Connecticut State Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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


What Is New


Changes may occur during the year. Please see below for updates.

Most Current

August 15, 2023 - The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued new regulations for the recreational cod fishery in federal waters. Connecticut state waters recreational cod regulations, which recreational anglers must abide by when landing cod in Connecticut regardless of where the cod were caught, are specified to be identical to federal waters regulations. Therefore, recreational regulations for cod in Connecticut are now: Open Season: May 1 – May 31 and September 1 – April 30 (Closed June 1 – August 31) Possession Limit: 5 fish Minimum Size: 23 inches

May 17, 2023 - Effective at 12:00 am on May 26, 2023, CT's Striped Bass regulations change to become a slot of 28 inches to 31 inches. Any striped bass that is less than 28 inches or greater than or equal to 31 inches must be released without avoidable injury. This change was the result of emergency action by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission on May 2, 2023. This action set a maximum size of 31 inches for striped bass coast-wide. As a result Connecticut's previous slot of 28 inches to 35 inches is now reduced to 28-31 inches.

3/24/2023 - Changes to Black Sea Bass and Scup (Porgy) are regulations are official. Please visit our saltwater page for details.

3/1/2023- The Fisheries Division has partnered with FishBrain, the world's largest fishing app. This partnership allows CT to have the fishing regulations served up to app users for FREE! Download the app.

06/1/2022 - updated Marine sportfish regulations for Fluke, Scup, and Black Sea Bass.

07/01/2021 - You can now electronically sign your hunting and fishing license, which will allow you to keep a digitally signed copy on your smartphone instead of needing to have a signed printed copy!

06/30/2021 - Updates to the requirement for use of circle hooks when using bait to fish for striped bass.

01/01/2021 - Aquatic Invasive Species Fee for registered boats ($5 instate and $20 out of state) acquire via online licensing system

01/01/2021 - Circle hooks required for use when fishing with bait for Striped Bass.

instagram logo  facebook logo   youtube logo

Please contact the Fisheries Division with any questions. 

Phone: 860-434-6043
E-mail: deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov

Content last updated August 2023