Connecticut state waters, out to 3 miles
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.
NOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Gear required HMS sharks
NOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
Shortfin makoStockier, conical snout, dagger teeth. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Connecticut state record
CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Long, slim, and genuinely blue above, with huge sickle pectorals and big eyes on a pointed snout. More on the blue shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask6
What is the size limit for blue shark in Connecticut?
54 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many blue shark can you keep in Connecticut?
1 shark per vessel per trip. Counts toward the Coastal sharks aggregate.
When is blue shark season in Connecticut?
Open year-round.
What gear is required for blue shark in Connecticut?
Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing with bait. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.
What is the Connecticut record blue shark?
361 lb, Ranger Wreck (1993).
How current is this Connecticut blue shark rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2025 · 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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