Fishing In Connecticut
Guide to fishing in the Constitution State
Connecticut offers a diverse fishing experience with a variety of fish species to target across its ponds, lakes, and rivers. Anglers can enjoy both warm water fisheries and cold water fisheries throughout the state. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, plus the species found in each lake.
Warm water fisheries in Connecticut provide opportunities to target species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and various panfish. Largemouth bass, known for their aggressive strikes and powerful fights, are particularly popular among anglers. Smallmouth bass offer an exciting challenge with their acrobatic jumps and strong fights. Anglers can also target other warm water species like pickerel, sunfish, and perch. These fisheries can be found in lakes such as Candlewood Lake, Lake Zoar, and Lake Lillinonah, as well as in many smaller ponds and reservoirs.
Connecticut's cold water fisheries are known for their excellent trout populations. The state stocks rivers, lakes, and ponds with rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. Anglers can enjoy fly fishing or spin fishing for these prized game fish. Rivers like the Housatonic, Farmington, and Naugatuck are popular trout fishing destinations, while lakes such as Highland Lake and Mashapaug Pond offer ample opportunities for trout anglers.
Connecticut's rivers provide excellent fishing opportunities as well. The Connecticut River, the state's largest river, offers a wide range of fishing experiences. Anglers can target species like striped bass, catfish, walleye, and even Atlantic salmon in some sections. Smaller rivers and streams, such as the Farmington River and the Salmon River, are also popular destinations for trout fishing.
In addition to lakes and rivers, Connecticut is home to numerous ponds and reservoirs that provide opportunities for both warm water and cold water species. These bodies of water offer a peaceful fishing experience and are often stocked with various fish species, including trout, bass, panfish, and more.
When fishing in Connecticut, it's important to familiarize yourself with fishing regulations, including size and creel limits, as well as any special regulations specific to certain water bodies. Obtaining a valid fishing license is also necessary to enjoy the state's fishing opportunities.
Overall, Connecticut offers a wide variety of fishing experiences with its warm water fisheries, cold water fisheries, ponds, lakes, and rivers. Anglers of all skill levels can find something to enjoy, whether it's chasing bass in a serene lake or casting a line in a lively river for trout. The state's diverse fish populations and picturesque fishing locations make Connecticut a fantastic destination for fishing enthusiasts.
This state is dotted with lakes, ponds, streams and rivers offering all types of fishing venues. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, stripers, chain pickerel and northern pike in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams. Many of these species can be taken while ice fishing in winter.
Major Connecticut Lakes & Species
Lake & Fish Chart
This chart shows the major angling destinations, cross referencing these waters with the major species to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments.
For a detailed list of primary fish species in CT, plus state fish records, see the list below.
Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.
Alexander Lake is a 215-acre lake in northeast Connecticut, 3 miles southeast of Pomfret.
Amos Lake is a 110-acre lake, located in the southeast corner of the state at Preston.
Bantam Lake is a 950-acre lake, located in the northwest corner of the state at Mantam.
Bashan Lake is a 270-acre lake located in the south-central section of the state 4 miles northeast of East Haddam.
Beach Pond is a 390-acre lake on the Connecticut-Rhode Island border at Voluntown, CT
Black Pond is a 75-acre pond located in the northeast corner of the state, 5 miles east of Union.
Candlewood Lake is a 5,400-acre lake on the middle-western edge of the state, 2 miles west of New Milford.
Cedar Lake is a 75-acre lake located in the south-central section of the state Chester.
Colebrook River Lake is a 820-acre lake in the northwest corner of the state, 2 miles north of Riverton.
Crystal Lake is a 180-acre lake in the north-central 3 miles east of Ellington.
Gardner Lake is a 430-acre lake located in the southeast corner of the state 2 miles northeast of Salem.
Green Falls Pond aka Green Falls Reservoir is a 50-acre pond located in the southeast corner of the state 4 miles southeast of Voluntown.
Highland Lake is a 450-acre lake located in the northern part of the state, west of center at Winchester.
Lake Beseck aka Beseck Lake is a 120-acre lake located in the center of the state at Middlefield.
Lake Lillinonah is a 1,900-acre lake in the northwest corner of the state nearby Newtown.
Lake McDonough aka Barkhamsted Lake is a 390-acre lake in the northwest corner of the state at Hartland.
Lake Quassapaug is a 300-acre lake in the west-central section of the state, at Middlebury.
Lake Saltonstall is a 420-acre lake located along the lower border of the state at East Haven.
Lake Zoar is a 910-acre lake in the southwest corner of the state between Southbury and Sandy Hook.
Lower Bolton Lake is a 180-acre lake located in the northern-central part of the state at Bolton.
Mansfield Hollow Lake is a 440-acre lake located in the northern-central part of the state at Mansfield.
Mashapaug Lake is a 300-acre lake located in the northeast portion of the state at the MA/CT border, 2 miles north of Union.
Middle Bolton Lake is a 120-acre lake located in the northern-central part of the state at Bolton.
Moodus Reservoir is a 480-acre (Upper 360 + Lower 120) lake located in the central-southern part of the state, 2 miles east of Moodus.
Mudge Pond is a 210-acre pond located in the northwest corner of the state at Sharon, CT along the New York-Connecticut border.
Pachaug Pond is an 840-acre lake located in the southeast corner of the state at Griswold.
Pine Acres Lake is a 130-acre lake located in the central-northern part of the state at Hampton.
Pinewood Lake is a 150-acre lake in southwest Connecticut, at Trumbull.
Quaddick Reservoir is a 408-acre lake in northeast Connecticut, 3 miles east of Thompson.
Quinebaug Pond is a 80-acre pond located in the central-northern part of the state at Killingly.
Rogers Lake is a 260-acre lake located in the southeast corner of the state between Lyme and Old Lyme.
Saugatuck Reservoir is an 860-acre lake located on the southwestern corner of the state, 2 miles south of Redding.
Shenipsit Lake aka The Snip is a 520-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Rockville.
Squantz Pond is a 280-acre pond located on the western edge of the state, on the NY/CT border, 3 miles north of Fairfield.
Tyler Lake is a 180-acre lake in the northwest corner of the state 2 miles west of Goshen, CT along the New York-Connecticut border.
Waramaug Lake is a 650-acre lake located in the northwest corner of the state, 2 miles south of Warren.
Washinee Lake (West Twin Lake) is a 290-acre lake located in the far northwest corner of the state 3 miles west of North Cannan.
Washining Lake (East Twin Lake) is a 570-acre lake located in the far northwest corner of the state 3 miles west of North Cannan.
West Hill Pond is a 260-acre lake located in the northwest corner of the state, 2 miles south of Winchester.
West Thompson Lake is a 200-acre lake located in the far northeast corner of the state, 2 miles north of Putnam.
Winchester Lake is a 250-acre lake located in the far northeast corner of the state at Winchester.
Wononscopomuc Lake is a 350-acre lake located in the far northwest corner of the state at Lakeville.
Fish Species & State Records in Connecticut
Bass
Largemouth bass
World record: 22 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 12 lbs 14 oz
Smallmouth bass
World record: 11 lbs 15 oz
State Record: 7 lbs 12 oz
Catfish
Channel catfish
World record: 58 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 29 lbs 6 oz
White catfish
World record: 22 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 12 lbs 12 oz
Crappie
Black crappie/calico bass
World record: 6 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 4 lbs 0 oz
Walleye
Walleye
World record: 25 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 15 lbs 4 oz
Trout
Rainbow trout
World record: 42 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 14 lbs 10 oz
Brook trout
World record: 14 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 9 lbs 3 oz
Brown trout
World record: 40 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 19 lbs 0 oz
Lake trout
World record: 72 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 29 lbs 13 oz
Panfish
Bluegill
World record: 4 lbs 12 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 4 oz
Pumpkinseed sunfish
World record: 2 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 1 lbs 3 oz
Rock bass
World record: 3.0 lbs
State Record: 1 lbs 3 oz
Yellow perch
World record: 4 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 13 oz
Striped bass
Striper
Saltwater world record: 81 lbs 15 oz*
State Record: 81 lbs 15 oz*
Other species
Bowfin
World record: 21 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 9 lbs 0 oz
Chain pickerel
World record: 9 lbs 6 oz
State Record: 8 lbs 9 oz
Northern pike
World record: 55 lbs 1 oz
State Record: 29 lbs 0 oz
Click the images and links above for species details.
7lbs 7 oz brown trout.
There is a section dedicated to fishing activities for kids. It is devoted to information about kids fishing with stories, fish photos and tips for where and how to take a kid fishing locally.
State of CT Fishing Information
For fishing regulations and information on fishing in Connecticut, visit the website of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
Apply for a Connecticut Fishing License here.
Fish for big bass
Excellent largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing opportunities are available here.
Fishing in all states
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