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Delaware fish species, A to Z

All 196 species named in the 2026 DNREC regulations. Regulations opens the size limit, season and daily limit for every zone; About opens the species' Wikipedia article (identification, range, habits). Updated 2026-09-20.

Saltwater

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  African PompanoJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Albacore TunaTunas · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  AlewifeShads and Herrings · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Almaco JackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  American EelAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · 9 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  American ShadShads and Herrings · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic Angel SharkSharks (Prohibited) · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic Bluefin TunaTunas · 27 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic BonitoTunas · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic Chub MackerelMackerels · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic CodCods · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic CroakerDrums · 8 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic CutlassfishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic MackerelMackerels · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic NeedlefishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic Sharpnose SharkSharks (Small Coastal) · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic SpadefishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic SturgeonAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic Torpedo RaySkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic TripletailAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Banded RudderfishJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Bar JackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Barndoor SkateSkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Bigeye TunaTunas · 27 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Black DrumDrums · 16 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Black Sea BassBasses (Sea) · 12.5 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blacknose SharkSharks (Small Coastal) · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blacktip SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blue MarlinBillfishes · 99 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blue RunnerJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blue SharkSharks (Pelagic) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blueback HerringShads and Herrings · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  BluefishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blueline TilefishTilefishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Bluntnose StingraySkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Bonnethead SharkSharks (Small Coastal) · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Bull SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Bullnose RaySkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  ButterfishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Cero MackerelMackerels · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Clearnose SkateSkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  CobiaAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · 43 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Cownose RaySkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Crevalle JackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Cubera snapperSnappers · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Cunner (Bergall)Additional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Dog snapperSnappers · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  DolphinfishAdditional Offshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Dusky SharkSharks (Prohibited) · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  EscolarMackerels · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  False AlbacoreTunas · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Florida PompanoJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Four-Spot FlounderFlounders · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Gafftopsail CatfishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Golden TilefishTilefishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Goosefish (Monkfish)Additional Offshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Gray SnapperSnappers · No size limit
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  Gray TriggerfishTriggerfishes · No size limit
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  Great BarracudaAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Great Hammerhead SharkSharks (Hammerhead) · 78 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Greater AmberjackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Hickory ShadShads and Herrings · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Horse-Eye JackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Inshore LizardfishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  King MackerelMackerels · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  LadyfishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  LeatherjackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Lemon SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Lesser AmberjackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Little SkateSkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Longbill SpearfishBillfishes · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  LookdownJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Northern KingfishDrums · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Northern PufferPuffers · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Northern SearobinSearobins · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Northern StargazerAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Nurse SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Ocean TriggerfishTriggerfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Oceanic Whitetip SharkSharks (Pelagic) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Oyster ToadfishAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  PalometaJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  PermitJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  PigfishGrunts · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  PinfishPorgies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  PollockCods · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Rainbow RunnerJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Red DrumDrums · 20–27 inch slot
  RegulationsAbout
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  Red Hake (Ling)Hakes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Red PorgyPorgies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  RemoraAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Rock HindBasses (Sea) · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Roundscale SpearfishBillfishes · 66 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  SailfishBillfishes · 63 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Sand Tiger SharkSharks (Prohibited) · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Sandbar SharkSharks (Prohibited) · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Scalloped Hammerhead SharkSharks (Hammerhead) · 78 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  ScupPorgies · 9 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Sea BreamPorgies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Sea RavenAdditional Offshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  SheepsheadPorgies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Shortfin mako SharkSharks (Prohibited) · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Silky SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Silver HakeHakes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Silver PerchDrums · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Skipjack TunaTunas · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Smooth Butterfly RaySkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Smooth Hammerhead SharkSharks (Hammerhead) · 78 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Smooth PufferPuffers · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Smoothhound (Smooth Dogfish)Smoothhound and Spiny Dogfish · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Snowy GrouperBasses (Sea) · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Southern KingfishDrums · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Southern StingraySkates and Rays · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Spanish MackerelMackerels · 14 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Spinner SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Spiny DogfishSmoothhound and Spiny Dogfish · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  SpotDrums · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Spottail PinfishPorgies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Spotted HakeHakes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Spotted SeatroutDrums · 12 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Striped BassBasses (Temperate) · 28–31 inch slot
  RegulationsAbout
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  Striped SearobinSearobins · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Summer FlounderFlounders · 16 inch minimum (January 1 – May 31); 17.5 inch minimum (June 1 – December 31)
  RegulationsAbout
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  SwordfishBillfishes · 47 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  TarponAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  TautogAdditional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · 16 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Thresher SharkSharks (Pelagic) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Tiger SharkSharks (Large Coastal) · 54 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  WahooMackerels · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Warsaw GrouperBasses (Sea) · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  WeakfishDrums · 13 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  White GruntGrunts · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  White MarlinBillfishes · 66 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  White PerchBasses (Temperate) · 8 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  White SharkSharks (Prohibited) · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Windowpane FlounderFlounders · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Winter FlounderFlounders · 12 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Witch FlounderFlounders · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  WreckfishAdditional Offshore Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Yellow JackJacks and Pompanos · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Yellowfin TunaTunas · 27 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Yellowtail FlounderFlounders · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Yellowtail snapperSnappers · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout

Freshwater

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  AlewifeShads and Herrings · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  American EelAdditional Freshwater Species · 9 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  American ShadShads and Herrings · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Atlantic SturgeonSturgeons · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Black CrappieCrappies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blue CatfishCatfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blueback HerringShads and Herrings · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  BluegillSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  BowfinAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Brook TroutTrout · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Brown BullheadCatfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Brown TroutTrout · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Chain PickerelPickerels and Muskellunges · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Channel CatfishCatfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Common CarpCarps · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Flathead CatfishCatfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Golden Rainbow TroutTrout · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Golden ShinerAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Green SunfishSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Hickory ShadShads and Herrings · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Largemouth BassBasses (Black) · 12 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Longnose GarAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Mirror CarpCarps · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Mud SunfishSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  MuskellungePickerels and Muskellunges · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Northern SnakeheadAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Pumpkinseed SunfishSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Rainbow TroutTrout · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Redbreast SunfishSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Redear SunfishSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Redfin PickerelPickerels and Muskellunges · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Rock BassSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Shortnose SturgeonSturgeons · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Smallmouth BassBasses (Black) · under 12 inches; 17 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Striped BassBasses (Temperate) · 28–31 inch slot
  RegulationsAbout
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  Striped Bass HybridBasses (Temperate) · 15 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Tiger MuskellungePickerels and Muskellunges · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Tiger TroutTrout · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  WalleyeAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Warmouth SunfishSunfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  White CatfishCatfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  White CrappieCrappies · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  White PerchBasses (Temperate) · 8 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  White suckerAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Yellow BullheadCatfishes · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Yellow PerchAdditional Freshwater Species · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout

Shellfish & crabs

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  Atlantic LobsterShellfish · 3.375–5.25 inch slot
  RegulationsAbout
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  Blue CrabShellfish · 5 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Channeled WhelkConchs & whelks · 6 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Grass ShrimpShrimp · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout
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  Hard ClamShellfish · 1.5 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  Knobbed WhelkConchs & whelks · 5 inch minimum
  RegulationsAbout
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  OysterClams & oysters · closed to harvest
  RegulationsAbout
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  Sand FleaCrabs · No size limit
  RegulationsAbout