Atlantic HerringorAtlantic Menhaden

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus), side view, on a white background — **Atlantic Herring***Clupea harengus*

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), side view, on a white background — **Atlantic Menhaden***Brevoortia tyrannus*

Rules for both fish from 8 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Atlantic Herring

Classic slim silver herring — no spots, no threads; deep-blue back over bright chrome.

Atlantic Menhaden

Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools.

Atlantic menhaden, next to Atlantic herring: big spot plus trailing spots.

Side by side

	Atlantic Herring	Atlantic Menhaden
Scientific name	Clupea harengus	Brevoortia tyrannus
Also called	Sea herring	Bunker, Pogy, Fatback
Waters	Inshore	Inshore
Heaviest state record	0.1 lb · Maine (2004)	—
On the table	Bait here, dinner in Scandinavia.	Bait and chum — not table fare.
Rules of its own in	2 states	7 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 7 of 8 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, Atlantic menhaden is No size limit, 50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater while Atlantic herring has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

State	Atlantic Herring: size · bag · season	Atlantic Menhaden: size · bag · season
Connecticut	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greaterOpen year-roundOpenCT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Maine	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Maryland	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked 2026-09-18
Massachusetts	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · likely · checked 2026-09-07	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
New Hampshire	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked 2026-09-10	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked 2026-09-10
New York	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit100Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
North Carolina	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Rhode Island	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit200/person/day (fish over 4"; unlimited under 4")Open year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked 2026-09-18

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Atlantic herring from Atlantic menhaden?

Atlantic Herring: Classic slim silver herring — no spots, no threads; deep-blue back over bright chrome. Atlantic Menhaden: Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools. Atlantic menhaden, next to Atlantic herring: big spot plus trailing spots.

Which is better to eat, Atlantic herring or Atlantic menhaden?

Atlantic Herring: Bait here, dinner in Scandinavia. Atlantic Menhaden: Bait and chum — not table fare.

Do Atlantic herring and Atlantic menhaden have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 7 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Atlantic herring no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater; Maine: Atlantic herring no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 25 per day; Maryland: Atlantic herring no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, No bag limit; Massachusetts: Atlantic herring No size limit, No bag limit, Atlantic menhaden no rule of its own; New York: Atlantic herring no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 100; and more in the table on this page.