NOAA Fisheries has established recreational fishing measures for Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock for the 2024 fishing year. These measures increase the minimum fish size for Gulf of Maine cod by 1 inch for all vessels (to 23 inches), while also increasing the minimum size of haddock by 1 inch (to 18 inches) and the possession limit from 10 haddock to 15 for private recreational anglers. All measures are in place July 24, 2024 through April 30, 2025. These measures will remain in place beyond April 30, 2025, unless or until they are replaced by new measures.
Table 1. 2024 Gulf of Maine Cod Recreational Measures
| GOM Cod Possession Limit (per person) | GOM Cod Minimum Size Inches (cm) | GOM Cod Open Season | GOM Cod Closed Season | ||
| For Hire | Private Angler | For Hire | Private Angler | ||
| 1 | 23 (58.4) | September 1 – October 31 | May 1 through August 31 and November 1 through April 30 | ||
Table 2. 2024 Gulf of Maine Haddock Recreational Measures
| GOM Haddock Possession Limit (per person) | GOM Haddock Minimum Size Inches (cm) | GOM Haddock Open Season | GOM Haddock Closed Season | ||
| For Hire | Private Angler | For Hire | Private Angler | ||
| 15 | 18 (45.7) | May 1 – February 28/29 and April 1 – April 30 | March 1 through March 31 | ||
Table 3. 2024 Georges Bank Cod Recreational Measures
| GB Cod Possession Limit (per person) | GB Cod Minimum Size Inches (cm) | GB Cod Open Season | GB Cod Closed Season | ||
| For Hire | Private Angler | For Hire | Private Angler | ||
| 5 | 23 (58.4) | May 1 – May 31 and September 1 – April 30 | June 1 – August 31 | ||
More Information
The recreational fisheries for Gulf of Maine cod, Gulf of Maine haddock, and Georges Bank cod are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. NOAA Fisheries, in consultation with the New England Fishery Management Council, developed recreational measures to ensure that the recreational catch limit for Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock are achieved, but not exceeded; and to ensure that recreational catch of Georges Bank cod remains within its target catch level.
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