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Herring Rules

Posted on: April 13, 2023 - 3:27pm

https://www.mashpeema.gov/things-do-and-see-mashpee-conservation-lands/w...

It’s that time of year again where the herring are making the run for spawning! The Town of Mashpee has three active herring runs: (1) The Mashpee River, (2) the Quashnet River and (3) the Santuit River. With this annual event the Mashpee Herring Warden along with Department of Natural Resources is starting to receive increased calls for people fishing in the herring runs. We appreciate the calls, and certainly want to check to make sure the person harvesting herring is allowed to be doing such.

Per order of the Division of Marine Fisheries, the harvesting of herring is PROHIBITED. This prohibition DOES NOT APPLY to Native Americans with valid Tribal ID cards who have aboriginal right to take river herring for personal use. Tribal members are allowed to hunt, fish and trap freely as their aboriginal rights.

Please, just respect each other. The Town of Mashpee Herring Warden and Department of Natural Resources will not tolerate harassment or threats towards tribal members and you could be charged for interfering with the lawful taking of fish/wildlife.

We also ask that you not alter herring runs in any way, shape or form. Doing so is violation of MA law and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. If you observe any issues with a given herring run in town, just contact us and we will follow up accordingly.

If you believe someone may be illegally fishing in the run please do not engage the individual(s), it is just not your place to do so. Simply call the Mashpee Herring Warden at 508-539-1400 X8539, The Mashpee Department of Natural Resources at 508-539-1410, the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 800-632-8075 or the Mashpee Police Department at 508-539-1480 An official will be dispatched to handle the verification that the person is allowed to be there or not.

We sincerely thank you.