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
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkAnal fin is plain, snout shorter. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Black tips on every fin including the anal; long pointed snout; spins on the strike. More on the spinner shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for spinner shark in Connecticut?
54" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many spinner shark can you keep in Connecticut?
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined. Counts toward the Coastal sharks aggregate.
When is spinner shark season in Connecticut?
Year-round.
How current is this Connecticut spinner 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a spinner shark in Connecticut and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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