If you feel like the New England states are running a bit behind on finalizing their marine fishing regulation for 2022, you’re not alone. Even as spring seasons open or approach, many anglers have had to pause and wonder if they were going to be in compliance by using last year’s regulations as a guideline. Luckily, for those that tried to squeeze in some springtime togging before the April 30th closure in Connecticut, there will be no changes to the regulations and seasons this year.
The same cannot be said for the other three cornerstones of Connecticut’s inshore bottom fishery; scup, sea bass and fluke. We had a chance to sit down with Marc Berger, president of the Connecticut Party and Charter Boat Association (CCPBA) and captain of Lucky Strike Charters and he was able to help us shed some light on what the bottom fishing will look like in 2022. “We worked really hard to get the best possible regulations for both recreational anglers and the for-hire fleet,” said Berger, “it wasn’t easy.”
Sea bass regs have baffled anglers throughout southern New England this year, after banner catches in 2021, the tightening of regulations in neighboring Rhode Island left a lot of anglers and captains speechless. “The fishing was no different for us here in Connecticut,” Marc told us, “and it doesn’t make any sense, NOAA conducted their own, independent study of the sea bass biomass and it was proven that there’s more than twice the required biomass for a sustainable fishery out there right now.” Marc described the new minimum size of 16 inches as ‘non-negotiable’, but given the severe hit handed down in Rhode Island, the fact that only the minimum size will change in Connecticut, almost feels like a blessing. The same ‘rule’ can be applied to the regulations for scup/porgies as well, the seasons will remain the same, but the minimum size has been increased from 9 inches to 10 inches for 2022. “NOAA conducted a similar study for the scup biomass and found nearly identical results, there’s more than double the mandated biomass for a sustainable fishery, and yet, we’re seeing a minimum size increase. It doesn’t make sense,” Berger added.
The best Connecticut regulatory news comes on behalf of everyone’s favorite flatfish. The fluke season has been extended and the minimum size has been decreased. Even this is slightly baffling given the difficulties most anglers have experienced over the past few years catching a limit of fluke. For the past several years the fluke season has opened in early May and closed on September 30, this year the season will open May 1 and close October 9, the bag limit of four will stay the same, but the minimum size will drop from 19 to 18-1/2 inches. We heard about lots of fluke falling ‘just shy’ of the 19-inch line last year, so this should help many anglers achieve their limits.
The limits will look like this in Connecticut for 2022, and luckily New York will follow suit on scup and fluke, making it easier to comfortably fish Long Island Sound – but watch those sea bass! The regulations for 2022 are as follows, keep an eye on the DEEP website for any other tweaks or changes to the regulations before you head out to fish.
Sea bass: May 19 to December 31 – 5 fish at 16 inches or greater. For hire will see an increase to 7 fish after September 1.
Scup/Porgy: No closed season, 30 fish per angler per day with a minimum size of 10 inches. For-hire vessels get a boost to 50 fish per angler September 1 to October 31.
Fluke: May 1 to October 9 – 4 fish at 18.5 inches.
