What special fishing regulations apply at Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay?

Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Maine's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass. One of them reads: "Maine's easternmost Atlantic tidal waters — extreme tidal range (Cobscook Bay 24-ft tides among the highest in the contiguous US); striped bass 28-31 in slot + 1 / day; mackerel + winter flounder + pollock + Atlantic cod; DMR registry required ages 16+." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay?

Yes. Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay is in Maine, so a valid Maine fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) — freshwater; Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) — saltwater. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Maine rules.

Do Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay's special rules replace Maine's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Maine's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay?

Striped bass has a water-body-specific rule on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay, each linking to its full Maine regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Maine limits.

2026 regulation year

Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay 2026 — Maine Fishing Regulations

Maine statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Maine's 2026 fishing rules — covering Striped bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay (ME) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Maine's easternmost Atlantic tidal waters — extreme tidal range (Cobscook Bay 24-ft tides among the highest in the contiguous US); striped bass 28-31 in slot + 1 / day; mackerel + winter flounder + pollock + Atlantic cod; DMR registry required ages 16+
Source: Maine special-water list

Per-species rules on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay

Striped bass regulations →
28-31 in slot, 1 / day; Maine's easternmost Atlantic tidal waters, extreme tidal range (Cobscook Bay 24-ft tides among the highest in the contiguous US)

Official source

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) — freshwater; Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) — saltwater publishes the authoritative 2026 Maine fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Maine fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any Maine trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Maine

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay?: Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Maine's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass. One of them reads: "Maine's easternmost Atlantic tidal waters — extreme tidal range (Cobscook Bay 24-ft tides among the highest in the contiguous US); striped bass 28-31 in slot + 1 / day; mackerel + winter flounder + pollock + Atlantic cod; DMR registry required ages 16+." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay?: Yes. Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay is in Maine, so a valid Maine fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) — freshwater; Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) — saltwater. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Maine rules.
Do Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay's special rules replace Maine's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Maine's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay?: Striped bass has a water-body-specific rule on Cobscook Bay + Passamaquoddy Bay, each linking to its full Maine regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Maine limits.

← Back to Maine regulations overview