Last week brought the opening of commercial fishing season for striped bass in Massachusetts. That's good news for people who don't fish, or who may not know a fisherman.
Recreational anglers can fish for striped bass all year, following the rule of keeping just one bass per day of at least 28". But these fish can't legally be sold or purchased. This means for May and much of June, when striped bass are coming into our waters, you don't see local striped bass in your neighborhood fish market, or on the menu at restaurants.
But beginning on June 23, commercial fishermen are providing wholesalers with fresh-caught local striped bass.
How long will this fish be available? Good question. In fact, there's no fixed end date. Commercial season continues until the state determines that the year's quota has been met.
Last year, the season lasted almost two months, from June 25 to August 20, with a quota of 869,813 pounds.
This year's season began June 23, with the same quota of 869,813 pounds.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries has a web page where you can follow the tally of the commercial catch as it's updated. It's pretty neat.Take a look at that here.
There's plenty of great fishing in store for the long holiday weekend. Kevin Blinkoff of On The Water magazine has the reports and a fishing forecast, along with more details on commercial striped bass fishing, in this week's Fishing News, posted below. Give it a listen.
