What special fishing regulations apply at Isles of Shoals?

Isles of Shoals carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override New Hampshire's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass. One of them reads: "Co-managed with Maine via Isles of Shoals state-line; 4 NH islands (Star, Lunging, White, Seavey) + 5 ME islands (Appledore, Cedar, Smuttynose, Malaga, Duck); cod + haddock + Atlantic pollock (cod under closed federal regulation, recreational); striped bass + Atlantic mackerel + pollock; either NH or ME saltwater licence honored per Isles of Shoals compact." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Isles of Shoals?

Yes. Isles of Shoals is in New Hampshire, so a valid New Hampshire fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NHF&G) — Inland Fisheries Division + Marine Fisheries Division. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Isles of Shoals; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Hampshire rules.

Do Isles of Shoals' special rules replace New Hampshire's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Hampshire's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Isles of Shoals 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 Isles of Shoals?

Striped bass has a water-body-specific rule on Isles of Shoals, each linking to its full New Hampshire regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Hampshire limits.

2026 regulation year

Isles of Shoals 2026 — New Hampshire Fishing Regulations

New Hampshire statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Isles of Shoals carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of New Hampshire'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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State-level special regulation

Co-managed with Maine via Isles of Shoals state-line; 4 NH islands (Star, Lunging, White, Seavey) + 5 ME islands (Appledore, Cedar, Smuttynose, Malaga, Duck); cod + haddock + Atlantic pollock (cod under closed federal regulation, recreational); striped bass + Atlantic mackerel + pollock; either NH or ME saltwater licence honored per Isles of Shoals compact
Source: New Hampshire special-water list

Per-species rules on Isles of Shoals

Striped bass regulations →
28-31 in slot, 1 / day; NH or ME saltwater licence honored per Isles of Shoals compact

Official source

New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NHF&G) — Inland Fisheries Division + Marine Fisheries Division publishes the authoritative 2026 New Hampshire fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official New Hampshire fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to New Hampshire Fish & Game Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any New Hampshire trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in New Hampshire

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Isles of Shoals?: Isles of Shoals carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override New Hampshire's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass. One of them reads: "Co-managed with Maine via Isles of Shoals state-line; 4 NH islands (Star, Lunging, White, Seavey) + 5 ME islands (Appledore, Cedar, Smuttynose, Malaga, Duck); cod + haddock + Atlantic pollock (cod under closed federal regulation, recreational); striped bass + Atlantic mackerel + pollock; either NH or ME saltwater licence honored per Isles of Shoals compact." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Isles of Shoals?: Yes. Isles of Shoals is in New Hampshire, so a valid New Hampshire fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NHF&G) — Inland Fisheries Division + Marine Fisheries Division. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Isles of Shoals; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Hampshire rules.
Do Isles of Shoals' special rules replace New Hampshire's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Hampshire's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Isles of Shoals 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 Isles of Shoals?: Striped bass has a water-body-specific rule on Isles of Shoals, each linking to its full New Hampshire regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Hampshire limits.

← Back to New Hampshire regulations overview