Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut

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• Inland Silverside

  Also known as “tidewater” silverside. They are less common than and very difficult to distinguish from the Atlantic silverside without magnification.

• Rudd

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

• Slimy Sculpin

  Sculpins are sensitive to environmental degradation, requiring good-quality, coldwater streams to survive.

• Tessellated Darter

  Sometimes bury themselves in the sand with only eyes and tail tips exposed. Can be easily captured with small-mesh dip net or seine.

• Green Sunfish

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

• Gizzard Shad

  Gizzard shad were first observed in Connecticut during the late 1970s, apparently the result of a natural range expansion.

• Spotfin Killifish

  Due to their small size, spotfin killifish are difficult to identify and often mistaken for young mummichog.

• How to Observe and Appreciate Fishes

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

• Smelts

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

• Kokanee

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

• Sculpins

  Sculpins have a flattened head, large frog-like mouth and eyes, a scaleless body, and large fan-shaped pectoral fins.

• American Soles

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

• 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.

• 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.