Gulf MenhadenorAtlantic Menhaden

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

Studio photograph of a Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), side view, on a white background — **Gulf Menhaden***Brevoortia patronus*

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

Gulf Menhaden

The Gulf's bunker — shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots, keeled belly, tight flipping schools.

Atlantic Menhaden

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

Atlantic menhaden, next to Gulf menhaden: Atlantic-side twin.

Side by side

	Gulf Menhaden	Atlantic Menhaden
Scientific name	Brevoortia patronus	Brevoortia tyrannus
Also called	Pogy	Bunker, Pogy, Fatback
Waters	Inshore	Inshore
Heaviest state record	—	—
On the table	Bait and chum.	Bait and chum — not table fare.
Rules of its own in	1 states	7 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 8 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 Gulf menhaden has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

State	Gulf Menhaden: 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
Florida (Gulf)	No size limitNo bag limit for baitOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked 2026-09-18	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
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
New Hampshire	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	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 Gulf menhaden from Atlantic menhaden?

Gulf Menhaden: The Gulf's bunker — shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots, keeled belly, tight flipping schools. Atlantic Menhaden: Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools. Atlantic menhaden, next to Gulf menhaden: Atlantic-side twin.

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

Gulf Menhaden: Bait and chum. Atlantic Menhaden: Bait and chum — not table fare.

Do Gulf menhaden and Atlantic menhaden have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 8 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Gulf menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater; Florida (Gulf): Gulf menhaden No size limit, No bag limit for bait, Atlantic menhaden no rule of its own; Maine: Gulf menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 25 per day; Maryland: Gulf menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, No bag limit; New Hampshire: Gulf menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic menhaden No size limit, No bag limit; and more in the table on this page.