Connecticut offers diverse freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities to beginners and experienced anglers. With more than 180 public lakes, ponds, and thousands of miles of streams, Connecticut state waters are teeming with trout, bass, carp, walleye, and pike.
In addition to freshwater fish species, Connecticut is also home to many saltwater species, including summer flounder, scup, hickory shad, and many more. If you’re interested in catching any of these species, you’ll need to know when the fishing season ends in Connecticut.
The fishing season in Connecticut is open all year round, and there is no opening or closing season day. The Connecticut fishing season is open all year round for striped bass, scup, bluefish, sea trout, hickory, American shad, white perch, Atlantic menhaden, smooth dogfish, and red drum.
Read on to learn more about Connecticut fishing regulations for the daily possession and length limits.
General Fishing Laws and Season in Connecticut
In Connecticut, all persons age 16 or older fishing in the Inland district are required to carry a valid inland fishing license. In addition to a fishing license, anglers looking to catch trout or salmon must purchase a trout and salmon stamp.
Marine water fishing licenses are required of persons age 16 or older fishing from a boat or shore in the marine district. A marine fishing license is also necessary when landing marine fish or bait species in offshore waters.
Both inland and marine fishing licenses are issued on a calendar year basis and expire on December 31st. Before you head out fishing in Connecticut, check out the state’s current fishing rules and regulations.
General Fishing Laws
Like all other states, Connecticut has general laws and fishing regulations that specify the daily possession and length limits for all fish species found in state waters.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
The minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass taken from lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams is 12 inches. The daily possession limit is six basses.
Brown, Rainbow, & Brook Trout
There is no minimum size limit for brown, rainbow, or brook trout. The daily bag limit is eight trout per person or eight fish when trout are combined with kokanee.
Kokanee
There is no minimum length limit for kokanee, and the daily possession limit is five fish. If you’re targeting trout as well, you can bag a maximum of eight kokanees and trout combined.
Walleye
The minimum length limit for walleye is 18 inches, and the daily bag limit is two fish.
Common Carp
The daily bag limit for common carp is five fish, but only one carp can be over 26 inches long.
Catfish
The daily possession limit for channel or white catfish is six, and there is no minimum length limit.
Panfish
There is no minimum length size or daily bag limit for yellow and white perch, bluegill, bullhead, and pumpkinseed.
Northern Pike
The minimum length for the northern pike is 26 inches, and the daily bag limit is two.
Chain Pickerel
The daily possession limit for chain pickerel is six fish with a minimum length of 15 inches.
Hickory Shad
There is no minimum length limit for hickory shad, and the daily bag limit is six.
Summer Flounder
The minimum length limit for summer flounder is 18.5 inches, and the daily bag limit is four fish.
Scup
The daily bag limit for scup is 30 fish with a minimum length of 10 inches.
Fishing Seasons
The fishing season in Connecticut is open all year round, except for certain fish species. Fishing season is open for:
- Trout
- Kokanee
- Striped bass
- Scup
- Bluefish
- Sea trout
- Hickory shad
- American shad
- American eel
- Atlantic menhaden
- Smooth and spiny dogfish
- Red drum
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass
- Channel and white catfish
- Common carp
- Chain pickerel
- Northern pike
- Panfish
- White perch
- Walleye
The following fish species have set open-season dates:
Summer Flounder
For summer founder open day fishing season starts on May 1 and closes on October 9.
Tautog
For tautog, the fishing season starts on April 1 and lasts until April 30. The season opens again on July 1 and closes on August 31. After a short break, the tautog season is open again from October 10 until November 28.
Black Sea Bass
The black sea bass fishing season opens on May 19 and lasts until December 1.
Winter Flounder
The fishing season for winter flounder starts on April 1 and closes on December 31.
What Fish Are in Season in Connecticut?
Many different fish species are in season in Connecticut all year round. The most popular catches in Connecticut are black sea bass, bluefish, striped bass, walleye, and northern pike.
Can You Fish Year-Round in Connecticut?
Yes, anglers can fish year-round in Connecticut. The fishing season in Connecticut is open throughout the year for trout, kokanee, striped bass, scup, bluefish, sea trout, hickory shad, American shad, American eel, Atlantic menhaden, smooth and spiny dogfish, red drum, largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel and white catfish, common carp, chain pickerel, northern pike, panfish, white perch, and walleye.
Can You Fish in Connecticut in December?
Yes, fishermen can fish in Connecticut in December. Some fish species are in season all year round and can be taken in December.
Can You Fish in Connecticut in the Winter?
Connecticut has no close fishing season for bass, trout, and many other fish species, which gives anglers a chance to fish in the state water during the winter.
Conclusion
Connecticut offers diverse fishing opportunities for people of all ages. The fishing season in Connecticut lasts all year long, giving anglers a chance to fish for trout, bass, walleye, or northern pike every day throughout the year.
Before planning a fishing trip in Connecticut, get familiar with state fishing rules and regulations, and don’t forget to buy a fishing license. If you’re planning to catch trout or salmon, you’ll need to purchase a special trout and salmon stamp.