PlumIsland Surfcasters

Have you ever wanted to learn how to fish? Come to one of our upcoming learn to fish events! We’ll have equipment on hand for use, as well as terminal tackle, and live bait. You’ll learn the basics including casting and baiting and you will have a chance to cast a line and practice fishing.

Pre-registration is required for most events. Find more information and register at bit.ly/learn-to-fish-events-MA

Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend is coming up! From June 6-7, you don’t need a fishing license to fish any public freshwater lake, pond, river, or stream throughout the state. All other rules apply, including catch limits. Get details at mass.gov/try-fishing

*cue the 6-7 jokes

Let's go outside! Join us Saturday June 13 between 10am - 2pm for our annual outdoor recreation celebration. Activity spotlight: fishing! Come learn the basics of salt water fishing with expert anglers from Plum Island Surfcasters. All ages welcome, all bait and gear provided. No registration required, but you can sign up for reminders and weather notices at bit.ly/parkerriversignup.

Some great catches this spring so far from club members!

UPDATE: Registration is now full for this event. Thank you everyone for your interest! Find all of the Fishing Clinics we're offering this season here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/saltwater-angler-education-program

Join us on June 23 from 4PM-6PM for a FREE saltwater fishing clinic at the Cashman Park fishing pier in the City of Newburyport. Come out and spend the afternoon learning how to saltwater fish! No experience or gear necessary – we'll teach you all the angling basics. Learn more and register for a spot: https://www.mass.gov/event/take-me-saltwater-fishing-cashman-park-06-23-2026

Does lure color actually matter for stripers? https://onthewater.com/does-color-really-matter-for-striper-lures

This article digs into what the research says and what guys who fish 200 nights a year actually believe.

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Reminder: Tomorrow, May 19th, DMF is hosting a virtual public hearing on recently adopted emergency regulations on recreational black sea bass, recreational Gulf of Maine haddock, and recreational and commercial mackerel limits.

The virtual public hearing will be held at 6 PM, May 19th via Zoom. Written public comment will be accepted through 5 PM on May 22nd.

Register for the virtual public hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eTWEW6qKSKOp_3QtvbG1xw #/registration

Find the full advisory: https://www.mass.gov/doc/51826-reminder-virtual-public-hearing-scheduled-for-6pm-on-may-19/download

𝐌𝐄𝐏 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝐸𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒.

On May 8th, 2026, MEP Officers patrolling the Merrimack River arrested two individuals for multiple violations, including fishing without a license, fishing on posted property, entering a restricted fish propagation area, and possessing more than two dozen protected river herring. River herring possession is strictly prohibited, and every illegal catch threatens the health of this recovering species.

But the work didn’t stop there.

On May 9th, the very next day, officers returned to the same location and encountered two different individuals fishing illegally, the same two people who were prosecuted for illegal fishing in this exact spot just one year ago. Both were arrested, and their gear was seized. Charges included restricted‑area fishing, posted‑property violations, striped bass violations, and for one individual, fraudulently obtaining a fishing license after having their license revoked last year.

All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a Massachusetts Court of Law.

In a small silver lining, the illegally caught striped bass was placed near a local eagle nest to help feed the eaglets, giving Mom a little extra “me time” just in time for Mother’s Day.

As the annual striped bass and river herring migration ramps up along the Merrimack, anglers are reminded:
• Only one striped bass may be kept per day, and it must measure between 28–31 inches.
• River herring possession is prohibited; any incidental catch must be released immediately.

MEP will continue to protect our natural resources, enforce the law, and ensure that everyone who enjoys the river can do so responsibly.