FishKillFlea Connecticut packs incredible fishing diversity into the Constitution State — 253 miles of Long Island Sound coastline, world-class Housatonic and Farmington trout rivers, and the Connecticut River shad run. Whether you hold a fishing license CT or CT out of state fishing license, these waters deliver outstanding action.
Saltwater — Long Island Sound
| Species | Season | Daily Limit | Hot Spots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped bass | May–Nov | 1 (28″ slot) | Thames River, Race, Housatonic mouth |
| Bluefish | Jun–Oct | 3 | Sound-wide — surface blitzes |
| Summer flounder (fluke) | May–Sep | 4 (19″) | Niantic, Mystic, Bridgeport |
| Tautog (blackfish) | Apr–May, Sep–Dec | 2-4 | Rocky reefs — excellent fall |
| Scup (porgy) | May–Oct | 30 | Harbors, jetties |
Rivers — Premier Trout
| River | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housatonic River | Western CT (Cornwall-Kent) | Trophy brown trout | Famous TMA — 15″+ average; catch-and-release fly fishing |
| Farmington River | Central CT | Wild brown trout | Premier CT trout; catch-and-release sections |
| Connecticut River | Central CT (East Haddam) | American shad, bass, pike | Largest New England river — shad run spring |
| Salmon River | Colchester area | Atlantic salmon, steelhead | Restoration program — unique Northeast fishery |
Note: Trout Management Areas require a $5 Trout/Salmon Stamp. See license types for details.
Lakes
- Candlewood Lake: Largest CT lake (5,420 acres) — largemouth, smallmouth, walleye
- Lake Lillinonah: Upper Housatonic — largemouth bass, crappie
- Bantam Lake: Litchfield Hills — northern pike, bass, panfish (great ice fishing!)
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Shad run, trout stocking, striper migration | CT River, Farmington, Sound | Follow shad upstream; stocked trout hit early |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Striper/bluefish (salt), bass, fluke | Sound, Candlewood, Housatonic | Fluke drifting; dawn/dusk trout |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Tautog, brown spawners, late bass | Sound reefs, Housatonic TMA | Tautog on green crab; brown spawners in TMA |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice fishing (panfish, pike), holdover trout | Bantam, Candlewood | Check ice thickness; min 4″ for walking |
Fishing in Neighboring States
Planning a regional trip? New York for Hudson bass, Massachusetts for Cape Cod striper, or Rhode Island for Block Island fishing. Check CT reciprocity details for border-water rules.
NR 3-day marine license is just $8! See full costs or buy your license now.