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Rules · Scup · porgy

Scup size and bag limits by state

The East Coast scup rulebook, north to south. Managed under the ASMFC / Mid-Atlantic Council joint plan. Core fishery: Massachusetts to North Carolina. Rules on file here for 9 states, Massachusetts to North Carolina.

  1. MAMassachusetts
    Size
    11" minimum (private and for-hire vessel); 9.5" minimum (shore)
    Bag
    30 fish (private vessel and shore); for-hire: 40 fish May 1 – Jun 30, 30 fish Jul 1 – Dec 31
    Season
    May 1 – December 31
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 8, 2026Agency page ↗
  2. RIRhode Island
    Size
    11" minimum (private/rental and party/charter); 9.5" minimum (shore)
    Bag
    30 fish per person per day (party/charter: 40 fish Sept 1 – Oct 31)
    Season
    May 1 – December 31
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 8, 2026Agency page ↗
  3. CTConnecticut
    Size
    11" boat anglers; 9.5" shore anglers (incl. Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)
    Bag
    30 fish per angler per day
    Season
    May 1–December 31
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗
  4. NYNew York
    Size
    Shore 9.5"; vessel 11"
    Bag
    30 fish (party/charter customers: 40 fish Sept 1–Oct 31)
    Season
    May 1–December 31
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗
  5. NJNew Jersey
    Size
    10" minimum
    Bag
    30 fish
    Season
    January 1–June 30 and September 1–December 31
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗
  6. DEDelaware
    Size
    9" minimum
    Bag
    30
    Season
    All year
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗
  7. MDMaryland
    Size
    9" minimum
    Bag
    30 per day
    Season
    Open year-round
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗
  8. VAVirginia
    Size
    9" minimum (state waters)
    Bag
    30 per person (state waters)
    Season
    No closed season listed for state waters
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗
  9. NCNorth Carolina
    Size
    9" total length minimum
    Bag
    30 per person per day
    Season
    No closed season
    Openas of Oct 13Checked Oct 10, 2026Agency page ↗

Status is derived from each row's season dates on Oct 13, 2026. Rules change in season, and the agency page controls. A state missing from this list is one we have not verified yet. It may still have a rule.

The trap on this fish

Scup rules often differ by fishing mode. Shore anglers, for-hire boats and private boats can carry different sizes or bags in the same state.

Federal waters

Scup are jointly managed by ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Federal recreational measures apply in federal waters. NOAA Fisheries · scup ↗

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