Connecticut state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Broad blunt snout, no ridge between dorsals, thick body; brackish wanderer. More on the bull shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for bull shark in Connecticut?
54" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many bull shark can you keep in Connecticut?
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined. Counts toward the Coastal sharks aggregate.
When is bull shark season in Connecticut?
Year-round.
How current is this Connecticut bull shark 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.
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