Tautog
Tautoga onitis
How to tell it
Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 16" minimum | 2 per angler (Apr and Jul-Aug); 3 per angler (Oct 10-Nov 28) | Apr 1-30, Jul 1-Aug 31, Oct 10-Nov 28CT DEEP 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Delaware | 16 in min | 4 per day | Jan 1 - May 15 and Jul 1 - Dec 31DE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maine | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 16 in min | 4 (Jan 1-May 15 and Nov 1-Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1-Oct 31) | Jul 1-May 15; catch-and-release only May 16-Jun 30MD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | 16" min; only one fish over 21" | 3 (Apr 1-May 31), 1 (Jun 1-Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1-Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15-Dec 31) | Apr 1 - Dec 31, seasonal bag changesMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 15" min | 4 (Jan 1–Feb 28); 4 (Apr 1–Apr 30); 1 (Aug 1–Nov 15); 5 (Nov 16–Dec 31) | Jan 1 – Feb 28, Apr 1 – Apr 30, Aug 1 – Nov 15, Nov 16 – Dec 31NJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 16" | 2 (April); 4 (fall, NY Bight) | Apr 1-30 and Oct 15 - Dec 22 (NY Bight)NY DEC 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Rhode Island | 16" min (only one fish >21") | 3/person/day Apr 1-May 31 and Aug 1-Oct 14; 5/person/day Oct 15-Dec 31; max 10/vessel/day (private) | Apr 1 - May 31, Aug 1 - Dec 31 (closed Jun 1 - Jul 31)RI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 16 in min | 4 per person | Open year-round except May 16 - Jun 30VMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 26 lb 9.6 oz | 2015 · Two Tree Island | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 22 lb 14.4 oz | 2023 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 7.83 lb | 2023 · Pine Point, Scarborough | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 28.8 lb | 2015 · Ocean City | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Atlantic division record |
| Massachusetts | 22 lb 9 oz | 1978 · Gay Head | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 9 lb 0.06 oz | 2012 · Hampton Harbor, Seabrook | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 25 lb 13 oz | 2020 · Atlantic Ocean, 20 miles off Cape May | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 22 lb 8 oz | 2014 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 19 lb | 1992 · Off Oregon Inlet | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Rhode Island | 23 lb 15.12 oz | 2025 · Newport | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 6 lb 5 oz | 2021 · Murrells Inlet | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 24 lb 3 oz | 2012 · Morgan Wreck | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Excellent, firm white flesh.
In the app
Point the camera at a tautog 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 tautog
What is the size limit for tautog?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 16" minimum; Delaware: 16 in min; Maryland: 16 in min; Massachusetts: 16" min; only one fish over 21"; New Jersey: 15" min; New York: 16"; Rhode Island: 16" min (only one fish >21"); Virginia: 16 in min.
How many tautog can you keep?
Connecticut: 2 per angler (Apr and Jul-Aug); 3 per angler (Oct 10-Nov 28); Delaware: 4 per day; Maryland: 4 (Jan 1-May 15 and Nov 1-Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1-Oct 31); Massachusetts: 3 (Apr 1-May 31), 1 (Jun 1-Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1-Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15-Dec 31); New Jersey: 4 (Jan 1–Feb 28); 4 (Apr 1–Apr 30); 1 (Aug 1–Nov 15); 5 (Nov 16–Dec 31); New York: 2 (April); 4 (fall, NY Bight); Rhode Island: 3/person/day Apr 1-May 31 and Aug 1-Oct 14; 5/person/day Oct 15-Dec 31; max 10/vessel/day (private); Virginia: 4 per person.
When is tautog season?
Connecticut: Apr 1-30, Jul 1-Aug 31, Oct 10-Nov 28; Delaware: Jan 1 - May 15 and Jul 1 - Dec 31; Maryland: Jul 1-May 15; catch-and-release only May 16-Jun 30; Massachusetts: Apr 1 - Dec 31, seasonal bag changes; New Jersey: Jan 1 – Feb 28, Apr 1 – Apr 30, Aug 1 – Nov 15, Nov 16 – Dec 31; New York: Apr 1-30 and Oct 15 - Dec 22 (NY Bight); Rhode Island: Apr 1 - May 31, Aug 1 - Dec 31 (closed Jun 1 - Jul 31); Virginia: Open year-round except May 16 - Jun 30.
What is the record tautog?
28.8 lb in Maryland (2015), Ocean City. Other states’ records are in the table.