Connecticut saltwater fishing regulations 2026: tautog, striped bass, black sea bass, and fluke
CT tautog is open through November 28 at 3 fish per day with a 16-inch minimum. Striped bass is a 28-to-31-inch slot, 1 fish year-round. Fluke closes after October 15. Black sea bass runs through November 25 for shore and private anglers. All limits checked against the CT DEEP Saltwater Fishing Guide.
Connecticut recreational saltwater regulations for 2026 are set by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The controlling source is the CT DEEP Saltwater Fishing Guide at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing-Guide/Species-Regulations. Emergency in-season changes post there before they appear anywhere else; the agency page on the morning of the trip is the current source. The Saltwater News Connecticut regulations page at /regulations/connecticut/ shows all verified CT species rows with check dates.
What is the tautog season in Connecticut for 2026? The fall tautog season opened October 10 and runs through November 28. The bag limit is 3 fish per angler per day. The minimum size is 16 inches total length. Tautog hold on hard structure throughout Long Island Sound: wrecks, rock piles, jetties, and bridge pilings from the Connecticut River mouth west to Greenwich. Spring season ran April 1 through April 30 at 2 fish per day; summer season ran July 1 through August 31 at 2 fish per day. These limits are confirmed against the CT DEEP Saltwater Fishing Guide, last updated April 2026.
What is the striped bass size limit in Connecticut 2026? Connecticut uses a slot limit: anglers may keep one striped bass per day measuring 28 inches or longer but less than 31 inches total length. Fish below 28 inches or 31 inches and over must be released. The season is open year-round. When fishing with bait (not artificial lures), an inline circle hook is required. One fish per angler per day is the statewide limit regardless of water type or mode.
When does Connecticut summer flounder (fluke) close in 2026? The fluke season closes after October 15. The final window runs August 2 through October 15 with a 19.5-inch minimum and 3 fish per day. The earlier May 4 through August 1 window carried a 19-inch minimum. Anglers at CT DEEP Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites may fish to a 17-inch minimum. October 15 is the final day; no fluke retention is permitted after that date.
Black sea bass in Connecticut is open through November 25 for shore and private-boat anglers at 15.5 inches minimum and 4 fish per day. Party and charter-boat paying passengers may keep 4 fish per day through August 31 and 6 fish per day from September 1 through December 31, with the party/charter season running through December 31. The 15.5-inch minimum and 4-fish private bag are new for 2026. CT DEEP also updated bluefish for 2026: no minimum size, 5 fish per day for private anglers, 7 for party/charter paying passengers, season open year-round.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.