Connecticut
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Connecticut?

A Connecticut Marine Waters Fishing License is required for anyone 16 and older fishing from shore or a boat in the marine district, or landing marine fish taken offshore. It is free for residents 65 and over; anglers under 16 can carry the free Youth Fishing Passport.

Q: How far out do Connecticut state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line Connecticut DEEP sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region sets the federal rules, and where Connecticut has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for Connecticut?

Connecticut sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. CT DEEP publishes no explicit default rule; marine species without listed regulations have no minimum length, creel limit, or closed season, but rules can change midyear — verify current CT DEEP listings

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these Connecticut rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Connecticut DEEP sets the rules inside Connecticut’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Rhode Island · New York

61 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 11 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Connecticut lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Alewife

River herring, Buckie Alosa pseudoharengus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Taking anadromous alewife and blueback herring is prohibited in all CT waters including Long Island Sound; landlocked exemptions are inland only.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
American Eel

Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

Size
9" minimum

Bag
25 per angler

Season
Open year-round

Open

Taking glass eels, elvers, and silver eels is prohibited.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size
No size limit

Bag
6 (aggregate with hickory shad)

Season
Closed in marine waters; open only in the Connecticut River system

Closed

All state waters closed to American shad except the Connecticut River system.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Cod

Codfish Gadus morhua

Size
Per federal regulations

Bag
Per federal regulations

Season
Per federal regulations

Open

CT DEEP defers cod to federal (NOAA) groundfish regulations; verify current federal limits before harvest.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Atlantic Halibut

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Federal rule (New England federal waters). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
41 in total length

Bag
1 per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

One fish per BOAT per trip, not per angler.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Menhaden

Bunker, Pogy, Fatback Brevoortia tyrannus

Size
No size limit

Bag
50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gill net take requires a Personal Use Gill Net License.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Salmon

Sea-run salmon Salmo salar

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Prohibited species in marine waters; the only exception is the inland broodstock fishery under RCSA 26-112.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit)

Season
Year-round

Open

Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.
Federal HMS permit required to take or possess; rod-and-reel or handline only, landed with head, tail, and fins attached; no CT harvest when federal waters closed.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

May not be taken or possessed in Connecticut regardless of where taken; release immediately.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Wolffish

Ocean catfish Anarhichas lupus

Federal rule (New England federal waters). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
—

Bag
No harvest or possession

Season
Prohibited

Put it back

Protected in federal and Massachusetts waters — release immediately.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Sea Bass

Sea bass Centropristis striata

Size
15.5" minimum (excluding tail filament)

Bag
4 per angler; party/charter 4 (May 16-Aug 31) then 6 (Sep 1-Dec 31)

Season
May 16 - Nov 25 (party/charter May 16 - Dec 31)

Open

2026 change: no mid-season closure; party/charter season runs through Dec 31 with 6 fish from Sep 1.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
99" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

HMS permit with shark endorsement and circle-hook rules apply.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing with bait; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.
NOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blueback Herring

River herring Alosa aestivalis

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Taking anadromous alewife and blueback herring is prohibited in all CT waters including Long Island Sound.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluefish

Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per angler (7 on party/charter)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Limit includes snapper bluefish; party/charter limit is 7 for paying passengers (2026 change).
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit)

Season
Year-round

Open

Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

HMS permit with shark endorsement plus circle hooks required; bigeye thresher is prohibited — common thresher only.
Common thresher is not on CT's prohibited list (bigeye thresher is); federal HMS permit required.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing with bait; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.
NOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
78" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a swordfish, tuna, or billfish is on board. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Not on CT's prohibited list; federal HMS permit required and federal rules apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Size
Per federal regulations

Bag
Per federal regulations

Season
Per federal regulations

Open

CT DEEP defers haddock to federal (NOAA) groundfish regulations; verify current federal limits before harvest.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Size
No size limit

Bag
6 per angler (aggregate with American shad)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Creel is a combined 6-fish aggregate with American shad.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Ocean Pout

Zoarces americanus

Federal rule (New England federal waters). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
—

Bag
No retention

Season
Prohibited

Put it back

No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Pollock

Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

Size
Per federal regulations

Bag
Per federal regulations

Season
Per federal regulations

Open

CT DEEP defers pollock to federal (NOAA) groundfish regulations; verify current federal limits before harvest.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Still an authorized species as of the latest HMS tables, but one alive at the boat must be released if tuna or billfish are aboard; permit + circle-hook rules apply.
Not on CT's prohibited list; federal HMS permit required and federal rules apply in CT waters.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing with bait; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.
NOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Rainbow Smelt

Smelt Osmerus mordax

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

No take or possession of rainbow smelt from the marine district.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
27" maximum

Bag
1 per angler

Season
Open year-round

Open

Maximum size only; no minimum length.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
63" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
78" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a swordfish, tuna, or billfish is on board. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Not on CT's prohibited list; federal HMS permit required and federal rules apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

Size
11" (boat anglers); 9.5" (shore anglers, including Enhanced Sites)

Bag
30 per angler; party/charter 40 during Sep 1-Oct 31

Season
May 1 - Dec 31

Open

Shore anglers get the reduced 9.5" minimum; party/charter limit rises to 40 fish Sep 1-Oct 31.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
Take prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Exempt from CT shark restrictions; no HMS permit needed.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
78 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal waters only — Florida state waters prohibit all hammerhead harvest; can't be kept with tuna or billfish aboard.
Not on CT's prohibited list; federal HMS permit required and federal rules apply in CT waters.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing with bait; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.
NOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Federal HMS permit required; federal possession limits, minimum lengths, and closures apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Exempt from CT shark restrictions; no HMS permit needed.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
28" to <31" slot

Bag
1 per angler

Season
Open year-round

Open

Inline circle hooks required when fishing with bait; no spearing; fish under 28" or 31" and over must be released.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15); 17" at Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites

Bag
3 per angler

Season
May 4 - Oct 15

Open

Minimum steps up to 19.5" from Aug 2 (currently in effect); 17" applies only at designated Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
47" LJFL min

Bag
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tautog

Tautoga onitis

Size
16" minimum

Bag
2 per angler (Apr and Jul-Aug); 3 per angler (Oct 10-Nov 28)

Season
Apr 1-30, Jul 1-Aug 31, Oct 10-Nov 28

Closed

Three split seasons; fall season (Oct 10-Nov 28) allows 3 fish.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54" FL min

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Not on CT's prohibited list; federal HMS permit required and federal rules apply in CT waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Weakfish

Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

Size
16" minimum

Bag
1 per angler

Season
Open year-round

Open

CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
66" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Perch

Perch Morone americana

Size
7" min

Bag
30 per angler per day

Season
Year-round

Open

CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Windowpane Flounder

Sand dab Scophthalmus aquosus

Federal rule (New England federal waters). Connecticut lists none of its own.

Size
—

Bag
No retention

Season
Prohibited

Put it back

No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Winter Flounder

Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Size
12" minimum

Bag
2 per angler

Season
Apr 1 - Dec 31

Open

CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Every other species

CT DEEP publishes no explicit default rule; marine species without listed regulations have no minimum length, creel limit, or closed season, but rules can change midyear — verify current CT DEEP listings

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

A Connecticut Marine Waters Fishing License is required for anyone 16 and older fishing from shore or a boat in the marine district, or landing marine fish taken offshore. It is free for residents 65 and over; anglers under 16 can carry the free Youth Fishing Passport.

Get a Connecticut license

Nearby waters: Rhode Island · New York · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Connecticut

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Connecticut?