Learn everything you need to know about the king of the sea with our Lobster 101 Guide. We start by talking about the history of lobster in Maine. We then talk about the different kinds of lobster, their grades, when they are caught, their colors, and of course, how to cook lobster. Plus, we list our favorite fun facts about lobster.
Lobsters come in a variety of sizes from small chicken lobsters to giant trophy lobsters. But on average, how long is a typical lobster? Let’s take a closer look at lobster sizes to understand how many inches these delicious crustaceans reach.
Average Lobster Length
The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is the most common species caught for food. An adult typically measures 12 inches long from the tip of its body to the end of its tail. Their average weight is around 2 pounds.
Males tend to be slightly larger than females. A lobster’s size is measured based on the length of its carapace, which is the part of the shell that covers the head and upper body.
Minimum and Maximum Size Limits
There are regulations around minimum and maximum lobster sizes that can be legally harvested. In Maine, the minimum legal size is 3 1/4 inches carapace length. The maximum is 5 inches. Anything smaller than 3 1/4 inches is tossed back to grow. Anything over 5 inches is also released as it is considered a breeder lobster essential for maintaining future stocks.
Factors Affecting Growth Rate
Many factors influence a lobster’s rate of growth and ultimate size. These include:
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Age: It takes about 6-8 years for a lobster to reach 1 pound in weight. The older a lobster gets, the bigger it grows.
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Molting: Lobsters must periodically shed their rigid exoskeletons to allow for growth. More frequent molting enables faster growth.
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Temperature: Warmer temperatures increase molting frequency and growth rate.
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Diet: Lobsters fed nutrient-rich diets grow faster and larger.
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Genetics: Some genetic lines simply grow bigger than others.
Average Sizes by Name
The seafood industry has size classifications to help buyers choose lobsters based on expected meat content. Here are the common market sizes:
- Chicken lobster: 1 to 1.25 lbs
- Quarter: 1.25 to 1.5 lbs
- Half: 1.5 to 1.75 lbs
- Deuce: 2 to 3 lbs
- Jumbo: Over 3 lbs
Chicken lobsters average about 9 inches long. Quarters reach around 10 inches. Halves are typically 11-12 inches. Deuces can be over a foot long. Jumbos may exceed 15 inches.
Outliers: Record-Setting Lobster Sizes
While today’s average lobster lengths top out around 12 inches, lobsters over 20 inches long have been recorded throughout history.
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The largest lobster ever documented was caught in Nova Scotia in 1977. It was an incredible 44 inches long and weighed over 40 pounds!
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In the 1920s, a 37 inch, 32 pound lobster was captured off the Massachusetts coast.
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A 27 pound lobster measuring 3 feet in length was reeled in off Maine in the 1930s.
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Even in recent years, lobsters over 20 inches and 20 pounds have made headlines when caught.
Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, lobsters over 20 pounds were not unheard of. They were referred to as “ten-dollar lobsters” based on their premium market value. Such trophy lobsters are rare today due to heavy fishing pressures. But they show the immense growth potential of lobsters given enough time.
Why Bigger Lobsters Used to be More Common
In the past, it was more likely for lobsters to live long enough to reach mammoth proportions. Here’s why:
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Limited fishing: Commercial lobster fishing did not take off until the late 1800s. For centuries prior, lobster populations were relatively unfished, enabling maximum lifespans.
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No size restrictions: Early lobster fisheries captured all sizes with no regulations. Huge lobsters were kept rather than released as they are today.
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Fewer predators: Large predator fish like Atlantic cod that fed on lobsters have declined, leaving more lobsters to grow bigger.
So while 20+ pound lobsters grab headlines today as rare oddities, they were once prized catches that helped build the lobstering industry.
Size Regulations Protect Large Lobsters
Current regulations prohibit harvesting lobsters over 5 inches long and egg-bearing females for conservation purposes. Limiting fishing of large, reproductive lobsters helps maintain stocks. These big lobsters also contribute disproportionately to future generations since larger females produce exponentially more eggs.
However, regulations have made mega lobsters a rarity. Most lobsters go to market between the maximum legal size of 5 inches up to the 6-8 inch range. Anything above that is unusual now compared to decades past.
Does Size Affect Lobster Quality?
There is debate around whether small or large lobsters taste better. Some argue that bigger lobsters are tougher and less flavorful. But this perception often results from improper cooking. Large lobsters require adjusted cooking times to bring out their best texture and taste.
When cooked correctly, bigger lobsters can offer a richer flavor, denser texture, and higher meat yield for your money. However, smaller lobsters may be more approachable for novice lobster eaters. It comes down to personal eating preferences.
Picking the Right Lobster Size
Consider how you plan to enjoy your lobster when choosing size. Here are some general guidelines:
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For individual meals, pick lobsters around 1.5 pounds. They are easy to handle but still have ample meat.
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Bigger lobsters like 3 pound deuces work better for multiple people to share.
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Prioritize meat density in dishes where lobster is chopped/shredded like rolls, pasta, etc. Go for larger sizes.
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Highlight delicate flavor in light dishes like seafood salads or buttery baked lobster tails. Lean towards chicken or quarter sizes.
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Splurge on trophy jumbos for special occasions like proposals, anniversaries, etc.
No matter the size, be sure to source high-quality hard-shell live lobsters and use proper cooking techniques to enjoy your catch’s full decadence. With sound preparation, lobsters of any size can make for a memorable meal.
So now you know that while average lobsters are around 12 inches, these claws can crack to epic proportions under the right conditions. Part of the fun of lobstering is that you never know what giant you might pull up next!
Legal Minimum and Maximum Size Lobster
The legal minimum length is 3 1/4 inches. Lobsters under this length are call “shorts” or “snappers” and must be thrown back into the ocean. There are minimum sizes for lobsters to make sure they are old enough to breed at least once before they are caught. Maine law says that if a female lobster with eggs is found, a v-shaped cut must be made in her right tail flipper before she can be set free. This is done to protect her so she can continue to reproduce.
The maximum legal length of a lobster is 5 inches carapace-length; which are called “jumbos”. The maximum size limit is regulated to protect the breeding stock. A small lobster will weigh about 1 pound, and a large lobster will weigh about 3 to 4 pounds. The most common and well-liked Maine lobster size is between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 pounds.
Live lobsters are not red, as many people think. They are actually a dark blue-green color because they have a lot of different color pigments. When cooked, all of the pigments except for the red (astaxantbin) are hidden. Besides the typical colored lobsters, there are also rare yellow, red, blue and white specimens. About 1 in every 30 million lobsters is born with a blue shell. Lobsters are usually active at night and eat fish, crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins and sometimes-other lobsters!.
One way to tell if a lobster is male or female is to look at the first set of swimmerets on the bottom of the animal. The swimmerets on the male are larger and bony; they are smaller and softer in the female.
It’s not only tasty, but also good for you if you don’t put too much butter on it. Many people find it hard to believe, but Maine Lobster has less cholesterol, calories, and saturated fats than lean beef, chicken without the skin, and pork. There is a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids in lobster. These acids have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and hardening of the arteries. On top of that, lobster has a lot of iron, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B, and amino acids. Read more about lobster health facts.
Live lobster can be boiled, steamed, grilled, or baked. The white meat of the Maine lobster is located in the tail, claws, and knuckles. Meat can also be found in parts of the body and legs. The red stuff in the tail is coral “roe,” which are the female eggs, and it’s considered a treat. The greenish part where the body and tail meet is called “tomalley,” and it’s actually the liver. It has a very special “peppery” taste that is used in many recipes.
Don’t worry about cooking live lobsters. We have a central nervous system, but lobsters have a ganglionic nervous system. This means that lobsters don’t feel “pain” the same way we do. The supposed “screaming” in the pot is actually the sound of steam escaping from the lobster’s shell.
Cooking a lobster longer than the recommended times usually makes the meat too tough. When lobster meat is cooked right, it’s creamy white, the shells are bright red, and the two front antennae are easy to pull out. A 1-2 pound whole lobster serves one person. A pound of meat can be removed from four to six lobsters weighing 1. 25 pounds (typical market size). Approximately two cups of lobster meat equals one pound.
For more Maine lobster cooking instructions be sure to visit our cooking and handling guide for best times
You can cook Maine lobster in a lot of different ways, but the best way to eat it is “in the rough,” which means whole in the shell. Celebrate, anytime of year, anywhere in the country, with the finest live Maine Lobster from LobsterAnywhere. com.
Maine lobster comes in a lot of different forms, such as live, whole, frozen, frozen claws, tails, meat, and other specialty or value-added items.
There is lobster linquine, lobster pate, lobster stew, lobster bisque, lobster salad, steamed lobster, baked lobster, grilled lobster, and stir-fried lobster. Fourtunatley, Maine lobster is not only delicious, it is also easy to prepare. anytime of year, celebrate with Maine lobster!.
What is a Maine Lobster?
To begin, you need to choose the right kind of lobster. The American Lobster, also called the Boston Lobster, the New England Lobster, the Atlantic Lobster, the Northern Lobster, the Nova Scotia Lobster, and of course the Maine Lobster, is the species you want to use. The long body of this large crustacean has five sets of legs, one set of which has big, strong claws. In fact, almost half of the lobster’s weight comes from its claws. Its shell can be mottled brown, green and black. In cold waters, like that of the northern Atlantic, lobsters grow at a slower rate. This is why Maine lobster meat is firmer and more succulent. The cool temperatures keep the salt water from permeating the meat.
Maine lobster: LARGE vs small? Which is better?!
FAQ
What is the body length of a lobster?
How old is a 3 inch lobster?
At what size is a lobster no longer legal?
What is the maximum length of a lobster?
How big should a lobster be?
Do catch lobsters within the legal size range (3 ¼ to 5 inches). Don’t harvest juvenile or oversized lobsters. Do comply with gear regulations and conservation measures. Don’t overlook regulatory changes and news affecting the lobster industry.
How big should a lobster shell be?
According to the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance, lobsters that are legally catchable must have a shell length between 3-1/4 inches and 5 inches. Any lobsters caught outside of this size range must be returned to the ocean to allow them to grow and reproduce.
How do I choose the right lobster size for two people?
When choosing the right lobster size for two people, consider individual appetites, preferences, overall meal plan, budget, and prior experience with lobster consumption. The ideal size can range from 1-2 pounds for medium to larger sizes, depending on the focus of the meal.
How do you measure a lobster in Maine?
Once caught, a lobster’s size is determined using the state of Maine’s double-sided gauge. The carapace or body of each lobster is measured using this gauge. The length is determined by measuring from the rear of the eye to the rear of the shell or carapace to ensure accuracy. The minimum legal length is 3 1/4 inches. The maximum is 5 inches.