Jonah Crab Regulations in Connecticut (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

Minimum size = 4.75-inch carapace length.

Bag limit

Lobster Pot: No Limit; Non-trap: 1,000 crabs

Possession

Jonah Crab (Cancer borealis) (a) Commercial Fishery. (1) No person engaged in commercial fishing by use of a pot or trap shall take Jonah crab except by lobster pot or trap meeting the requirements set forth in Sections 26-157c-2 and 26-157c-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. (2) No person engaged in otter trawl fishing including scallop dredge fishing shall possess or land Jonah crabs in excess of 1,000 crabs. (3) The possession and landing limits specified in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall apply to the vessel, regardless of how many persons are on board. Possession limits shall apply per trip or per day, whichever is the longer period of time. Transfer of Jonah crabs between vessels at sea is prohibited. In any instance when there is a violation of the possession limit on board a vessel carrying more than one person when the catch is commingled, the violation shall be deemed to have been committed by the o wner of the vessel, or the operator of the vessel, if the owner is not on board. (4) No person engaged in commercial fishing or acting as a seafood dealer shall possess or land Jonah crab: (A) less than 4.75 inches carapace width; or (B) with ova or s

Official source