Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus Mordax) Restrictions

(1) Definitions. Coastal Waters means those waters as established by M.G.L. c. 130, § 1. Rainbow Smelt means that species of fish known as Osmerus mordax. (2) Possession Limits. It is unlawful for any fisherman to fish for and retain more than 50 smelt taken from coastal waters of the Commonwealth per 24-hour day. (3) Prohibitions. It is unlawful for any person: (a) to fish for and retain smelt in any other manner than by hook-and-line as established by M.G.L. c. 130, § 35. (b) to fish for and retain smelt between March 15th and June 15th as established by M.G.L. c. 130, § 34. (c) to fail to release immediately any smelt unlawfully taken back into the waters from which they were taken.