Can I Keep?Black Sea Bass Regulations in Connecticut (2026)
Recreational black sea bass rules in Connecticut saltwater, as published by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Marine Fisheries Program. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Black Sea Bass rules in Connecticut
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 15.5 inches** (New for 2026) **Excluding tail fin filament (tendril)
- Bag limit
- Daily creel limit: 4 fish per angler (New for 2026)
- Season
- Open Season: May 16 - November 25 (no mid-season closure) (New for 2026).
- Where
- Party/Charter vessels (paying passengers only)
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 15.5 inches** (New for 2026)
- Bag limit
- 4 fish per angler from May 16 - August 31 (New for 2026)
- Season
- 4 fish per angler from May 16 - August 31 (New for 2026)
- Daily logbook reporting required by Party/Charter Vessel operator for trips taking Black Sea Bass
- Open Season: May 16 - December 31 (New for 2026)
- Where
- Party/Charter vessels (paying passengers only)
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 15.5 inches** (New for 2026)
- Bag limit
- 6 fish per angler from September 1 - December 31 (New for 2026)
- Season
- 6 fish per angler from September 1 - December 31 (New for 2026)
- Daily logbook reporting required by Party/Charter Vessel operator for trips taking Black Sea Bass
- Open Season: May 16 - December 31 (New for 2026)
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size: 11”
- Bag limit
- 500lb (Black Sea Bass License Endorsement required to take sea bass – INCLUDING from lobster traps.); 60lb (Possession limit for the commercial harvest of black sea bass caught in lobster traps and when in possession of lobsters, no license endorsement required. Does not apply to personal use lobster license holders. Call-in required for landings from lobster pots: provide name, plate number, reporting week ending date and total pounds landed from pots during the reporting week: 860-447-4323.)
- Possession
- (c) Commercial Fishery Possession Limits. (1) No person engaged in commercial fishing shall possess or land black sea bass in excess of the following possession limits that are based on Connecticut’s annual black sea bass quota as specified in the Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: (A) during the winter one period defined herein as the period between January 1 and April 30, inclusive, the possession and landing limit shall be 2,000 pounds per bi-weekly period, except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this subdivision, and the period target quota shall be 30% of Connecticut’s annual quota, cumulatively; (B) during the summer period defined herein as the period between May 1 and October 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 400 pounds, except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this subdivision, and the period target quota shall be 99% of Connecticut’s annual quota, cumulatively; (C) during the winter two period defined herein as the period between November 1 and December 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 50 pounds per weekly period, except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this subd
- Season
- during the winter one period defined herein as the period between January 1 and April 30, inclusive, the possession and landing limit shall be 2,000 pounds per bi-weekly period during the summer period defined herein as the period between May 1 and October 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 400 pounds during the winter two period defined herein as the period between November 1 and December 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 50 pounds per weekly period
Quick answers
What is the black sea bass size limit in Connecticut?
Minimum length: 15.5 inches** (New for 2026) **Excluding tail fin filament (tendril) (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many black sea bass can I keep in Connecticut?
Daily creel limit: 4 fish per angler (New for 2026) (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is black sea bass season in Connecticut?
Open Season: May 16 - November 25 (no mid-season closure) (New for 2026).. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Black Sea Bass limits in other states →
More reef fish in Connecticut
All Connecticut saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Marine Fisheries Program. Most anglers need a Connecticut saltwater license or registry: get one here.