Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Saltwater Fishing Guide

Bait Species, Crab, Lobster, Shellfish Regulations

For additional information, refer to the Marine Fisheries Information Circular or call the Marine Fisheries Program at: 860-434-6043.

Recreational Fishing for Bait Species, Lobster, Crab, and Shellfish

Bait Species

Recreational marine fishing license required to take bait within the marine district.
Species that may be taken:
- Menhaden (see Menhaden below)
- Striped Killifish and Banded Killifish
- Atlantic Silverside
- Tidewater Silverside
- Mummichogs
- Sea Herring (Atlantic Herring)
- Sand Lances (Sand Eels)
- American Eel
- Sea Lamprey
- Bay Anchovy
- Mullet Species
- Sheepshead Minnow
- Shrimp Species
- Green, Fiddler, Asian Shore and Hermit Crabs
Net and traps which may be used in the marine district to catch bait species:
- Cast Nets.
- Minnow Traps: no larger than 20″ long by 15″ in diameter.
- Umbrella Nets: not more than 4 ft. in length by 4 ft. in width.
- Scoop or Scap Nets: no larger than 36″ in diameter.
- Seines: no longer than 30 feet in length.
- Up to two eel pots.
- Hook and line.
- By hand.

Menhaden (Bunker)

Personal Use Gillnet License required ($100.00)
Annual Report of Catch
- See Personal Use Gillnet License Guidelines for a complete list of requirements.
Legal Menhaden Capture Methods
- Use of a single gillnet, not more than 60 feet in length and 3 inch minimum mesh size.
Prohibited
- The taking of any species other than menhaden.

Lobster

Personal Use Lobster License required ($60.00).
Annual Report of Catch required.
See Guidelines for Personal Use Lobster for a list of requirements.
Lobster Gauges can be purchased ($4) from DEEP Licensing at: 79 Elm Street, 1st Floor, Hartford, CT 06106-5127; 860-424-3105.
Legal Lobster Capture Methods:
- Ten pots or less (pot tags required)
- Skin Diving
- SCUBA Diving
- Hand Capturing

Blue Crab

Blue Crab Fact Sheet
No license required.
All devices must be attended at all times.
Legal Blue Crab Capture Methods:
- Scoop Net, Hand Line, Dip Net, Trot Line.
- Star Crab Trap (or similar device).
- Circular Topless Trap (not exceeding 26″ in diameter).
- Semi-Circular Cylindrical Trap (12″ or less in diameter)
Open Season
- May 1 – November 30.
Minimum Shell Width: (spike tip to spike tip)
- 5″ hard shell crabs
- 3½” soft shell crabs
Prohibited
- Possession of uncooked blue crab meat without the body shell attached.
- Possession of more than 2 claws per body.
- Possession of egg bearing females.
- Chesapeake-style crabs traps.

Jonah Crab

No license required.
For personal use only; not for sale.
50 crabs per day.
Possession of egg bearing females prohibited.

Squid

No license required if taken using a squid jig.
For personal use only.
Not for sale.

Shellfish

DEEP does not issue shellfish licenses.
Town Shellfishing License required.
Contact the town where you plan to harvest shellfish for permit information.
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture Shellfishing information at 203-874-0696. email: ctdeptag@ct.gov.
Species Include:
- Mussels
- Oysters
- Clams
- Scallops