Can I Keep?Bluefish Regulations in Connecticut (2026)
Recreational bluefish 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 Bluefish rules in Connecticut
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum length: None
- Bag limit
- Daily creel limit: 5 fish per angler (including "snappers") (New for 2026)
- Season
- Open Season: Open Year Round
- Where
- Party/Charter vessels (paying passengers only)
- Bag limit
- Party/Charter Vessel: for paying passengers only - daily creel limit, 7 fish per angler. (New for 2026)
- Season
- Open Season: Open Year Round
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size: 9”
- Bag limit
- 1,000lb
- Possession
- (d) Commercial Fishery Possession Limit. (1) No person engaged in commercial fishing shall possess or land bluefish in excess of the following possession limits that are based on Connecticut’s annual bluefish quota specified in the Bluefish 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 1,000 pounds, except as provided in subparagraphs (D), (E) and (F) of this subdivision; (B) during the summer period defined herein as the period between May 1 and October 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 1,000 pounds, except as provided in subparagraphs (D), (E) and (F) of this subdivision; (C) during the winter two period defined herein as the period between November 1 and December 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 1,000 pounds, except as provided in subparagraphs (D), (E) and (F) of this subdivision, and the period target quota shall be 100% of Connecticut’s annual quota, cumulatively; (D) during each period the department shall monitor weekly landings and may periodically adjust the possession limit
- 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 1,000 pounds during the summer period defined herein as the period between May 1 and October 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 1,000 pounds during the winter two period defined herein as the period between November 1 and December 31, inclusive, the possession limit shall be 1,000 pounds
Quick answers
What is the bluefish size limit in Connecticut?
Minimum length: None (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many bluefish can I keep in Connecticut?
Daily creel limit: 5 fish per angler (including "snappers") (New for 2026) (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is bluefish season in Connecticut?
Open Season: Open Year Round. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Bluefish limits in other states →
More offshore & pelagic 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.