As we flip the calendar page to a new year, there is a lot for anglers to think about. Of course we have the past season to reflect upon, highlight catches, crushing losses, new species, new techniques and places where we see room to improve. Looking ahead, we have fishing resolutions to take on, whether it’s simply to fish more in 2025 or to finally catch that 50-pounder, a new year makes a clean break for focusing on whatever goal you have in mind.

 

In the present, we have angling opportunities to take advantage of, and many of us will set our minds to landing that all-important ‘first fish of the new year!’ These moments offer the opportunity to start the year off on the right foot, diving into the next 365 with confidence, by getting on the board early. But, just as a new year marks a clean break for personal goals, it also marks a clean break for the closing of fishing seasons, so, depending on which species or body of water you hope to land your first fish of 2025 from, you may want to read on to make sure you won’t have to rethink your plans.

Connecticut

Porgy (scup) – Closes as of 12/31/24

Black Sea Bass (party and charter) – Closes as of 12/31/24

Winter Flounder – Closes as of 12/31/24

Saugatuck Reservoir – Closed to fishing as of 12/31/24

All state fishing licenses expire as of 12/31/24 so make sure to get one before fishing in 2024.

Rhode Island

Black Sea Bass – Closes as of 12/31/24

Fluke – Closes as of 12/31/24

Scup – Closes as of 12/31/24

Tautog – Closes as of 12/31/24

Winter Flounder – Closes as of 12/31/24

Cod – Remains open through 5/31/25.

Rhode Island saltwater licenses expire as of 12/31/24, freshwater licenses expire 2/28/25.

 

Massachusetts

Scup – Closes as of 12/31/24

Tautog – Closes as of 12/31/24

Winter Flounder (south of Cape Cod) – Closes as of 12/31/24

Wachusett Reservoir – Closed to fishing as of 12/31/24

All state fishing licenses expire as of 12/31/24 so make sure to get one before fishing in 2024.

 

New Hampshire

Ice Fishing Season for trout opens 1/1/25, trout may only be targeted through the ice through 3/31/25. These regulations apply to ALL SPECIES in designated lake trout or salmon waters.

All state fishing licenses expire as of 12/31/24 so make sure to get one before fishing in 2024.

 

Maine

Maine’s freshwater fishing laws are complicated, please visit maine.gov to learn the rules before fishing.

Black Sea Bass – Closes as of 12/31/24

All state fishing licenses expire as of 12/31/24 so make sure to get one before fishing in 2024.