Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Connecticut (Full Guide)

Connecticut offers some of the best fishing in the Northeast. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Connecticut are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in CT.

Month	Connecticut Fishing Location
January	The Housatonic River in Cornwall provides excellent winter fly fishing for brown trout.
February	The Farmington River’s year-round catch and release area in Unionville is a great spot for winter fishing for rainbow trout.
March	The Salmon River in East Hampton is stocked with trout and provides good early spring fishing opportunities.
April	The Connecticut River in Haddam is a prime location for striped bass and shad fishing as they migrate upstream.
May	Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater offers good fishing for largemouth bass and northern pike as they move into shallower water.
June	Candlewood Lake in Danbury is known for its trophy-size smallmouth and largemouth bass.
July	Lake Housatonic in Derby is a great spot for summer fishing for smallmouth bass, pike, and walleye.
August	The Thames River in Norwich provides good fishing for striped bass and bluefish as they move upriver.
September	The Connecticut River in Middletown is a top location for catching trophy-sized striped bass during their fall migration.
October	The Farmington River in New Hartford provides excellent fall fishing for brown trout.
November	The Naugatuck River in Waterbury is a good spot for catching brown trout and salmon during their fall spawning run.
December	The Housatonic River in Kent offers good winter fishing for trout and smallmouth bass.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Connecticut. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Connecticut

Housatonic River (Cornwall Bridge): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout, bass, and shad.

Farmington River (New Hartford): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Mianus River (Stamford): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Hammonasset River (Madison): Best months to fish are May to July and September to November, and targeted fish are trout and striped bass.

Saugatuck River (Westport): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Norwalk River (Norwalk): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Naugatuck River (Waterbury): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Quinebaug River (Plainfield): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Pequabuck River (Bristol): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Salmon River (East Hampton): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Shepaug River (Roxbury): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Eightmile River (Lyme): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Saugatuck Reservoir (Redding): Best months to fish are May to July and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Pootatuck River (Newtown): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Natchaug River (Windham): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Bantam River (Litchfield): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Blackberry River (North Canaan): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Furnace Brook (Kent): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

West Branch Farmington River (Barkhamsted): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Willimantic River (Windham): Best months to fish are April to June and September to November, and targeted fish are trout.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Connecticut

These CT-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Starship Charters	Old Saybrook, CT
Nightjack Sportfishing	Branford, CT
Captain Mike Smith Fishing Adventures	East Lyme, CT
One More Drift Charters	Clinton, CT
Striper Snax Fishing Charters	Waterford, CT
FlyLight Charters	New London, CT
Rising Tide Fishing	Milford, CT
Bell 8 Charters	Old Lyme, CT
Road Work Ahead Fishing Charters	Stamford, CT

Best Sections of Saltwater to Fish in Connecticut

Long Island Sound (Stonington to Greenwich): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and black sea bass.

Connecticut River (Old Saybrook to Essex): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and fluke.

Thimble Islands (Branford): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Milford Harbor (Milford): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and blackfish.

Mystic River (Mystic): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Black Hall River (Old Lyme): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Niantic River (Niantic): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Housatonic River (Stratford to Milford): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Norwalk Islands (Norwalk): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Branford Reef (Branford): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Westbrook Town Beach (Westbrook): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Clinton Harbor (Clinton): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Saybrook Breakwater (Old Saybrook): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Watch Hill Reef (Stonington): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Sandy Point (West Haven): Best months to fish are May to October, and targeted fish are striped bass, bluefish, and fluke.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Striped Bass

The best time to go fishing is during the spring and fall months of May to June and September to November.

The best time to fish for stripers is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Some of the best locations for fishing striped bass in Connecticut include the Housatonic River, Connecticut River, and Long Island Sound.

Cod

If you’re looking to fish for cod in Connecticut, the best time to go is during the winter months of December to March.

The best time to fish for cod is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Connecticut’s best locations for fishing cod include the Long Island Sound, Mystic River, and Thames River.

Haddock

If you’re looking to catch haddock in Connecticut, the best time to go is from June to August.

The best time to fish for haddock is early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations for catching haddock in Connecticut include the deep waters off New Haven, Bridgeport, and New London coast.

Bluefish

The best time to go is during the summer months of June through August. Bluefish are usually caught in the morning and late afternoon.

Connecticut’s best locations for fishing bluefish include the Mystic River, Thames River, and Long Island Sound. These locations are known for their abundance of bluefish and offer great opportunities for catching these fast and powerful fish during summer.

Bluefin Tuna

If you want to fish for tuna in Connecticut, the best time is July to October. Tuna are usually caught early or late afternoon while actively feeding. The best locations for fishing tuna in Connecticut include the canyons south of Long Island, the edge of the continental shelf, and the waters around Block Island.

Flounder

Flounder fishing in Connecticut is best during April through September when the water temperature is warmer. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to catch flounder as they are more active.

Some of the best locations to fish for flounder in Connecticut are in the shallow waters near the mouths of rivers and bays. Other great places to try your luck include sandy bottoms, estuaries, and tidal creeks.

American Shad

American shad are one of the most sought-after fish species in Connecticut. They are typically found in the state’s rivers and are known for their incredible fighting spirit. The best time to fish for American shad in Connecticut is during the spring, from April to June, when they make their annual migration upstream to spawn.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for shad, and the best locations to fish for them are the Connecticut River, Housatonic River, and Farmington River.

Brook Trout

The best time to go is during the cooler months of spring and fall. April to May and September to November are the prime months for catching brook trout. The best time to fish is in the early morning or late afternoon.

Connecticut’s best locations for fly fishing brook trout include the Housatonic River, Tankerhoosen River, West Branch Farmington River, and Salmon River.

Brown Trout

If you’re looking to fly fish for brown trout in Connecticut, the colder months from October to May are the best time to catch them. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish. The Farmington and Housatonic Rivers are two of the most popular rivers for catching brown trout.

Another great spot is the Naugatuck River, stocked with brown trout. Additionally, the Mill River is known for its large brown trout and is a great spot for fishing in the early morning or late afternoon during October to November.

Rainbow Trout

If you’re looking to fly fish for rainbow trout in Connecticut, the best time to go is during the cooler months of spring and fall. April to May and September to November are the prime months for catching rainbow trout.

The best time to fish is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Connecticut’s best locations for fly fishing rainbow trout include the Housatonic, Farmington, and Willimantic rivers.

American Eels

Eels are most abundant during the spring and summer, and fishing is best during the evening and nighttime hours. Some of Connecticut’s best locations to fish for eels include rivers and streams that lead to the ocean, as well as tidal pools and estuaries.

Largemouth Bass

The best time to fish for bass is in the spring and early summer months, especially May and June. Try fishing during the early morning or late afternoon, when the water is cooler and the bass are more active. Some of the best places to fish for bass in Connecticut are Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah, and Bantam Lake.

Carp

The best time to fish for carp is usually during the warmer months, from May to September. They tend to be more active during the day, especially early morning or late evening.

Some of Connecticut’s best carp fishing locations include Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah, and the Connecticut River.

Yellow Perch

The best time to fish for them is usually in the early morning or late afternoon. You can catch them year-round, but they tend to be most active in the spring and fall.

Catfish

The best time to catch catfish is usually from late spring through early fall, with June and July being the peak months. You can catch catfish anytime, but they are most active at night. Some good spots to fish for catfish in Connecticut are the Housatonic River, Farmington River, and Moodus Reservoir.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pennsylvania. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ohio. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in New York. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Rhode Island. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Massachusetts. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Maine. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in New Hampshire.

Best Fishing in Connecticut on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Housatonic River in Cornwall – This river provides excellent winter fly fishing for brown trout.
Farmington River in Unionville – The year-round catch and release area is a great spot for winter fishing for rainbow trout.
Bantam Lake in Morris – You might catch pike and pickerel in the deeper waters during the winter months.
Pachaug Pond in Griswold – This is a popular spot for ice fishing for panfish, like crappie and bluegill.

Spring

Salmon River in East Hampton – This river is stocked with trout and provides good early spring fishing opportunities.
Connecticut River in Haddam – You might catch striped bass and shad as they migrate upstream in the spring.
Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater – This lake is a great spot for catching largemouth bass and northern pike as they move into shallower water.
Lake Zoar in Monroe – This is a popular spot for catching black crappie and smallmouth bass during the spring months.

Summer

Candlewood Lake in Danbury – This is a great place to catch trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Lake Housatonic in Derby – You might catch smallmouth bass, pike, and walleye in this lake during the summer.
Bantam Lake in Morris – This is a popular spot for fishing for bass, including largemouth and smallmouth.
Thames River in Norwich – This river is known for its striped bass and bluefish during the summer months.

Fall

Farmington River in New Hartford – You might catch brown trout, which are known to be active in the fall.
Connecticut River in Middletown – This is a top spot for catching striped bass during their fall migration.
Naugatuck River in Waterbury – You could catch brown trout and salmon during their fall spawning run.
Housatonic River in Kent – This river is great for catching trout and smallmouth bass in the fall.