Fishing in
Connecticut
3,420 named waters · 1 stocked in the last 30 days
Connecticut's trout fishing runs through the Housatonic River, a designated trout management area with wild and holdover brown trout in a state better known for its coastline. Long Island Sound brings striped bass and bluefish into range for shore and boat anglers along the entire southern border.
Connecticut holds 3,420 fishable waters on the books. CT DEEP has logged 256 stockings in the last year, led by trout. The biggest water in the state is Lake Candlewood at 5,127 acres.
Loading the map…
When does Connecticut stock?
Stocking peaks in April and May, going by every record on the books.
What you'll catch here
- Trout182 waters
Freshest stockings
Full report →- Farmington RiverTroutJul 2, 2026
- Quinebaug RiverTroutMay 14, 2026
- Willimantic RiverTroutMay 14, 2026
- Shetucket RiverTroutMay 14, 2026
- Wauregan PondTroutMay 14, 2026
Most-stocked waters, last 12 months
- Farmington River7× stocked
- Naugatuck River5× stocked
- Quinebaug River5× stocked
- Pequonnock River4× stocked
- Saugatuck River3× stocked
- Willimantic River3× stocked
- Bantam River2× stocked
- Mianus River2× stocked
- Moosup River2× stocked
- Farm River2× stocked
Biggest waters
- Lake Candlewood5,127 ac
- Barkhamsted Reservoir2,232 ac
- Lake Lillinonah1,531 ac
- Lake Gaillard1,091 ac
- Bantam Lake954 ac
- Colebrook River Lake845 ac
- Nepaug Reservoir827 ac
- Saugatuck Reservoir823 ac
Major rivers
- Connecticut Riverorder 8 · ~20,108 cfs
- Housatonic Riverorder 7 · ~3,477 cfs
- Thames Riverorder 7 · ~2,684 cfs
- Shetucket Riverorder 7 · ~2,319 cfs
- Quinebaug Riverorder 6 · ~1,334 cfs
- Farmington Riverorder 6 · ~1,210 cfs
- Saxton Brookorder 6 · ~1,028 cfs
- West Branch Farmington Riverorder 6 · ~517 cfs
Waters by county
All counties →Capitol (631) · Northwest Hills (447) · Southeastern Connecticut (441) · Western Connecticut (422) · Northeastern Connecticut (385) · Lower Connecticut River Valley (368) · Naugatuck Valley (334) · South Central Connecticut (292) · Greater Bridgeport (100)
Seasons, limits, and rules are Connecticut's call — read the official regulations and buy your license from the state, not a middleman. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Explore nearby states
Connecticut fishing — FAQ
Where does Connecticut stock fish?+
CT DEEP logged 256 stockings across Connecticut in the last year, led by trout. Browse the map and most-stocked waters above for exact locations.
When does Connecticut stock fish?+
Stocking in Connecticut peaks in April and May, going by every record on the books. See each water's page for its own seasonality.
Do I need a license to fish in Connecticut?+
Yes — Connecticut requires a fishing license for most anglers. Buy one from the state agency and check current seasons and limits before you go.
How many fishable waters are in Connecticut?+
Connecticut has 3,420 named fishable waters mapped on FishableWaters, from stocked reservoirs to wild streams.