Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 131, § 54

Except as otherwise permitted by law, a person shall not draw, set, stretch or use a fish trap, gill net, drag net, set net, purse net, seine or trawl, or set or use more than two hooks for fishing, or, in the case of ice fishing, five hooks, in any inland water, or aid in so doing. This section shall not affect any corporate rights of any fishing company. The possession, except as permitted by law, by any person in or upon inland waters or upon the banks of the same of any seine, net, trap, trawl or other device adapted for fishing for any species of fish shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.