Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut

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• Striped Mullet

  Striped mullet support important commercial fisheries in Southern states. Smaller fish are sold as bait.

• Sticklebacks

  Four native stickleback species are found predominantly in marine and sometimes fresh waters of Connecticut. The males build and guard nests made out of aquatic vegetation, and they become darker and/or more brightly colored during the spawning season.

• Atlantic Tomcod

  Sometimes known as “frostfish.” For unclear reasons, Atlantic tomcod have recently experienced a precipitous decline in Connecticut and throughout much of their range.

• American Brook Lamprey

  Learn more about this endangered, maybe native, and definitely not parasitic fish!

• American Eel

  The American eel is commonly used for bait and food, but is declining throughout much of its range.

• Sunfishes and Freshwater Basses

  There are eleven sunfish species in Connecticut, only three of which are native.

• Fish Descriptions and Distribution Maps Explained

  Learn how to interpret the fish descriptions and distribution maps used to describe the freshwater fishes of Connecticut!

• Bridle Shiner

  This easily overlooked minnow, the bridle shiner, is apparently declining throughout much of its range.

• Rainwater Killifish

  Where numerous, rainwater killifish are thought to be an effective control of mosquito larvae.

• Temperate Basses

  All North American members of the family are important gamefish, and some support significant commercial fisheries.

• Mummichog

  They are sold as bait at coastal bait shops (where they are often called “killies” or “mummies”) and are popular due to their toughness and ability to survive in fresh water.

• Goldfish

  Learn about goldfish in Connecticut, an introduced species that is native to Asia and common in urban ponds.

• Tench

  An esteemed food and sport fish in Europe, it's unclear how the tench will affect Connecticut's freshwater ecosystems.

• Cutlip Minnow

  Cutlip minnows are known to sometimes knock out and eat the eyes of other fishes.

• Minnows and Carps

  Minnows are an extremely diverse family with abundant representatives over most of the world. Learn about all the minnows who call Connecticut home!