The fillet requirement is part of a coastwide regulation for striped bass issued by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Striped bass are still overfished according to the 2022 stock assessment. An updated stock assessment is being done in 2024.
The Tautog regulations will likely be the same as they were last year. Tautog is not overfished, and overfishing does not occur. Tautog has a minimum size of 16-inches. Spring season opens April 1 through May 31 with a three fish/person/day limit; a closed season June 1 to July 31 during the spawning season; a late summer/early fall from August 1 to October 14 with a limit of three fish/person/day; and then from October 15 to December 31 the limit jumps to five fish/person/day. At all times, only one fish may be larger than 21 inches and there is a maximum of ten fish/vessel.
Bluefish. The Division of Marine Fisheries is not proposing to change the recreational bluefish regulations for 2024. Thus, the regulations will likely be the same as last year. For private vessels and shore anglers the limit is three fish/person/day year round with no minimum size. For-hire vessels have a five fish/person/day limit.
The scup is not overfished and overfishing does not occur. However, recruitment is below average from 2017 to 2022. Thus, the regulations in 2024 must be changed to achieve a 10 percent reduction in recreational harvest. Several proposals were shared including increasing the minimum size from 10.5 to 11 inches, reducing the possession limit (in some cases from 30 fish last year to 20 fish, even one proposal reducing possession to 9 which fish) as well as reducing the length of the season. There are suggestions for adjusting the minimum shore size from 9.5″ to 10″ or keeping it the same. Many options are still in play here.
Summer flounder is not overfished but overfishing does occur, so fish managers are asked to achieve a 28 percent reduction in recreational harvest. There are several options on the table to meet this reduction including increasing the minimum size from 18 to 18.5 inches or increasing the minimum size to 19 inches. If the minimum size increases to 19 inches the season can be expanded (starting April 1 instead of May 3) with an enhanced bag limit.
Black sea bass are not overfished, and overfishing does not occur. The Division has not proposed changes to the black sea bass regulation at this time. The minimum size is likely to be the same as last year’s 16.5 inches for private anglers with a season starting May 22 through August 26 with a limit of two fish/person/day with an increase to three fish/person/day from August 27 through December 31 The party and charter boat sector has a 16-inch minimum size, however the season doesn’t start until June 18 with a two fish limit which then increases to six fish/person/day on September 1
For Connecticut regulatory updates visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Saltwater/Saltwater-Fishing; in Massachusetts https://www.mass.gov/info-details/recreational-saltwater-fishing-regulations; and in Rhode Island https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/marine-fisheries/marine-fisheries-regulations.
Notice of Atlantic Herring Scope Meetings
River herring serves as food for fish and birds of all kinds including striped bass, bluefish, and osprey. Fishermen across the coast have expressed concern about river herring and shad being caught as bycatch by commercial fishermen targeting Atlantic Herring.
To help address this challenge and others concerning the Atlantic Herring fishery, the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is holding six scoping meetings to solicit comments on a range of alternatives to consider in Amendment 10 (A10) to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Council proposes to take action through A10 to address the spatial and temporal allocation and management of Atlantic herring at the management unit level in order to reduce user conflicts, contribute to optimum yield and support the reconstruction of resource.
The Council also proposes to take action to enhance river herring (alewife and blueback herring) and shad (American shad and hickory shad) avoidance and other catch reduction measures to better support continued coast-wide restoration efforts for those species.
Rhode Island Scoping Meeting: Tuesday, March 19, 6 pm to 8 pm; Hampton Inn, 20 Hotel Drive, South Kingstown, RI. Phone: 401.788.3500.
Massachusetts Scoping Meeting: Wednesday, March 27 – 6 – 8 pm; Hampton Inn, 12 Kendall Rae Place. Buzzards Bay, MA 02532; Phone: (508)444-4508.
Written comments must be received on or before 8 am EST, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Comments should be addressed to Cate O’Keefe, PhD, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill #2, Newburyport, MA 01950; and sent by mail or email: [email protected]. Please note in your letter; “Atlantic Herring Amendment 10 Scoping Comments.”
Where is the bite?
Freshwater fishing in stocked ponds for trout and salmon continues to be good for anglers, however, the trout fishing season ends this week on February 29 and reopens on Saturday, April 13 .
“Trout fishing has been very good since the closing season. There are good sized brown trout being caught in Beach Pond, (RI and CT). And, 8-10 pound salmon are being caught in the Naugatuck River, CT,” said Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, RI.
For information on freshwater fishing in Connecticut visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Freshwater/Freshwater-Fishing; in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov; and in Rhode Island www.dem.ri.gov/fishing.
Salt water. “Fishing for hold over striped bass improved this week with school sized striped bass up to 37-inch fish being caught in MA, RI and CT estuaries. My favorite lure this time of year is a white shad anywhere from four inches to nine inches,” Sullivan said.
Dave Monti holds a captain’s license and fishing license. He serves on various boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries-related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to [email protected] or visit www.noflukefishing.com.
