Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

How Much Does Your Fish Weigh?

Fish can be injured when weighed with portable scales. To estimate the weight of your fish, simply take a length and girth measurement (in inches), and use the following formulas. Remember, these are only estimates!

Example: A 30-inch striped bass weighs approximately 12 pounds (30" x 30" x 30")/2,200 = 12.3 pounds.

Species of Fish

Formula (see below)
Striped Bass
Striped bass

Length3

2,200
Walleye
Walleye		 Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch

Length3

2,700
Northern Pike
Northern Pike		 Chain Pickerel
Chain Pickerel

Length3

3,500

 

 
American Shad
American Shad		 Hickory Shad
Hickory Shad

Length x Length x Girth

1,650
Sunfish
Sunfish 		Scup
Scup

Length3

1,200
Large/Smallmouth Bass
Large/Smallmouth Bass		 Black Sea Bass
Black Sea Bass

Length x Length x Girth

1,200

Trout

Trout

Length x Girth2

700

Weakfish

Weakfish

Bluefish

Bluefish


Formula Explanations:

Measuring Length and Girth

Length3  = Length x Length x Length

Length2  = Length x Length

Girth2  =  Girth x Girth

Girth is the greatest distance around the body
A = Length B = Girth

 

Content last updated March 2020