FISHING IN CONNECTICUT
Connecticut fishing and boating experiences can range from deep sea fishing charters out of Norwalk for tuna to freshwater trips for largemouth bass on Mansfield Hollow Lake.
FIND FISHING SPOTS NEAR YOU
TOP FISHING SPOTS IN CONNECTICUT
LAKE MCDONOUGH
SHERWOOD ISLAND STATE PARK
MANSFIELD HOLLOW STATE PARK
GET A CONNECTICUT FISHING LICENSE
COMMON CATCHES IN CONNECTICUT
BLUEFISH
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
You can sniff out bluefish by their smell, which is something like fresh cucumbers.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7-foot, light- to medium-action spinning |
| Reel | Matching spinning reel with quality drag |
| Line | 15-20-pound braid; and 20-pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Popper's; Bluefish aren't picky about lure type, just needs to create a surface disturbance. Smaller does well. |
NORTHERN PIKE
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
Northern pike can be distinguished by their needle teeth, vacant eyes, thick slime, and serpentine shape.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6.5 foot medium or medium-heavy action graphite spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 20-30-pound, 12-inch black wire leaders (They will bite through monofilament line) |
| Lure | In-line spinner, Spoon, Minnow-imitating plug, Spinnerbait, Jig and worm, Surface plug |
WALLEYE
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
Walleye have needle-like teeth, bite well when the waters are cold, and make excellent table fare.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6.5 and 7 feet long medium-action graphite rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 8 or 10 pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Jigs, Plastic Baits, Crankbaits, Bottom Bouncers |
CHANNEL CATFISH
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The channel catfish is very highly regarded for its food and sports value.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6-7-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 14-pound or stronger abrasion-resistant monofilament line |
| Lure | Terminal tackle (circle or bait hooks, treble hooks, egg sinkers), live worms or minnows, cut-bait |
BLACK SEA BASS
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
Black sea bass are hermaphrodites; most begin their lives as females and change to males.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6’6″ to 7′ foot long fast to extra-fast action spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 20-pound fused fishing line, 30 pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Beak Bait Hook, Hammered Diamon Jig, Bank Sinker, Artificial Scented Shrimp Soft Bait |
STRIPED BASS
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
To most freshwater anglers, the striped bass is a very important game fish is relatively new.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7 or 7.5-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod |
| Reel | 4000 Spinning reel |
| Line | 15-20 pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Topwater, Shallow Running Crankbaits,Medium Running Crankbaits, Deep Running Crankbaits, Bottom Bouncers |
STREAMS & RIVERS
River & stream fishing means knowing where the water is moving, and how fish behave in it.
LAKES & PONDS
Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.
