Connecticut state waters, out to 3 miles
2026 change: no mid-season closure; party/charter season runs through Dec 31 with 6 fish from Sep 1.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Connecticut state record
CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states15 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for black sea bass in Connecticut?
15.5" minimum (excluding tail filament). Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in Connecticut?
4 per angler; party/charter 4 (May 16-Aug 31) then 6 (Sep 1-Dec 31).
When is black sea bass season in Connecticut?
May 16 - Nov 25 (party/charter May 16 - Dec 31). As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Connecticut record black sea bass?
7 lb 8 oz, Six Mile Reef (2005).
How current is this Connecticut black sea bass rule?
Source: CT DEEP 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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