Connecticut state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Nearly straight hammer with a center notch; towering dorsal. More on the great hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in Connecticut?
78" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in Connecticut?
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined. Counts toward the Coastal sharks aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in Connecticut?
Year-round.
How current is this Connecticut great hammerhead 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 great hammerhead in Connecticut and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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