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Connecticut freshwater size limits and seasons

15 species, 2026 rules for state waters. Tap a species for every zone, the exact CT DEEP wording and a keeper check. Updated 2026-10-04. All 34 Connecticut species A–Z →

Species	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Atlantic Salmon	Open year-round	No size limit	1 in stocked lakes (Apr–Feb); rivers Dec 16 – Aug 31; otherwise catch and release
Bullhead	Open year-round	No size limit	No daily limit
Burbot	Closed	—	—
Chain Pickerel	Open year-round	15 inch minimum	6 per person per day
Channel Catfish	Open year-round	No size limit	6 per person per day
Common Carp	Open year-round	No size limit	5, only 1 over 30 in
Kokanee	April 11 – February 28	No size limit	5 per person per day
Largemouth Bass	Open year-round	12 inch minimum	6 largemouth + smallmouth combined
Northern Pike	Open year-round	26 inch minimum	2 per person per day
Panfish	Open year-round	No size limit	No daily limit
Smallmouth Bass	Open year-round	12 inch minimum	6 largemouth + smallmouth combined
Smelt	Open year-round	No size limit	50 per person per day
Sturgeon	Closed	—	—
Trout	April 11 – February 28	9 inch minimum	5 per person per day
Walleye	Open year-round	18 inch minimum	2 per person per day