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Fish consumption advisories

Massachusetts

Massachusetts publishes advisories for 276 waters, covering 737 species-and-size recommendations.

Contaminants of concern: Chlordane, DDT, Dioxins, Lead, Mercury, PAHs, PCBs, Pesticides, PFAS

Statewide advisory

These apply across Massachusetts, including waters with no specific advisory of their own.

  • All Other Species Children under 12 and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant For children under 12 and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide (unevaluated waters)

Waters with advisories in Massachusetts

276 waters on file. A water not listed here has no advisory in the state's data — which usually means it has never been sampled, not that it's been cleared.

Lakes 215

Reservoirs 30

Rivers 31

Browse Massachusetts by county

Every named water in the state, county by county — including the many with no advisory on file.

Massachusetts statewide fishing limits

Statewide defaults — specific waters and zones may differ. Verify the current rules before keeping a fish.

SpeciesSizeDaily limitOpen seasonKeep season
Largemouth Bass 12" min 5 Year-round Same as open
Smallmouth Bass 12" min 5 Year-round Same as open
Northern Pike 28" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Chain Pickerel 15" min 5 Year-round Same as open
Walleye 14" min 5 Year-round Same as open
Inland Trout — 3 Year-round Same as open

Official rules: Massachusetts — Massachusetts DFW

Where this comes from

Advisories
Massachusetts DPH — Freshwater Fish Consumption Advisory List
Regulations
Massachusetts — Massachusetts DFW
All sources
Every state's official source