Species Regulations
Current marine recreational fisheries regulations
2026 Changes: Changes were made to the marine recreational regulations for 2026 for Black Sea Bass and Bluefish. See changes by respective species. All other regulations remain the same as 2025. Striped bass fishing is Catch and Release only commencing December 1. Catch and release ends on March 31, 2027, with harvest resuming on April 1, 2027.
Applicability of marine recreational fishing regulations
Marine recreational fishing regulations apply “while on the waters of this state or on any parcel of land, structure, or portion of a roadway abutting tidal waters of this state.” Consistent with this regulation, regardless where you caught your fish, (federal waters, another states’ waters) any fish in your possession must meet Connecticut regulations (size, season, possession limits) when you are in Connecticut waters or on the Connecticut shore. Any fish taken contrary to the minimum length, creel limit or open season regulations must, without avoidable injury, be returned immediately to the water from which taken.
- Tri-Lingual Marine Fishing Regulations
- Enhanced Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations Sign
- Marine Recreational Fishing: Regulatory Terms and Additional Restrictions
Striped Bass
Per Public Act 26-101, all Striped Bass fishing is Catch and Release commencing December 1. Catch and release ends March 31 (harvest resumes on April 1). During the Catch and Release time period all Striped Bass must be returned, without avoidable injury, to the water from which taken. This applies to all CT waters.
Minimum length: No person shall possess any striped bass less than 28 inches or greater than or equal to 31 inches measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Any striped bass less than 28 inches or greater than or equal to 31 inches shall, without avoidable injury, be returned immediately to the water from which taken.
Daily creel limit: 1 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round (catch and release fishing only December 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027)
Inline circle hook required when fishing with bait (does not apply to artificial lures).
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Open Season:May 4 - August 1; 19 inch minimum length
Open Season: August 2 - October 15; 19.5 inch minimum length
Daily creel limit: 3 fish per angler
Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites the Minimum Length is 17 inches
Tautog (Blackfish)
Minimum length: 16 inches
Open Season: April 1 - April 30, 2 fish per angler
Open Season: July 1 - August 31, 2 fish per angler
Open Season: October 10 - November 28, 3 fish per angler
Scup (Porgy)
Minimum length: 11 inches for boat anglers / 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)
Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler
Open Season: May 1 - December 31
Party/Charter Vessel Bonus Season:
For paying passengers only: 30 fish per angler from May 1 - August 31 and November 1 - December 31; 40 fish per angler from September 1 - October 31
Bluefish
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 5 fish per angler (including "snappers") (New for 2026)
Open Season: Open Year Round
Party/Charter Vessel: for paying passengers only - daily creel limit, 7 fish per angler. (New for 2026)
Black Sea Bass
Minimum length: 15.5 inches** (New for 2026)
Daily creel limit: 4 fish per angler (New for 2026)
Open Season: May 16 - November 25 (no mid-season closure) (New for 2026).
**Excluding tail fin filament (tendril)
Party/Charter Vessels:
Minimum length: 15.5 inches** (New for 2026)
Open Season: May 16 - December 31 (New for 2026)
Bag Limit (for paying passengers only):
- 4 fish per angler from May 16 - August 31 (New for 2026)
- 6 fish per angler from September 1 - December 31 (New for 2026)
Daily logbook reporting required by Party/Charter Vessel operator for trips taking Black Sea Bass
Weakfish (Sea Trout)
Minimum length: 16 inches
Daily creel limit: 1 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Winter Flounder
Minimum length: 12 inches
Daily creel limit: 2 fish per angler
Open Season: Open April 1 - December 31
Hickory Shad
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 6 fish per angler (American and Hickory Shad in aggregate)
Open Season: Open Year Round
American Shad***
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 6 fish per angler (American and Hickory Shad in aggregate)
Open Season: Open Year Round
***American Shad: all state waters closed, except the Connecticut River System
River Herring: Alewife / Blueback Herring
The taking of anadromous alewife and blueback herring is prohibited from all Connecticut waters, including Long Island Sound.
White Perch
Minimum length: 7 inches
Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
American Eel
Minimum length: 9 inches
Daily creel limit: 25 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Atlantic Menhaden (Bunker)
Minimum length: None
Daily creel limit: 50 fish per angler or 5 gallons (whichever is the greater amount)
Open Season: Open Year Round
Atlantic Cod
Updated federal regulations for Atlantic Cod
Haddock
Updated federal regulations for Haddock
Pollock
Updated federal regulations for Pollock
Blue Crab
No License Required
Minimum shell width (spike tip to spike tip)
5 inches - Hard shell
3 1/2 inches - Soft shell
Daily creel limit: None
Open Season: May 1 - November 30
Prohibition on egg-bearing females
Jonah Crab
No License Required
Daily creel limit: 50 Crabs per Day
Prohibition on egg-bearing females
Squid
No License Required
Smooth and Spiny Dogfish
Daily creel limit: None
Open Season: Open Year
Coastal Shark Species
An Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit is required to take, possess, or land any shark species, other than smooth or spiny dogfish, in this state in either the sport or commercial fisheries. Information on HMS permits is on the NOAA Fisheries website or you call NMFS Customer Service Center at 1-888-872-8862.
Red Drum (Redfish)
Maximum length: 27 inches
Daily creel limit: 1 fish per angler
Open Season: Open Year Round
Tunas, billfish, and swordfish are managed by NOAA's Highly Migratory Species Office. Please consult NOAA Fisheries for permitting requirements and regulations.
Please contact the Fisheries Division with any questions.
Phone: 860-434-6043; E-mail: deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov
Content last updated in November 2026.