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
Connecticut state record
CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Hammer's front edge scalloped with lobes. More on the scalloped hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for scalloped hammerhead in Connecticut?
78" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many scalloped hammerhead can you keep in Connecticut?
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined. Counts toward the Coastal sharks aggregate.
When is scalloped hammerhead season in Connecticut?
Year-round.
What is the Connecticut record scalloped hammerhead?
235 lb, Block Island Sound (1992).
How current is this Connecticut scalloped 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.
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