Cod regs for stellwagen???

[getwet]

so stupid question but i havent been able to find the NMFS regs for stellwagen and everything MA marine fisheries says april 1 is the open day....is is april 15th on the bank?? I plan on taking a poke around on saturday and want make sure everything is on the up and up with the regs....thanks guys!!

[gmoney]

the fishing on the bank does not open until midnight on the 15th (so this is actually really the 16th)
I'm not sure as far as the state nearshore regs......

[KP161]

I have heard April 15 on 10 fish per person. But check Marine Fisheries because even this Saturday I believe you can get 2 fish per person 24" or more with a 75lb max on the boat. You got 3 guys on the boat and get 6 fish at 10lbs per fish from what I have read that is legal.

From what I understand the reason for the 75 max per boat is they don't want people going out there banging away at the 30 or 40lb breeders that are there to spawn. They also don't want people going out there with 7 guys and taking 14 fish.

But a nice trip on Saturday with 60lbs of cod and 10-15 haddock nothing wrong with that at all. Hope you get out there.

[getwet]

Thats what i thought being a 15th open on the bank but still being able to have 2 fish per day per angler on the bank, hopefully we can locate the haddock on the new to me 21 tender!! gotta get some blood on the deck!!! Anyone have a link to the regs on NMFS?? Anyone else going out and lookin to buddy up??

[Cpt Dave]

For federal waters (beyond the 3 mile line) you may take and possess cod beginning on 4/16/2010 (April 15 is the last day of the closure). At that time the limit will become 10 cod PP at 24" minimum. Until that date, no cod may be retained in Federal waters north of the 42 line by recreational anglers.

In MA State waters (inside the 3 mile line) you may currently retain 2 cod PP with a boat limit of 75lbs per trip. Beginning 4/1/10, in MA State waters you may retain 10 cod PP 24" minimum.

[On The Edge]

What Capt Dave said. The first day you can take ANY cod from the bank/GOM north of the 42 line is the 16th of April.

April 15th is the last day of the closed season not opening day

[shesoffnosheson]

Friend of mine sent me the following,interesting. What exactly would north of Cape Cod be? Kind of ambiguous to me.


-----Original Message-----
From: marinefisheries@listserv.state.ma.us
To: Marine Fisheries Mailing List <marinefisheries@listserv.state.ma.us>
Sent: Tue, Mar 30, 2010 3:11 pm
Subject: MarineFisheries Advisory


March 30, 2010
MarineFisheries Advisory
Clarification of April cod closure rules in Massachusetts portion of the Gulf of Maine
This advisory explains the current state rules governing cod harvest by recreational fishermen in the waters north of Cape Cod.

Background: In April of 2009, NMFS enacted restrictions as part of the so-called Interim Groundfish Rule affecting the recreational cod fishery in the Gulf of Maine by extending the existing 5-month (November – March) closed season an additional 15 days through April 15th. For the past two years, Massachusetts has had similar closures governing the for-hire sector, however private anglers in state waters were allowed to retain 2 cod per person not to exceed 75 lbs. per vessel.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not take complementary actions to match the Interim Rules concerning the first 15 days of April. Consequently, during April 1-15, recreational fishermen fishing in the Commonwealth’s waters north of Cape Cod may take up to 10 cod per person, but may not possess cod taken from federal waters or while in federal waters. For-hire vessel operators with federal permits are bound by the more restrictive federal measures (i.e., no possession of cod) regardless of where they fish. Please note that commercial fishing for cod and other multispecies groundfish is closed during all of April and May in all waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth from Cape Cod to the NH border.
DMF urges all anglers to abide by the federal closure when in federal waters. Those with federal for-hire permits seeking to participate in the recreational fishery in state waters during April 1-15 can contact NMFS at 978-281-9200 to determine what options may be available

[FullStrikeAngler]

Friend of mine sent me the following,interesting. What exactly would north of Cape Cod be? Kind of ambiguous to me.

Exactly where Capt Dave and OTE said...north of the 42 parallel (line) which runs approximately through Kingston Bay and Race Point (Cape Cod) and around the world

[shesoffnosheson]

Exactly where Capt Dave and OTE said...north of the 42 parallel (line) which runs approximately through Kingston Bay and Race Point (Cape Cod) and around the world

Lol thank you!

[Captain Curt]

south of 42 Degree is outside Cape Cod bay only.
just to be sure all on same page!!!!