Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations
SPECIES, MINIMUM SIZES, DAILY LIMITS, & FISHING SEASONS
Effective 2013: Species regulations are subject to change. 
For legal purposes, the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies must be consulted.
Visit www.ct.gov/deep/laws-regs or contact Marine Fisheries (860-434-6043) for current regulations.
Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Program: This Marine Fisheries program is part of a broader Department effort to improve the quality of access and fishing to our Public Trust marine fisheries resources in CT, especially in urban areas. This unique program relies on reduced size limit regulations to allow angler’s young and old alike the opportunity to experience the joy and relaxation of outdoor recreation and the satisfaction of catching their own dinner. At the same time, the design of this program assures that marine fish conservation objectives continue to be met.
Minimum length is measured from the tip of the snout (head) to the end of the tail.
Spearfishing is an allowed recreational activity, subject to all sport fishing regulations.
Red type signifies new regulations for 2013.
|
Species |
Notes |
Minimum Length |
Daily |
Open Season |
|
Alewife/Blueback Herring |
The taking of Alewife and Blueback Herring is prohibited. |
|
|
|
|
American Eel |
Eel Pots limited to 2 pots per person, personal use only. Legal Methods: Angling, Snagging, Eel Pot |
6″ |
50 |
Year Round |
|
American Shad |
All state waters closed except the Connecticut River. |
None |
6 |
Year Round |
|
Atlantic Cod |
Visit www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs for updated federal regulations. |
22″ |
10 |
Year Round |
|
Black Sea Bass |
Split bag/season, length excludes the tendril. |
13″ |
3 |
June 15 – August 31 |
|
8 |
September 1 – October 29 |
|||
|
Bluefish |
|
None |
10 |
Year Round |
|
Haddock |
Visit www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs for updated federal regulations. |
18″ |
None |
Year Round |
|
Hickory Shad |
|
None |
6 |
Year Round |
|
Menhaden |
|
None |
50 fish or 5 gallons (whichever is the greater amount) |
Year Round |
|
Pollock |
Visit www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs for updated federal regulations. |
19″ |
None |
Year Round |
|
Scup (Porgy) |
Private Anglers |
10.5″ |
20 |
May 1 – December 31 |
|
Party/charter vessels |
11″ |
45 |
September 1 – October 31 |
|
|
Designated Shore Fishing Access Areas (see Appendix A on Enhanced Fishing Opportunities) |
9″ |
20 |
May 1 – December 31 |
|
|
Sea-Run Trout (Brown, Brook, Rainbow) |
|
15″ |
2 |
Year Round |
|
Striped Bass |
|
28″ |
2 |
Year Round |
|
Summer Flounder (Fluke) |
|
17.5″ |
5 |
May 15 – October 31 |
|
Summer Flounder: (See Appendix A, Enhanced Fishing Opportunities for Specific Summer Flounder Shore Fishing Locations) |
Designated Shore Fishing Access Areas (see Appendix A on Enhanced Fishing Opportunities) |
16″ |
5 |
May 15 – October 31 |
|
Tautog (Blackfish) |
|
16″ |
2 |
April 1 – April 30 |
|
16″ |
4 |
October 10 – December 6 |
||
|
Weakfish |
|
16″ |
1 |
Year Round |
|
White Perch |
|
7″ |
30 |
Year Round |
|
Winter Flounder |
|
12″ |
2 |
Open season: |
|
Sharks/Tuna |
|
|
|
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
