Connecticut state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Shovel-shaped rounded hammer — the small, friendly-looking hammerhead. More on the bonnethead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for bonnethead in Connecticut?
No size limit.
How many bonnethead can you keep in Connecticut?
1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit). Counts toward the Coastal sharks aggregate.
When is bonnethead season in Connecticut?
Year-round.
How current is this Connecticut bonnethead rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2026 · 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a bonnethead in Connecticut and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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