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

Connecticut > State > On the Water > Fishing Locations

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.

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Connecticut Tide Charts and Tide Tables

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Mansfield Hollow Park

Off Old Willimantic Road Mansfield, CT Phone:

Boating and fishing are allowed here; boat ramp provided. Swimming is prohibited

Fishing is allowed at Mansfield Hollow Lake; there is a boat ramp. Parking is free.
See full description of Mansfield Lake Park.
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Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area

18 Ranger Road Haddam, CT Phone: 860-566-2304

Large state forest; good for fishing, hiking & walking, horseback riding, snowmobiling

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. See Cockaponset State Forest and Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area for full description of this park.
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Burr Pond State Park

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

Pond has beach for swimming, canoe & kayak rentals, trails around the shoreline

Boating and fishing are done on this pond. Visitors may rent canoes and kayaks.
See full description of Burr Pond State Park
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Squantz Pond State Park

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

This year-round park is open for fishing. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent.
See full description of Squanz State Park
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Kent Falls State Park

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

Cascading waterfall, covered bridge, hiking trails. Great for picnics, walking

Fishing is done in the streams leading to this series of waterfalls and in the Housatonic River, into which the falls drain. See full description of Kent Falls State Park
Sherwood Island State Park

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

Salt-water fishing is done from the shore at this state beach a short drive from New York. Beach is rocky; wear protective shoes. See full description of Sherwood Island State Park.
Kettletown State Park

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

Fishing and swimming are popular sports at this park, on Housatonic River and near to Lake Zoar. See full description of Kettletown State Park.
Rocky Neck State Park

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

Sandy beach; picnicking; walking trails; fishing; camping

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. See full description of Rocky Neck State Park.
Sleeping Giant State Park

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

Trout fishing is done in the Mill River at this park. Sleeping Giant State Park is a designated Trout Management Area.
See full description of Sleeping Giant State Park
Mashamoquet Brook State Park

147 Wolf Den Drive Pomfret Center, CT Phone: 860-928-6121

Good park for camping, swimming, boating, hiking; cool rock formations to explore

Fishing, swimming, and boating are done at this state park. Parking fee is $9 weekdays and $15 weekends.
See full description of Mashamoquet State Park.
Hop Brook Dam Park

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

Day park offers water sports on the lake, picnicking, fishing, and trails for walking

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.
See full description of Hop Brook Dam Park.
Lake McDonough Park

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

Water sports and a boat launch; Braille-marked walking trail

Fishing is done at this nice, day-use park. See full description of Lake McDonough Park.
American Legion & Peoples State Forests

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

All manner of water sports, including fishing, are done at these adjacent state forests.
See full description of American Legion and Peoples State forests
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

Howe Avenue Shelton, CT Phone: 203-735-4311

Sweet riverside park for water sports and picnicking. Easy walking trails along the river.

Visitors enjoy fishing at this park on the Housatonic River. A boat ramp is accessible in the summer season. See full description of Indian Well State Park
Stratton Brook State Park

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

Wheelchair-accessible park has trout fishing, hiking, sports fields, swimming

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. See Stratton Brook State Park for full description of this park.
Devil's Hopyard State Park

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

Popular hiking and camping area with scenic picnic spots and fresh-water fishing.

Freshwater fishing along Hopyard Road on Eightmile River. See full description of Devil's Hopyard State 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 full description of Gay City Park.
Housatonic Meadows State Park

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

Wooded campgrounds; fly fishing for trout and bass in the Housatonic River

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.
See full description of Housastonic Meadows State Park.
Black Rock State Park

Watertown Road (Route 6) Thomaston, CT Phone: 860-283-8088

Camping, trout fishing, water sports, picnicking

Black Rock is an all-around park for almost all outdoor activities. It is a designated trout-fishing location. See full description of Black Rock State Park.
Hammonasset Beach State Park

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

Saltwater fishing is done from this vast shoreline park on Long Island Sound. See full description of Hammonasset Beach State Park.
Pachaug State Forest (Chapman & Green Falls areas)

Route 49 Voluntown, CT Phone: 860-376-4075

Large state forest covers all basics, camping, hiking, water sports, horseback riding, snowmobiling

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. Forest map.
See full description of Pachaug State Forest.