Scup
Stenotomus chrysops
How to tell it
Small northern porgy; dusky fins, concave forehead.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 11" (boat anglers); 9.5" (shore anglers, including Enhanced Sites) | 30 per angler; party/charter 40 during Sep 1-Oct 31 | May 1 - Dec 31CT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 9 in min | 30 per day | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic)Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| MaineFederal rule (New England federal waters) | 10 in min | 40 per person per trip | Open all yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 9 in min | 30 | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | 11" vessel / 9.5" shore | 30 fish (for-hire 40 May 1-Jun 30) | May 1 - Dec 31MA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New HampshireFederal rule (New England federal waters) | 10 in min | 40 per person per trip | Open all yearNOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 10 in min | 30 | Jan 1 - Jun 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31NJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 9.5 in shore / 11 in vessel | 30 (party/charter: 40 Sept 1-Oct 31) | May 1 - Dec 31NY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 9 in TL min (N of Cape Hatteras) | 30/day N of Cape Hatteras; S of Hatteras in 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 11" min (9.5" from shore) | 30/person/day (party/charter: 40 Sep 1-Oct 31) | May 1 - Dec 31RI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | No size limit | 20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 9 in min | 30 per person | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Florida (Gulf), Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 5 lb 4.8 oz | 2019 · Montauk Harbor | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 5 lb 5 oz | 1979 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 6.2 lb | 1966 · Fenwick Shoal | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 5 lb 14 oz | 1983 · Nomans Land Island | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Jersey | 5 lb 14 oz | 1976 · Delaware Bay | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 6 lb 4 oz | 1978 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Rhode Island | 5 lb | 1990 | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 5 lb 5 oz | 1978 · Off Chincoteague | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
How anglers catch it
Small hooks with squid on a hi-lo rig over rocks and mussel beds; a first fish for many kids.
On the table
Good panfish — sweet, bony.
In the app
Point the camera at a scup and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about scup
What is the size limit for scup?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 11" (boat anglers); 9.5" (shore anglers, including Enhanced Sites); Delaware: 9 in min; Maine: 10 in min; Maryland: 9 in min; Massachusetts: 11" vessel / 9.5" shore; New Hampshire: 10 in min; New Jersey: 10 in min; New York: 9.5 in shore / 11 in vessel; and more in the table above.
How many scup can you keep?
Connecticut: 30 per angler; party/charter 40 during Sep 1-Oct 31; Delaware: 30 per day; Florida (Atlantic): 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; Georgia: 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; Maine: 40 per person per trip; Maryland: 30; Massachusetts: 30 fish (for-hire 40 May 1-Jun 30); New Hampshire: 40 per person per trip; and more in the table above.
When is scup season?
Connecticut: May 1 - Dec 31; Massachusetts: May 1 - Dec 31; New Jersey: Jan 1 - Jun 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31; New York: May 1 - Dec 31; Rhode Island: May 1 - Dec 31.
How do you catch scup?
Small hooks with squid on a hi-lo rig over rocks and mussel beds; a first fish for many kids. Methods: bottom. Baits: squid, clam, worm.
What is the record scup?
6 lb 4 oz in New York (1978). Other states’ records are in the table.