Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 131, § 52

Shiners, minnows, killifish, sculpin, sticklebacks, and suckers may be taken for bait, but not for the purpose of sale, in any of the inland waters of the commonwealth by means of a single fish trap with openings not over one inch or by a single circular or hoop net not exceeding six feet in diameter to each licensed fisherman or by means of a rectangular net, containing not more than thirty-six square feet of net surface; and shiners and suckers may be taken by resident licensed fishermen, for the purpose of sale as bait, in any of said waters, except great ponds and waters which in whole or in part are held under lease or license as public fishing grounds, by means of not more than ten fish traps with openings not over one inch or by means of a single circular or hoop net not exceeding six feet in diameter, or by means of a net containing not more than two hundred square feet of net surface if such person engaged in operating such fish trap or net is thereto authorized by a license issued by the director, which license the director is hereby authorized to issue upon receipt of a fee, the amount of which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof; provided, that any fish taken by any such net or trap, other than those permitted by this section to be taken thereby, are immediately returned, if alive, to the waters whence they were taken.