Can I Keep?Tautog (Blackfish) Regulations in Connecticut (2026)
Recreational tautog (blackfish) 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 Tautog (Blackfish) rules in Connecticut
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 16 inches
- Bag limit
- Open Season: April 1 - April 30, 2 fish per angler
- Season
- Open Season: April 1 - April 30, 2 fish per angler
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 16 inches
- Bag limit
- Open Season: July 1 - August 31, 2 fish per angler
- Season
- Open Season: July 1 - August 31, 2 fish per angler
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum length: 16 inches
- Bag limit
- Open Season: October 10 - November 28, 3 fish per angler
- Season
- Open Season: October 10 - November 28, 3 fish per angler
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size: 16”
- Possession
- (b) Commercial Fishery Possession Limit. No person engaged in commercial fishing shall possess or land tautog in excess of the following possession limits that are based on Connecticut’s annual tautog target harvest limit adopted under Amendment 1 to the
- Season
- except from April 1 to April 30, July 1 to August 31, and October 8 to December 24, all dates inclusive
- * 3 fish2,3 10 fish1,3 *Tautog tagging program mandated for 2026 *APPLICATION*
- When fishing under a Limited Access Commercial Fishing License (non-creel limited).
- When fishing under a Restricted Commercial Fishing or a creel-limited license.
- All commercially harvested Tautog must be tagged with the current year tags provided by the department. Open commercial seasons are: April 1-30, July 1-Aug 31, Oct 8 - Dec 24
Quick answers
What is the tautog (blackfish) size limit in Connecticut?
Minimum length: 16 inches (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many tautog (blackfish) can I keep in Connecticut?
Open Season: April 1 - April 30, 2 fish per angler (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is tautog (blackfish) season in Connecticut?
Open Season: April 1 - April 30, 2 fish per angler. 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.