Tautog Fishing in Massachusetts
When tautog are caught across Massachusetts, season by season, from NOAA’s recreational catch survey (2024).
Tautog catch through the year
Recreational catch in Massachusetts by two-month season. The peak window is highlighted.
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Seasonal catch, tides, and the day's conditions worth knowing for your spots, plus the occasional PATHR update. No spam.
Catching tautog in Massachusetts
Tautog catches in Massachusetts run hardest around Nov-Dec, with the strongest two-month windows in Nov-Dec and Sep-Oct. Anglers keep about 21% of what they catch and release the rest. All of this comes from NOAA’s recreational catch survey, so it maps the season rather than any single day.
To turn the season into a trip, line the peak window up with the daily bite. Check the Massachusetts fishing times for the solunar windows, the tide charts for moving water, and the sunrise and sunset times for first and last light.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to catch tautog in Massachusetts?+
Catches peak around Nov-Dec (November and December). The strongest two-month windows are Nov-Dec and Sep-Oct. This is based on NOAA's 2024 recreational catch survey, so it reflects the typical season rather than a live report.
Do anglers keep or release tautog in Massachusetts?+
Across Massachusetts, about 21% of the tautog caught are kept and 79% are released. That works out to roughly 576K kept and 2.2M released in 2024.
How many tautog are caught in Massachusetts?+
NOAA's survey estimated about 2.8M tautog caught by recreational anglers in Massachusetts in 2024, making it the #5 most-caught species in the state. Survey estimates, so read them as the shape of the season.
Where does this tautog data come from?+
NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), 2024 estimates. Courtesy: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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