SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlue Crab regulations in Connecticut
· Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Blue Crab size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut marine waters | May 1 – November 30 | 5 inch minimum | No daily limit |
Notes
- No egg-bearing females.
Exact CT DEEP wording
- Season
- May 1 - November 30
- Size
- 5 inches hard shell; 3 1/2 inches soft shell (spike tip to spike tip)
- Limit
- None
- statewide — as printed
- “Blue Crab: Minimum shell width (spike tip to spike tip) 5 inches - Hard shell, 3 1/2 inches - Soft shell; Daily creel limit: None; Open Season: May 1 - November 30; Prohibition on egg-bearing females”
Source: CT DEEP, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the blue crab
Species of crustacean
Callinectes sapidus, commonly known as the blue crab, Atlantic blue crab, or, regionally, the Maryland blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and introduced internationally.
Read more about Callinectes sapidus on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from CT DEEP, not Wikipedia.
All 34 Connecticut species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Blue Crab in Connecticut?
5 inch minimum in Connecticut state waters.
How many Blue Crab can you keep per day in Connecticut?
No daily limit.
When is Blue Crab season in Connecticut?
May 1 – November 30.
Is my Blue Crab a keeper today?
A blue crab is a keeper today if it measures at least 5 inches, with no daily limit.