Cod Spawning Protection Area - New Hampshire Fish and Game ...

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Recreational Saltwater Fishing—FinfishRecreational saltwater fishing in New Hampshire provides diverseopportunities. Saltwater anglers can cast a line from boats, bridges,jetties or the beach. Many saltwater fish species are available alongthe coast and in our rivers and bays. Recreational saltwater fishingin NH now requires a recreational saltwater license. See page 7for details.Below are species that have rules or laws that apply to recreationalanglers or spearfishers.DON’T SPEND ALL YOUR TIMEFISHIN’ AROUND FOR INFORMATIONVisit N.H. Fish & Game’s website: www.FishNH.com• Buy your N.H. fishing license online; download the SaltwaterFishing Digest; sign up for fishing reports; and much more!2012 New Hampshire Recreational Saltwater Fishing RegulationsSPECIES CloSEd Season MinIMumLengthDaily Bag LimitSPECIal RulESAmerican EelNo closed season(except surroundingfishways)6 inches 50 fish per dayFishway Closures apply October 2 – June 14(see Coastal Harvest Section, page 21)American Plaice*14 inchesAmerican Shad 2 fish per day Recreational angling onlyHead and tail intact, unless fillet is 14 inches minimum; Additional federalNov. 1 – April 15 19 inches 9 fish per dayAtlantic Cod*regulations apply in federal watersApr. 1 – June 30 Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area; see map page 9.Atlantic Halibut41 inches1 fish per trip/vesselHead and tail intact while on or leaving waters of the stateAtlantic Sea HerringFederal regulations apply in federal watersAtlantic Salmon(Sea-run )15 inches 2 fish per day Recreational angling only; Snagging (foul-hooking) not allowedAtlantic WolffishPossession isprohibitedBluefin TunaFederally managed — follow federal regulations (call 1-888-USA-TUNA) or visitwww.hmspermits.govBluefish10 fish per dayDogfish, SpinyFinning prohibitedHaddock*18 inchesHead and tail intact, unless fillet is 12 inches minimum; Federal regulationsapply beyond state watersMonkfish17 inchesPollock*19 inches, if taken in federal watersRainbow Smelt(Saltwater)10 liquid quarts Head and tail must remain intactRedfish* 9 inches Additional federal regulations apply in federal watersRiver Herring(Alewife/Blueback Herring)Salters(Sea-Run Trout)Sharks —Blue, Porbeagle,Shortfin Makoand ThresherStriped BassSturgeonClosed everyWednesdayNo closed season(except Berry Brook)Closed year round28 inchesSee SquamscottRiver in SpecialRiver Restrictions,page 21.1 fish per day2 fish per day(only 1 fish largerthan 40 inches)Possession isprohibitedFishing prohibited around fishway closure areas (see Special River Restrictionsand Coastal Harvest Section, page 21)• Recreational angling only• In Berry Brook: Single-hook artificial lures and flies only; Open only August16 – March 1, inland of, but not including, the Bracket Road bridge to thebeginning of the prominent large rock area upstream. Note: Prominent largerock area to Sagamore Rd Bridge is closed year round• In Winnicut River: The salter daily limit applies only downstream of the B&MRailroad bridge.• Porbeagle — recreational fishing in state waters only• All sharks — head, fins and tail must remain attached through landing• Additional federal regulations apply in federal waters (call 1-978-281-9315)• Head and tail must remain intact while on or leaving state waters or shores;Gaffing is prohibited; No sale allowed, regardless of origin• Additional federal regulations apply in federal waters (call 1-978-281-9315)Summer Flounder* 15 inches Recreational angling only; No sale allowedWinter Flounder* May 15–24 12 inches 8 fish per dayYellowtail Flounder*13 inches*All groundfish species that are filleted and skinned must retain at least 2 square inches of contiguous skin intact for identification purposes.8 2012 New Hampshire Saltwater Fishing Digest
Cod Spawning Protection AreaGulf of Maine Cod SpawningProtection AreaThe Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning ProtectionArea is located primarily in federal waterssouth of the Isle of Shoals and is closed to theuse of recreational and commercial gear capableof catching cod in April, May, and June.Federal rules affecting the closure area statethat recreational fishing will only be allowed“with handline or rod and reel gear that isdesigned to fish for, or that is being used tofish for, pelagic species no portion of whichis designed to be or is operated in contactwith the bottom at any time.” (Pelagic speciesare fish generally found in the upper partof the water column.) In addition, the catchor possession of any groundfish species (cod,haddock, flounders, etc.) while in this area isprohibited during the closure. However, a boatmay transit through the area with groundfishcaught outside the area, provided all baitand hooks are removed from the fishing rodsor handlines or commercial gear is properlystowed in accordance with Federal Rule 50CFR 648.23(b). Please call the Marine FisheriesDivision (603-868-1095) for rules thatapply to the state waters portion of this area.• Time is of the essence. Play and release the fish as quickly and carefullyas possible. An overplayed fish may become too weak to recover.• When landing fish, use a net with fine mesh to avoid injury. Keepthe fish in the water as much as possible. A fish out of water is suffocatingand could be injured.• When releasing a fish, try not to touch it when removing the hookand releasing it. When handling the fish, do not let it flop aroundor squeeze it. The fish can be gently held around the middle andupside down while removing the hook. This position calms the fishand deters it from moving around.Catch & Release• Remove the hook with small pliers or by using the thumb and forefingerto loosen and back out the hook. If a hook cannot beeasilyremoved, cut the leader as close as possible to the hook. The hookwill rust or fall out in a short time.• To revive a tired fish, hold it in a swimming position with one handunder its bottom jaw and the other hand grasping the fish in frontof the tail. Gently move the fish back and forth through the wateruntil it is able to swim away.NH Fish and Game recommends that anglers using live or cut bait use circle hooks to reduce mortality on fish that will be released. Studiescomparing baited circle hooks to the standard J hooks used by most anglers show a substantial reduction in post-release hookingmortality when circle hooks are used.For more information, contact Fish and Game Marine Fisheries Division weekdays (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at (603) 868-1095.www.FishNH.com 9
Page 1: New Hampshire Fish and Game Departm
Page 5 and 6: Big Ocean.BIG Selection.RODS, REELS
Page 7 and 8: Licenses: Fees & RequirementsFishin
Page 9: NH RecreationalSaltwater LicenseIn
Page 13 and 14: Finfish IdentificationFinfish illus
Page 15 and 16: VISIT YOUR LOCALDICK’S SPORTING G
Page 17: Saltwater Rigging BasicsBasic cod r
Page 21 and 22: Tide Tables: Portsmouth HarborJULY
Page 27 and 28: There are regulations relating to t
Page 29 and 30: Shellfish IdentificationNew Hampshi
Page 31 and 32: Shellfish AreasN.H. Coast Shellfish
Page 33: Lobster & CrabLobster GearLobsters
Page 36 and 37: Boating in NHTen Tips for Safe Boat
Page 38 and 39: ManagingOur MarineResourcesThe Mari
Page 40: ModelSierrA 1500HoRsePoweR403 hPMax

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