Fishing

Page 15 of 17

  • Spottail Shiner

    Typically the most abundant fish species in larger rivers, the spottail shiner is a very important forage fish.

  • Striped Killifish

    This is the largest killifish species in Connecticut and the least tolerant of fresh water.

  • Sturgeons

    Learn about these huge, prehistoric fishes that are threatened and endangered in Connecticut.

  • Suckers

    Three species of suckers have been reported in Connecticut. Two are native, with the other uncertain in origin.

  • Smelts

    Relatively small, silvery fishes with a very slender, cylindrical shape.

  • Channel Catfish

    The channel catfish is the state’s largest catfish species.

  • Brown Trout

    Brown trout can grow to large sizes and are generally harder to catch than brook or rainbow trout.

  • Brook Trout

    Brook trout prefer small, cold streams with gravel or cobble bottoms and adequate cover.

  • Catfishes and Bullheads

    Catfish and bullheads have eight barbels around the mouth: two off the snout, two off the corners of the mouth, and four under the chin. These long barbels give the impression of whiskers, hence the name “catfishes.”

  • 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.

  • Burbot

    The burbot is the only completely freshwater member of the cod family. Little is known of its life history in Connecticut.

  • 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.

  • Central Mudminnow

    Although central mudminnows look superficially like minnows or killifish, they are actually more closely related to pickerel and pike.

  • Bridle Shiner

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

  • Table of Contents

    This pictorial guide contains interesting and useful information about all of Connecticut's fascinating freshwater fishes.