Fishing

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• Sheepshead Minnow

  The sheepshead minnow is a standard for use in many laboratory toxicity and genetics studies.

• Fish Descriptions and Distribution Maps Explained

  Learn how to interpret the fish descriptions and distribution maps used to describe the freshwater fishes of Connecticut!

• Pupfishes

  The pupfishes and killifishes are very similar and were once included in the same family.

• American Shad

  In 2003, the American shad was designated Connecticut’s “State Fish.”

• Alewife

  Anadromous alewives are important forage fish for large gamefish such as striped bass and bluefish as well as many other animals, including osprey and marine mammals.

• Blueback Herring

  Blueback herring and alewives are so similar that the color of the gut lining (peritoneum) is the only sure way to tell them apart.

• Burbot

  The burbot is the only completely freshwater member of the cod family. Little is known of its life history in Connecticut.

• Herrings

  There are six native species of herring that commonly enter fresh waters in Connecticut.

• 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.

• Yellow Bullhead

  They were first observed in Connecticut in the early 1980s at a few disjunct sites in the lower Housatonic and upper Quinebaug River drainages. Populations are expanding in both of these drainages, and individuals have recently been discovered in the Connecticut River drainage as well.

• 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.

• Gizzard Shad

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

• Northern Pike

  The northern pike is Connecticut’s largest strictly freshwater gamefish.

• 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.