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Connecticut has lots of fishing places to cast a line and enjoy

Opening Day of trout fishing season in Connecticut is late April. Free fishing dates are May 7 (no license needed), June 19 and August 6 (free license days - you may apply online three weeks in advance of each date). State fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing in the Inland District. Licenses are issued for the calendar year and expire on December 31. Non-resident fishing licenses are $63 for a year and $22 for a three-day inland waters license. Licenses may be purchased at any Connecticut town hall, designated tackle shop, or online from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (860-424-3105).

Connecticut has more than 180 public lakes and ponds and thousands of miles of rivers and streams filled with game fish and pan fish including bass, trout, large walleye, pike or bluegills. The Farmington and Housatonic Rivers are two prized fishing waters.

Trout parks are Connecticut ponds or streams that will be stocked weekly with trout from the state’s fish hatcheries. Eleven water bodies in Connecticut have been designated as Trout Parks. Trout parks are located in easily accessible areas. Boat ramps are plentiful throughout the state.

Fishing Locations in Connecticut
Click here to view Connecticut Tide Charts
Mill River - Sleeping Giant State Park - Hamden, CT
Sleeping Giant State Park

200 Mount Carmel Avenue Hamden, CT, 06518 Phone: 203-287-5658

Trout fishing is done in the Mill River at this park, and at nearby Clark's Pond. Sleeping Giant State Park is a designated Trout Management Area. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Riverbank - American Legion & Peoples State Forest - Barkhamsted, CT - Photo Credit John Carter
American Legion & Peoples State Forests

Between Center Hill Road (CT Route 181) and East River Road Barkhamsted, CT, 06063 Phone: 860-379-2469

All manner of water sports, including fishing, are done at these adjacent state forests. - Trail Map (PDF) - Campground Map (PDF)
Stratton Brook State Park - Simsbury, CT
Stratton Brook State Park

149 Farms Village Road - CT Route 309 Simsbury, CT, 06070 Phone: 860-242-1158

Stratton Brook is a designated trout fishing area. Anglers of all skill levels can fish here, and the water is stocked weekly with trout. Daily creel limit (with license) is two fish per day. - Park Map (PDF)
Black Rock State Park

2065 Thomaston Road Watertown, CT, 06795 Phone: 860-283-8088

Black Rock is an all-around park for almost all outdoor activities. It is a designated trout-fishing location. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Cockaponset State Forest - Haddam/Chester, CT - Photo Credit CT DEEP
Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area

Cedar Lake Road Chester, CT, 06412 Phone: 860-424-3200

Fishing at Stevenson Pond, Tower Hill Lake, Deep River, Horse Pond, Turkey Hill and Pattaconk Reservoirs, and other bodies of water at this large state forest. - List of Park Maps
Lake Saltonstall Recreation Area

entrances off Hosley Avenue Branford, CT Phone: 203-401-2654

Lake Saltonstall has nine miles of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching, and it also is a great freshwater fishing locations. The lake is stocked. A wheelchair-accessible floating pier is located on site. A fish shack is located just off Hosley Avenue. Boats are available for rent. The shack is staffed during fishing season.
Permitted Uses: This site requires a Regional Water Authority permit. No motored vehicles allowed. Fishing is allowed by state permit. Swimming are dogs are prohibited.
Directions: Lake Saltonstall can be reached via I-95 Exit 52 to Route 1. There are two gated entrances off Hosley Avenue.
Indian Well State Park - Shelton, CT - Photo Credit CTVisit
Indian Well State Park

1 Indian Well Road Shelton, CT, 06484 Phone: 203-735-4311

Visitors enjoy fishing at this park on the Housatonic River. A boat ramp is accessible in the summer season. - Park Map (PDF)
River Falls at Mashamoquet Brook State Park - Pomfret Center, CT - Photo Credit Stuart Constantine
Mashamoquet Brook State Park

276 Mashamoquet Road Pomfret Center, CT, 06259 Phone: 860-928-6121

Fishing, swimming, and boating are done at this state park. - Trail Map (PDF)
Burr Pond State Park - Torrington, CT - Photo Credit CT DEEP
Burr Pond State Park

384 Burr Mountain Road Torrington, CT, 06790 Phone: 860-482-1817

Boating and fishing are done on this pond. Visitors may rent canoes and kayaks. - Trail Map (PDF)
Hamonnasset Beach State Park - Madison, CT
Hammonasset Beach State Park

1288 Boston Post Road Madison, CT, 06443 Phone: 203-245-2785

Saltwater fishing is done from this vast shoreline park on Long Island Sound.
Squantz Pond State Park - New Fairfield, CT - Photo Credit Nemo Jones
Squantz Pond State Park

178 Short Woods Road New Fairfield, CT, 06810 Phone: 203-312-5023

This year-round park is open for fishing. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Lake McDonough Recreation Area - Barkhamsted, CT - Photo Credit CTVisit
Lake McDonough Recreation Area

Route 219 Barkhamsted, CT, 06063 Phone: 860-379-3036

Fishing is done at this nice, day-use park.
Gay City State Park

Route 85 Hebron, CT Phone: 860-295-9523

Fishing is done at this rural park, also filled with many multi-use paths. See a full description on our State & Local Park page.
River Alcove - Devil's Hopyard State Park - East Haddam, CT - Photo Credit John Hutcheson
Devil's Hopyard State Park

366 Hopyard Road East Haddam, CT, 06423 Phone: 860-873-8566

Freshwater fishing along Hopyard Road on Eightmile River. - Park Map (PDF)
Beach View - Rocky Neck State Park - Easy Lyme, CT
Rocky Neck State Park

244 West Main Street (Route 156) East Lyme, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-739-5471

Visitors enjoy salt water fishing and crabbing at this beautiful park bounded by a tidal river and a salt marsh. Other activities include swimming from a sandy beach, interesting walks, and observing sea birds. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area - Middlebury, CT
Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area

4 Straits Turnpike Middlebury, CT, 06762 Phone: 203-729-8840

This easy-to-reach day-use park is centered upon Hop Brook Lake, which is stocked with brown, brook, and rainbow trout. The lake also is home to bass and panfish.
Water View - Sherwood Island State Park - Westport, CT
Sherwood Island State Park

Interstate 95 at Exit 18 Westport, CT, 06880 Phone: 203-226-6983

Salt-water fishing is done from the shore at this state beach a short drive from New York. Beach is rocky; wear protective shoes. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Housatonic Meadows State Park - Sharon, CT - Photo Credit Kaitlyn Tran
Housatonic Meadows State Park

US Route 7 Sharon, CT, 06069 Phone: 860-927-3238

The Housatonic River is famous for its fly fishing. Housatonic Meadows offers many outdoor activities, with an emphasis on fly fishing for trout and bass. A two-mile stretch of river is reserved for fly fishing. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Beach - Kettletown State Park - Southbury, CT
Kettletown State Park

1400 George's Hill Road (Off I-84 at Exit 15) Southbury, CT, 06488 Phone: 860-424-3200

Fishing and swimming are popular sports at this park, on Housatonic River and near to Lake Zoar. - Trail Map (PDF)
Fishing Hole - Pachaug State Forest (Chapman & Green Falls areas) - Voluntown, CT
Pachaug State Forest (Chapman & Green Falls areas)

Entrance off Route 49 Voluntown, CT, 06384 Phone: 860-376-4075

Beachdale Pond, within this large state forest near the Rhode Island border, is stocked with trout and has natural bass, pickerel and bullhead. There is a fishing platform with wheelchair accessibility off of Route 49. - Chapman Area Map (PDF) - Green Falls Area Map (PDF)
Kent Falls State Park - Kent, CT - Photo Credit CT DEEP
Kent Falls State Park

462 Kent Cornwall Road (Route 7) Kent, CT, 06757 Phone: 860-927-3238

Fishing is done in the streams leading to this series of waterfalls and in the Housatonic River, into which the falls drain. - Hiking Map (PDF)
Mansfield Hollow State Park - Mansfield, CT - Photo Credit CT DEEP
Mansfield Hollow Park

31 Old Willimantic Road Mansfield, CT, 06235 Phone:

Fishing is allowed at Mansfield Hollow Lake; there is a boat ramp. Parking is free. - Park Map (PDF)