Saltwater Fish of Connecticut
Northern Puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus
🏆 Connecticut State Record
Harvest—
Catch & Release10"Evan Kamoen · 2017 · Hammonasset
All Connecticut state records →
Also called: Blowfish, Puffer
Identification
Small, round-bodied fish with prickly skin that inflates when handled; dark bars on the sides.
Habitat
Shallow bays and flats along the Connecticut shore in summer.
Behavior
Nibbles baits with beak-like teeth.
How to Catch
Small hooks with squid or clam on the bottom. Never eat puffers unless you know how to clean them safely.