Can I Keep?Scup (Porgy) Regulations in Connecticut (2026)
Recreational scup (porgy) 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 Scup (Porgy) rules in Connecticut
- Where
- Boat anglers
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 11 inches for boat anglers / 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)
- Bag limit
- Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler
- Season
- Open Season: May 1 - December 31
- Where
- Shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 11 inches for boat anglers / 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)
- Bag limit
- Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler
- Season
- Open Season: May 1 - December 31
- Where
- Party/Charter vessels (paying passengers only)
- Bag limit
- 30 fish per angler from May 1 - August 31 and November 1 - December 31
- Season
- 30 fish per angler from May 1 - August 31 and November 1 - December 31
- Where
- Party/Charter vessels (paying passengers only)
- Bag limit
- 40 fish per angler from September 1 - October 31
- Season
- 40 fish per angler from September 1 - October 31
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size: 9”
- Bag limit
- 12,000lb (NO Scup License Endorsement letter is required to land scup during the Winter I and Winter II periods (Jan-April, Oct-Dec))
- Possession
- (c) Commercial Fishery Possession and Landing Limits. (1) No person engaged in commercial fishing shall possess or land scup in excess of the following possession limits that are based on the coastwide scup quota and Connecticut’s summer period scup quota as specified in the Scup 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, both dates inclusive, the possession limit shall be the same as the federal waters possession limit for this period as specified by NOAA; (B) during the summer period defined herein as the period between May 1 and September 30, both dates inclusive, the possession limit shall be 1,500 pounds except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this subdivision, and the period target quota shall be 100% of Connecticut’s summer period quota; (C) during the winter two period defined herein as the period between October 1 and December 31, both dates inclusive, the possession limit shall be the same as the federal waters possession limit for this period as specified by NOAA; (D) during the summer period the department shall monitor landings weekly and per
- Season
- during the winter one period defined herein as the period between January 1 and April 30, both dates inclusive, the possession limit shall be the same as the federal waters possession limit for this period as specified by NOAA during the summer period defined herein as the period between May 1 and September 30, both dates inclusive, the possession limit shall be 1,500 pounds except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this subdivision during the winter two period defined herein as the period between October 1 and December 31, both dates inclusive, the possession limit shall be the same as the federal waters possession limit for this period as specified by NOAA
- Scup License Endorsement required May 1 – Sep 30, EXCEPT:
- Under a Restricted Commercial Fishing License: 100 fish limit
- In the commercial Lobster Pot Fishery: 10 fish limit
Quick answers
What is the scup (porgy) size limit in Connecticut?
Minimum length: 11 inches for boat anglers / 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites) (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many scup (porgy) can I keep in Connecticut?
Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is scup (porgy) season in Connecticut?
Open Season: May 1 - December 31. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
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.