Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut

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• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Pumpkinseed

  One of our most colorful freshwater fishes.

• Sturgeons

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

• White Crappie

  White crappie are so similar in appearance to black crappie that most Connecticut anglers probably do not recognize them as a separate species.

• Gizzard Shad

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