Fishing

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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.

• Hickory Shad

  The summer/fall recreational fishery for hickory shad is gaining in popularity.

• Atlantic Menhaden

  Also known as “mossbunker” or simply “bunker.” Menhaden are important forage fish for large predatory fishes such as striped bass and bluefish.

• Sea Lamprey

  The state's only parasitic fish to enter freshwater, the sea lamprey gets a bad reputation. Learn more about this fascinating fish.

• Longnose Dace

  The longnose dace has a hydrodynamic body similar to a miniature sturgeon that helps it hold near the bottom in fast water.

• 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.

• Bowfin

  Often confused with the snakehead, the bowfin is an introduced fish that has grown rapidly in abundance since 2003.

• Common Shiner

  With no obvious and distinctive characteristics, the common shiner is one of the most difficult fish to identify.

• Trout Research and Management

  Learn more about trout management in Connecticut and the research that informs our decision making.

• CARE Videos

  Learn how to fish with CARE course videos!

• How to Catch Saltwater Fish

  Learn how to catch some of Connecticut's most popular saltwater fish!

• Saltwater Fishing

  With over 100 species of fish found in Long Island Sound, anglers can enjoy some of the very best striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder, scup, hickory shad, black sea bass and tautog fishing along the entire coast. The State of Connecticut offers anglers many fishing opportunities with excellent boat launches along the coast and great shore fishing locations at coastal state and city parks, and convenient party and charter boat fishing. Fishing is Family Fun!