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Connecticut saltwater size limits and seasons

16 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
American Eel	Open year-round	9 inch minimum	25 per person per day
American Shad	Closed	—	—
Atlantic Menhaden	Open year-round	No size limit	50 fish or 5 gallons, whichever is more
Black Sea Bass	May 16 – November 25	15.5 inch minimum	4 per person per day
Bluefish	Open year-round	No size limit	5 per angler (7 on party/charter boats)
Hickory Shad	Open year-round	No size limit	6 American + hickory shad combined
Red Drum	Open year-round	under 27 inches	1 per person per day
River Herring	Closed	—	—
Scup	May 1 – December 31	9.5 inch minimum	30 per person per day
Smooth and Spiny Dogfish	Open year-round	No size limit	No daily limit
Striped Bass	Open year-round	28–31 inch slot	1 per person per day
Summer Flounder	May 4 – October 15	19 inch minimum (May 4 – August 1); 19.5 inch minimum (August 2 – October 15)	3 per person per day
Tautog	April 1 – April 30, July 1 – August 31, October 10 – November 28	16 inch minimum	2 (April, Jul–Aug); 3 (Oct 10 – Nov 28)
Weakfish	Open year-round	16 inch minimum	1 per person per day
White Perch	Open year-round	7 inch minimum	30 per person per day
Winter Flounder	April 1 – December 31	12 inch minimum	2 per person per day