Freshwater Fishing

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Freshwater Fishing

Girl with bluegill Connecticut is fortunate to have over 180 public lakes and ponds and thousands of miles of rivers and streams teeming with a variety of gamefish and panfish. Anglers from all over the country come to Connecticut to fish for prized trout in the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers. Whether you’re looking for trophy size bass, common carp or trout in one of our special management areas, large walleye or pike through the ice or just want to relax on a warm summer’s day fishing for bluegills, Connecticut anglers are provided with great opportunities to catch a wide variety of fish throughout the year.

Getting a license is easy and convenient right from the comfort of your own computer via our Online Sportsmen Licensing system.

News and Information

Facebook page - Get near real-time stocking updates
Stocking Reports - Read up on recent stocking events!
CT Fishin' Tips - Monthly newsletter to keep you updated.
Fishing Guide - provides you with a key summary of rules, regulations and places to fish.
Ice Fishing - A great and safe way to beat winter cabin fever and spend quality time with family and friends outdoors.
Trout Stocking Maps - Over 200 maps that show river and stream locations where trout are stocked.
Annual Connecticut Fish Distribution Report - Provides numbers of each type of fish stocked in each waterbody.
Fish and Bug Data - Use our interactive map to find new places to fish or new types of flies to tie. Connecticut DEEP and UConn CLEAR have collaborated on a project to make Connecticut's freshwater fish community data (historic and current) available to the public. This new Fish Community Data Viewer allows users to search DEEP fish or macroinvertebrate community data for inland waters by town, waterbody or fish species. Fish and macroinvertebrate counts are available for over 2,270 sample sites across Connecticut.
Lake Contour Maps - Detailed bathymetric maps of over 150 lakes in PDF format! A collaborative work of CT DEEP and UCONN. Community Fishing Waters Program (formerly Urban Fishing) - Information on waters in urban neighborhoods that are stocked with trout and channel catfish.
Spawning Related Fish Kill Fact Sheet - Contains information regarding spawning related fish kills that are observed during May and June in many Connecticut lakes and ponds.
Alewife And Blueback Herring - Emergency Fishery Closure is in effect
Lake Bathymetry Maps

Content last updated January 2024

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Freshwater Fishing