Massachusetts’ Record for Largest Lobster Caught

The price for fresh New England lobster changes frequently depending on the time of year, market conditions and suppliers. The price fluctuates so often that many seafood dealers and restaurants don't even include it on their menus or websites.

On April 1, 2024, Boston's James Hook & Co. was advertising fresh lobster claw and tail meat at $85 per pound, fresh knuckle lobster meat at $90 per pound, and fresh lobster salad at $85 per pound.

Some places ask for more money, while others charge less.

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Lobster Anywhere says in March 2023, "The average price for live Maine lobster was around $13-$15 per pound, with lobster tails falling between $29.99 and $32.99."

MyLiveLobster.com says, "Perhaps the number one reason for rising lobster prices is that lobsters are much more in demand than they were when they were more plentiful."

The site says, "Back when the lobsters were so over-populated that they washed up on shore, there were almost more of them than people knew what to do with."

"After decades of harvesting, the population has decreased, but the demand continues to grow," according to the site.

Occasionally, the media will report on an odd-looking lobster caught in the waters off the New England coast. Sometimes, we hear of a "monster lobster" being landed. An 18-to-20-pound lobster might be considered a beast.

The Massachusetts Lobsterman's Association claims the record for a lobster caught off the Massachusetts coast was "Big George," caught off Cape Cod in 1974. The Association says George weighed 37.4 pounds with a total length of 2.1 feet.

You can make a lot of lobster salad with a 37.4-pound lobster. Given today's retail prices, you could probably retire, too.