Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut

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• American Soles

  A small family limited to marine waters of the Western Hemisphere.

• Green Sunfish

  Introductions of green sunfish have been implicated with adverse impacts on other fish species.

• Brown Bullhead

  The brown bullhead is Connecticut’s most widely distributed and only native catfish species. They are good to eat, but are typically underutilized by anglers.

• Chain Pickerel

  The chain pickerel is Connecticut’s largest native freshwater predatory fish. Before the introduction of bass, it was the top predator in the state’s lakes and ponds.

• Bluegill

  Bluegills often inhabit shallow areas and are very easy to catch on a variety of small lures or baits (especially worms).

• Rock Bass

  Rock bass have relatively large mouths, so are commonly caught by anglers seeking larger gamefish.

• Mullets

  Mullets are torpedo-shaped fishes with horizontal mouths.

• Yellow Perch

  Yellow perch are one of the state’s most popular panfishes. They actively feed during the winter, making them a staple for ice anglers.

• Creek Chub

  Closely related to fallfish, creek chubs build long ridges of gravel for nests.

• Bluntnose Minnow

  It is unclear how or when bluntnose minnows arrived in Connecticut.

• Rainwater Killifish

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

• American Shad

  In 2003, the American shad was designated Connecticut’s “State Fish.”

• 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.

• Fish Descriptions and Distribution Maps Explained

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

• Goldfish

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