Weakfish
Cynoscion regalis
Also called Gray trout, Squeteague.
How to tell it
Small spots in diagonal rows along the back, yellow-tinged fins, sea-trout body.
- Not a spotted seatrout? That one bigger scattered spots reaching the tail. (Spotted Seatrout)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 16" minimum | 1 per angler | Open year-roundCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 13 in min | 1 per day | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 12 in TL min in NE management zone | 1 per person in NE zone; 100 lb per person elsewhere | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 12 in TL min in NE management zone | 1 per person in NE zone; 100 lb per person elsewhere | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 13 in total length | 1 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 13 in min | 1 | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | 16" min | 1 fish | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 13 in min | 1 | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 16" | 1 | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 12 in TL min | 1/day | Open year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 16" min | 1/person/day | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 12 in total length | 1/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 12 in min | 1 per person | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 17 lb 14 oz | 1986 · Fayerweather Island | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 19 lb 2 oz | 1989 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 10 lb | 1987 · Port Canaveral | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 16.5 lb | 1979 · Nanticoke River | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Chesapeake division record |
| Massachusetts | 18 lb 12 oz | 1984 · Buzzards Bay | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Jersey | 18 lb 8 oz | 1986 · Delaware Bay | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 19 lb 2 oz | 1984 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 14 lb 14 oz | 1980 · Nags Head surf | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Rhode Island | 16 lb 8.72 oz | 2007 · Greenwich Bay | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 11 lb 13 oz | 1981 · Parris Island | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 19 lb | 1983 · Ches. Bay Br. Tunnel | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Very good but soft — eat fresh, doesn't freeze well.
In the app
Point the camera at a weakfish 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 weakfish
What is the size limit for weakfish?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 16" minimum; Delaware: 13 in min; Florida (Atlantic): 12 in TL min in NE management zone; Florida (Gulf): 12 in TL min in NE management zone; Georgia: 13 in total length; Maryland: 13 in min; Massachusetts: 16" min; New Jersey: 13 in min; and more in the table above.
How many weakfish can you keep?
Connecticut: 1 per angler; Delaware: 1 per day; Florida (Atlantic): 1 per person in NE zone; 100 lb per person elsewhere; Florida (Gulf): 1 per person in NE zone; 100 lb per person elsewhere; Georgia: 1 per person per day; Maryland: 1; Massachusetts: 1 fish; New Jersey: 1; and more in the table above.
How do you tell weakfish from spotted seatrout?
Weakfish has this: Small spots in diagonal rows along the back, yellow-tinged fins, sea-trout body.. Spotted Seatrout bigger scattered spots reaching the tail.
What is the record weakfish?
19 lb 2 oz in Delaware (1989). Other states’ records are in the table.