Connecticut Fishing, Connecticut Bass and Trout Fishing

If you’ve never visited Connecticut, you might picture it as one industrialized city after another. The state also has rural areas, mountains, rolling hills, lakes, rivers, and streams. Connecticut residents enjoy their fishing, especially for trout and bass.

The small state lacks the sprawling reservoirs of many other states. In fact, the largest, Candlewood Lake, encompasses only 2,800 acres. Instead, Connecticut has small lakes and reservoirs, along with numerous ponds. Major rivers include the Thames, the Connecticut, and the Housatonic.

Both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass can be found in Connecticut waters. The state record largemouth weighed 12 pounds, 14 ounces; the record smallmouth bass weighed in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Those are pretty respectable fish, no matter where you are.

In addition to bass and trout, Connecticut waters are also home to Kokanee salmon, northern pike, carp, walleye, crappie, catfish, and panfish.

Connecticut Bass and Trout Fishing Lakes

Candlewood Lake, near the state’s western border, is surrounded by forest. The lake was made by flooding a valley, and bottom is littered with all kinds of structure. It has a healthy population of largemouth, smallmouth, and rock bass. The lake is the site for more than 100 bass fishing tournaments each year.

In the northwest corner of the state is 1,200-acre Bantam Lake. Bantam offers some fine smallmouth fishing, along with some fair largemouth bass angling. This is a favorite lake for ice fishing in the winter.

Mashapaug Lake is located in northeastern Connecticut, near the Massachusetts border. This 300-acre lake was home to the state record largemouth, and according to local anglers, there are still some lunkers there. This is also a good spot for smallmouth bass fishing.

Mansfield Hollow Lake is in north-central Connecticut and covers over 400 acres. The lake has a large population of bucketmouths, but most are on the smallish side.

Quaddick Reservoir, in northeastern Connecticut, covers over 400 acres and is another favorite for ice fishing. In the warmer months, some nice largemouth bass are taken, in the five-six pound range. The action isn’t fast, but if you do hook up with a bass, there’s a good chance it will be a keeper.

Most major “fishing holes” in Connecticut have experienced Connecticut bass fishing guides available.

Connecticut Trout Fishing

Trout fishing for browns, brookies, rainbows, and lake trout is a favorite pastime for Connecticuters. Trout love cold, clear water, and the state has plenty of that. Some of the best trout lakes in the state are Long Pond, West Hill Pond, Ball Pond, Mohawk Pond, and Amos Lake. For large lake trout, try Wononscopomuc Lake in Salisbury, and for big rainbows, fish Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.

Rivers and streams are another place to do some trout fishing. Try the Housatonic River, the Farmington River, the Naugatuck River, and Blackwells Brook.

Connecticut has plenty of trout guides to ensure that your fishing trip is both enjoyable and productive.