Freshwater

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• Kokanee

  Kokanee prefer relatively clear lakes with cold, well-oxygenated water.

• Mimic Shiner

  Looking a lot like other shiners gave the mimic shiner its name.

• Pike and Pickerel

  Two native and one introduced pike species exist in Connecticut. All members of the family are predacious, primarily feeding on fish.

• How to Observe and Appreciate Fishes

  Learn about all the ways you can watch Connecticut's many freshwater fishes!

• Rudd

  Not yet found in Connecticut, the Rudd has established populations in neighboring states.

• American Eel

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

• Families of Connecticut Freshwater Fishes

  Learn the defining characteristics of Connecticut's freshwater fish families!

• Rainbow Smelt

  Smelt are important forage fish for large pelagic predators such as striped bass in estuaries and brown trout in lakes.

• Golden Shiner

  Commonly sold as bait, the golden shiner is our most common lake and pond minnow species.

• American Shad

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

• Banded Killifish

  Prefer shallow, still areas of lakes and ponds and slow-flow areas of larger rivers and streams.

• Longnose Sucker

  Recent attempts to find longnose suckers in Connecticut have failed.

• 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.

• Silversides

  Two estuarine/marine species of silversides exist in Connecticut. Both are schooling fish that occasionally enter freshwater areas of coastal rivers and streams.

• Fathead Minnow

  A popular baitfish, fathead minnows can be found at low abundance almost anywhere in Connecticut.