Atlantic MenhadenorAtlantic Thread Herring

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 Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), side view, on a white background — **Atlantic Menhaden***Brevoortia tyrannus*

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Thread Herring (Opisthonema oglinum), side view, on a white background — **Atlantic Thread Herring***Opisthonema oglinum*

Rules for both fish from 9 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 Menhaden

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

Atlantic menhaden, next to Atlantic thread herring: no thread, spot trail.

Atlantic Thread Herring

Last dorsal ray trails into a long thread; single shoulder spot on a deep herring body.

Atlantic thread herring, next to Atlantic menhaden: last dorsal ray trails a long thread.

Side by side

	Atlantic Menhaden	Atlantic Thread Herring
Scientific name	Brevoortia tyrannus	Opisthonema oglinum
Also called	Bunker, Pogy, Fatback	Threadfin, Greenie
Waters	Inshore	Inshore
Heaviest state record	—	—
On the table	Bait and chum — not table fare.	Bait.
Rules of its own in	7 states	2 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 9 of 9 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 thread 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 Menhaden: size · bag · season	Atlantic Thread Herring: size · bag · season
Connecticut	No size limit50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greaterOpen year-roundOpenCT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-18	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
Florida (Atlantic)	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Florida (Gulf)	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Maine	No size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked 2026-09-18	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
Maryland	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked 2026-09-18	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	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
New York	No size limit100Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
North Carolina	No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked 2026-09-18	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
Rhode Island	No size limit200/person/day (fish over 4"; unlimited under 4")Open year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked 2026-09-18	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Atlantic menhaden from Atlantic thread herring?

Atlantic Menhaden: Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools. Atlantic Thread Herring: Last dorsal ray trails into a long thread; single shoulder spot on a deep herring body. Atlantic thread herring, next to Atlantic menhaden: last dorsal ray trails a long thread. Atlantic menhaden, next to Atlantic thread herring: no thread, spot trail.

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

Atlantic Menhaden: Bait and chum — not table fare. Atlantic Thread Herring: Bait.

Do Atlantic menhaden and Atlantic thread herring have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 9 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater, Atlantic thread herring no rule of its own; Florida (Atlantic): Atlantic menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic thread herring No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more); Florida (Gulf): Atlantic menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic thread herring No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more); Maine: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 25 per day, Atlantic thread herring no rule of its own; Maryland: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, No bag limit, Atlantic thread herring no rule of its own; and more in the table on this page.