Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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

How to Catch Saltwater Fish

Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Habitat: Large rivers in spring and fall. Estuaries and bays in summer.

Fishing Method: Drifting with live bait. Jigging and trolling. Bottom fishing with live or dead bait. Casting to fish.

Baits and Lures: Live Bait: Menhaden, eels, shiners and sand worms. All types of swimming and diving lures, bucktail jigs, swimming baits.

 

Hickory Shad

Hickory Shad

Habitat: Estuaries, bays and lower sections of rivers and coves.

Fishing Method: Casting to fish. Drifting with the tide. Anchored over structure and channels.

Baits and Lures: Willowleaf, shard dart, kastmaster and small jigs with plastic bodies.

 

Fluke

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Habitat: Estuaries, bays and lower sections of rivers. Hard bottom and channels preferred.

Fishing Method: Bottom fishing. Drifting with bait. Jigging up and down. Casting to fish and slowly retrieving bait/lure.

Baits and Lures: Live/dead bait (bunker, herring, mummichogs, shiners and silversides), cut squid, baited jigs, rubber worms and plastic baits.

 

Scup

Scup (porgy)

Habitat: Estuaries and bays. Rock piles/reefs. Oyster and mussel beds. Pilings and jetties.

Fishing Method: Anchored over structure. Bottom fishing. Fishing with live or dead bait.

Baits and Lures: Squid, conch, sand worms, shrimp, night crawlers. Mussels and clams.

 

Content last updated March 2020