Resources for Fishing: Fisheries By Region

Resources for Fishing

NOAA Fisheries works in partnership with regional fishery management councils to manage our nation’s fisheries. We want everyone to be prepared with the best information available before heading out on the water. From fishing permits and licenses to the most up to date regulations, all of the resources you need to have a safe and productive fishing day are here. Successful fisheries management is only possible when everyone works together to ensure our nation's living marine resources are sustainable.

FACT

8.5 million recreational anglers

In 2018, 8.5 million anglers took 194 million trips.

FACT

9.3 billion pounds of seafood

In 2019, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 9.3 billion pounds of seafood valued at $5.5 billion.

FACT

194 million recreational fishing trips

In 2018, 8.5 million recreational saltwater anglers took 194 million saltwater fishing trips around the United States. The number of trips taken (or effort) is an important measurement used by our program to determine total catch estimates each year.

FACT

47 stocks rebuilt since 2000

NOAA Fisheries manages 461 stocks or stock complexes in 46 fishery management plans.

FACT

1.7 million jobs and $253 billion in sales

We monitor, protect, and sustainably manage the nation’s fisheries, which generated $253 billion in sales impacts and created 1.7 million jobs in the U.S. marine fishing sector and across the broader economy in 2020.

Show me another fact

Permits & Forms

There are a variety of permitting requirements associated with fishing in federal waters. Check out permit information for commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, for-hire fishing, and dealers and import/export.

Learn more about permits and forms

Rules & Regulations

Find current rule-making actions—the latest notices and proposed rules open for comment, as well as final rules for various fishery management plans and related amendments.

Learn more about rules and regulations

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

Atlantic highly migratory species are very popular with saltwater anglers. These fish live throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean waters and include tuna, sharks, swordfish, and billfish.

Learn more about Atlantic highly migratory species

Regional Fishery Management Councils

The MSA created eight regional fishery management councils responsible for the fisheries in their region that require conservation and management. The councils develop and amend fishery management plans, set annual catch limits, develop research priorities, implement rebuilding plans, and conduct public meetings.

Find your regional fishery management councils

Commercial Fishing

Person in orange raingear stands in front of big ship machinery.

Permits and Forms

Search for fishing permits and related requirements by region, species, or fishery management plan.

Permits and forms

Man wearing orange raingear suit emptying load of grabs from net

Tools and Resources by Region

Find out more about annual catch limits, seasonal closures, federal fishing regulations, and state regulations for commercial fishing.

Fishery Management Information

Find current rule-making actions—the latest notices and proposed rules open for comment as well as final rules for various fishery management plans and related amendments.

Fishing rules and regulations by region

Fishery bulletins

Current notices and rules

Rulemaking open for comment

Landscape photo showing silhouette of ship out to sea during sunset

Fishery Management Plans

We work with eight regional fishery management councils to implement regulations for 46 fishery management plans and their amendments. Each plan aims to protect, restore, and promote the long-term sustainability of U.S. fisheries.

Fishery management plans and amendments

Recreational Fishing

Girl with white hat, braided hair, and boots fishing and trying to reel in a catch.

Do I Need a Permit or License?

State Regulations and Licenses

If you are fishing in state waters (generally 0 to 3 nautical miles off shore), contact your state fish and wildlife agency for a fishing license.

Find state fishing regulations and licenses

Federal Fishing Permits

Since January 1, 2011, a saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from any state or U.S. territory except Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, automatically registers you in the National Saltwater Angler Registry and you do not need to take further action. Otherwise, please visit the registry to ensure you are registered. If you plan on fishing anywhere for highly migratory species—such as tunas and billfish—or for bottomfish in Hawaii, check out the links below to get the permits you need.

Atlantic highly migratory species permits

Hawaiian Islands bottomfish permit

Landscape photo of ship on the water with cloudy pinkish orange sky in the background.

Where Can I Fish?

Anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts can use our comprehensive, online database of public recreational fishing sites from Maine through Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Use the “Guest Login” button to browse recreational access points—and the amenities at each location—in your state.

Search public recreational fishing sites

Fishing in National Marine Sanctuaries

Young black boy sits on a white chair holding a fishing pole and smiling. Yellow gloved hand comes into foreground from the left holding a fish upright.

What Can I Catch in Federal Waters?

The eight regional fishery management councils establish specific management measures (such as fishing seasons, size limits, and bag limits) based on the best available science, which are then implemented by NOAA Fisheries. Be sure to review the recreational fishing regulations for the region you are fishing in.

American Samoa Federal Fishing Regulations

Alaska Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Recreational Fishing Compliance Guide

Caribbean Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations (PDF, 14 pages)

Greater Atlantic Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations

Guam Federal Fishing Regulations (PDF, 22 pages)

Gulf of Mexico Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations

Northern Mariana Islands Federal Fishing Regulations

South Atlantic Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations

Federal Rules & Regulations

In partnership with the regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries commissions, international fisheries management organizations, and under the guidance of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act, NOAA Fisheries plays a key role in the implementation and enforcement of federal fishery rules and regulations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (3 to 200 nautical miles off shore).

Learn more about federal rules and regulations

Codfish coming up out of the water with a descending device. Woman's face to the left of frame looking at the cod.

What Responsible Fishing Practices Should I Follow?

Learn what you can do to be a responsible steward of our ocean resources.

Two young boys standing on the edge of a wooden pier looking out at the sand and water.

How Can I Get Involved?

Find out how you can get involved in monitoring the health of our oceans and fish resources.

Other Resources

Subsistence Fishing

Alaska: Subsistence Fishing

Subsistence halibut is halibut caught by an eligible rural resident or a member of an eligible Alaska Native tribe for direct personal or family consumption as food, sharing for personal or family consumption as food, or customary trade. Before fishing under the subsistence halibut regulations, fishermen must obtain a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate.

Learn more about subsistence fishing in Alaska

Pacific Islands: Non-Commercial Fishing

NOAA Fisheries recognizes the fundamental role that non-commercial and recreational fishing plays in the livelihoods of Pacific Islanders. We work alongside fishermen, partners, and others to conserve fish populations and protect our unique fishing traditions.

Learn more about non-commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands

West Coast: Tribal Fishing

Fisheye lens photo of a large group of coho salmon swimming to the left

Many Pacific Northwest Indian tribes have treaties reserving their right to fish in “Usual and Accustomed” fishing places and include many species in addition to salmon and steelhead. These tribes are co-managers of the fishery resource in partnership with the states and federal government.

Learn more about tribal fishing on the West Coast

Fisheries by Region

NOAA Fisheries helps maintain the health and sustainability of our nation's fisheries through five regional offices and six science centers. Use the links below to find regionally specific:

Rules and regulations
Permits and licenses
Online resources
Other important tools for fisheries in your region

Resources for Fishing