Opening Day of trout fishing season in Connecticut is late April. 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 $40. Non-resident three-day fishing licenses are $16. Licenses may be purchased at any Connecticut town hall, designated tackle shop, or online from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (860-424-3700).
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.
462 Kent Cornwall Road (Route 7) Kent, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Cascading waterfall, covered bridge, hiking trails. Great for picnics, walking
18 Ranger Road Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304
Large state forest; good for fishing, hiking & walking, horseback riding, snowmobiling
Off Old Willimantic Road Mansfield, CT Phone:
Boating and fishing are allowed here; boat ramp provided. Swimming is prohibited
178 Shortwoods Road New Fairfield, CT, 06810 Phone: 203-312-5023
Pond is centerpiece of wooded park with beach, swimming, boating, hiking trails, ice skating, cross country skiing
384 Burr Mountain Road Torrington, CT Phone: 860-482-1817
Pond has beach for swimming, canoe & kayak rentals, trails around the shoreline
200 Mount Carmel Avenue Hamden, CT, 06518 Phone: 203-287-5658
Hiking and trout fishing are best activities at this ridge top park overlooking New Haven
Off I-95 at Exit 18 Westport, CT Phone: 203-226-6983
Swimming and fishing beach a short drive from New York; rocky beach has sharp stones; footwear needed
Between Center Hill Road (Route 181) and East River Road [see map] Barkhamsted, CT Phone: 860-379-0922
Large forests offer all outdoor recreation: camping, water sports, extensive hiking trails
244 West Main Street (Route 156) East Lyme, CT Phone: 860-739-5471
Sandy beach; picnicking; walking trails; fishing; camping
Howe Avenue Shelton, CT Phone: 203-735-4311
Sweet riverside park for water sports and picnicking. Easy walking trails along the river.
Route 85 Hebron, CT Phone: 860-295-9523
Route 219 Barkhamsted, CT, 06063 Phone: 860-379-3036
Water sports and a boat launch; Braille-marked walking trail
149 Farms Village Road (Route 309) Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-242-1158
Wheelchair-accessible park has trout fishing, hiking, sports fields, swimming
1400 George's Hill Road (Off I-84 at Exit 15) Southbury, CT Phone: 860-424-3200
Lots of water sports are done at this park on the Housatonic River; also near Lake Zoar
147 Wolf Den Drive Pomfret Center, CT Phone: 860-928-6121
Good park for camping, swimming, boating, hiking; cool rock formations to explore
Watertown Road (Route 6) Thomaston, CT Phone: 860-283-8088
Camping, trout fishing, water sports, picnicking
1288 Boston Post Road Madison, CT Phone: 203-245-2785
Very large park on Long Island Sound offers swimming, salt water fishing, boardwalk, lots of camping sites
4 Straits Tpk. Middlebury, CT, 06762 Phone: 203-729-8840
Day park offers water sports on the lake, picnicking, fishing, and trails for walking
366 Hopyard Road East Haddam, CT Phone: 860-873-8566
Popular hiking and camping area with scenic picnic spots and fresh-water fishing.
Route 49 Voluntown, CT Phone: 860-376-4075
Large state forest covers all basics, camping, hiking, water sports, horseback riding, snowmobiling
entrances off Hosley Avenue Branford, CT Phone: 203-401-2654
Route 7 Sharon, CT Phone: 860-927-3238
Wooded campgrounds; fly fishing for trout and bass in the Housatonic River