Connecticut Fishing Report
While most anglers have their sights set on the arrival of migratory striped bass, Connecticut’s resident striper fishery is firing. The rivers are fishing well and some bass have even slid into more open water environs as river herring numbers are on the rise. Across the pond on Long Island’s North Shore, the uptick in herring has boosted angler spirits. Compared to recent years this was not a typical winter, and below-average water temps have delayed a bite that usually picks up in mid- to late March in the Western Sound. But with a full moon on April 1 and full-grown baitfish (herring) moving in, the backwater striper season is officially underway.
In addition to better striped bass fishing ahead, Western Sound anglers are eagerly awaiting the opening of CT’s spring tautog season on April 1. While it’s unlikely that the bite will be hot from the jump, most people are just happy to be back on the water and have options.
Generally, spring tog fishing is a shallow-water game that requires lighter, more sensitive spinning tackle and some finesse. Medium- and medium-heavy power fast-action rods rated for 1- to 1.5-ounce jigs, 3000-size reels, and fine-diameter fluorocarbon leader will help to sense subtle pick-ups. Green crabs are the first baits that come to mind for most, but seaworms, Asian shore crabs, and later in the month, fiddler and hermit crabs, are all great options. If jigs tipped with crab aren’t getting attention, try a single-hook rig with seaworms or clam and an appropriately weighted bank sinker for the depth you are fishing. It’s not uncommon to find tog hanging tight to individual boulders or rock piles in 5 to 10 feet of water during the early spring.
April may be the start of the saltwater fishing season in Connecticut, but it’s arguably the best month of freshwater fishing all year. Trophy largemouth bass are putting on the feedbags prior to spawning, trout are stocked across the state, lake trout are chewing in shallow, and smallmouth bass will soon be dialed in on river herring in coves, pools, and bays of the Connecticut River.
Next week, we’re back to weekly full-length fishing reports from local shops, guides, and charter operations. Prep your gear, make your last-minute purchases, and get excited for the true spring fishing season.
3/19/2026
It’s open water season, folks. The vernal equinox is right around the corner (Saturday, 3/21) and while the weather has been all over the place, our spring fishing opportunities abound. From bass fishing in the lakes and ponds to trout and salmon fishing in rivers and streams, there’s no shortage of fishable water as we approach the start of a new saltwater season. Get your toes wet (not literally) with some freshwater fishing before blackfish season opens on April 1.
Since the stocking trucks began making their rounds earlier this month, catch-and-release trout fishing has been one of the most productive options for fly and spin anglers across the state. The streams are fishing well despite higher flows due to rain and runoff, but water quality has been rather poor. Bright-colored patterns that will stand out in turbid conditions should be the first flies out of your box. As flows settle and air temperatures continue to rise this month, natural patterns and dry flies can lead to some fast action. Use the CT DEEP Interactive Trout Stocking Map to see which rivers and ponds were most recently stocked in your area.
Bass fishermen are gearing up for coldwater pre-spawn fishing with craw-imitating jigs, Ned rigs, suspending jerkbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits to draw reaction strikes from lethargic fish. Drop-offs and ledges, rocky offshore lumps, and deep weed beds adjacent to steep shorelines are prime areas to cast for largemouth and smallmouth bass. As warmer weather takes hold and bass begin to move around, look to transition areas—places where bottom composition changes from gravel to grass, prominent nearshore features like shallow points, or coves and bays with deep vegetation.
As expected, there has been a ton of interest in holdover striped bass fishing lately. Already, there are some respectable fish being caught on suspending minnow plugs, 5-inch paddletails, and straight-tail soft plastics of similar size. In areas with heavy current and a drastic tide swing, straight tails will likely be the better option, especially since the March new moon just passed. Fish them low—swimming just off bottom or jigging along bottom—and painfully slow to entice strikes from coldwater stripers. In the coming weeks, we will likely see the action slide further downriver. Keep an eye out for river herring, which can ignite an early spring bite.
We’ll be back to regular weekly fishing reports right after the start of the tautog season on Thursday, April 2. Enjoy our spring freshwater fisheries and hang tight—the saltwater season is not far off.
3/12/2026
Since the weekend, ice conditions across the state have significantly depleted and despite some near-freezing overnight temperatures ahead, it seems the ice fishing season has come to an end. It was a great season for hardwater enthusiasts, but with the official start of spring just over a week away and lakes and ponds continuing to thaw—especially around the edges—there’s so much to look forward to.
Good news for anglers who have been waiting for open water all winter: CT Fish & Wildlife announced that spring trout stocking is underway! Check out the CT DEEP Interactive Trout Stocking Map to see which bodies of water have been stocked and when. Just keep in mind that trout fishing in Connecticut is catch-and-release only until the second Saturday in April (4/11).
The rivers and streams are free of ice, but flows are generally high, fast, and stained due to heavy runoff from melting snow and ice. Anyone looking for their fishing fix this weekend should consider checking out smaller, recently stocked trout streams or brooks. Resident striped bass are also back in play now that the rivers are ice-free, but with such dirty water and high flows, conditions are less than ideal. It will take some time for places like the Housatonic to become fishable again.
It won’t be long until scout river herring begin to trickle in and the holdover striper fishery lights up ahead of the spring migration. Until then, we have good catch-and-release trout fishing opportunities across the state. And soon enough, the ponds will be completely thawed and we’ll be casting to freshwater favorites like largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Looking further ahead, the spring tautog (blackfish) season begins in just 20 days on April 1! But who’s counting?
3/5/2026
We’ve made it through the worst of winter and over the next week, Connecticut anglers will get a taste of spring—but don’t get too excited yet. While temperatures will climb into the 50s and 60s beginning Sunday, it is only a temporary warmup. That said, this impending warm front will be the driving force behind a slow, steady thaw.
The extended forecast is always subject to change, and while daytime temps will remain above freezing after this unseasonably warm stretch of weather, it’s the overnight temps that anglers need to keep an eye on. When the ice starts to melt significantly and does not completely refreeze overnight, conditions become questionable if not downright hazardous. With most ponds in northern Connecticut locked up under 12 to 18 inches of ice or more, we’re not in the danger zone yet. But going forward, anglers fishing on bodies of water closer to the coast should proceed with extra caution or consider heading inland.
For those who got on the ice this week, not much has changed. The fishing was good and there was plenty of variety. White and yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, rainbow and brook trout, bass, pickerel, and pike were all in play. There are signs of some slight melting on the top layers of ice, much of which consists of densely-packed snow over hard, clear ice. Rain isn’t doing it any favors, but in most cases, there is ample ice for hardwater enthusiasts to continue fishing through the weekend.
Keep in mind that each body of water is different; the ice can be 14 inches thick on one lake while a neighboring pond 20 minutes south and west may have only 10 inches. Additionally, certain areas of ponds that have been more than safe can thaw at different rates. For the sturdiest ice, look to coves, deep shoreline areas with some tree cover, and spots that are far from flowing water likes creeks and springs. Keep a spud bar on hand to continually check the ice thickness throughout the day and as you move from spot to spot.
It may be tempting to sport jeans and a hoodie on the ice during this warmup, but as it melts, it becomes that much more important to wear a float suit or PFD. The water is still frigid, and the ice thickness will vary as the month progresses, so it’s best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Avoid using inflatable PFDs if possible, as they can be faulty when exposed to cold water.
Ice access may become an issue well before main lake conditions get remotely questionable. The edges will start to thin out soon, so if getting onto the ice early in the day is the biggest barrier, it’d be wise to consider another spot or stay off of it altogether. All it takes is a few hours of sun and warm weather for shallow entry points to deteriorate to unsafe levels, which can make it difficult to get back to shore.
For those who are not interested in pre-frontal ice fishing, take a day trip to Providence, RI, for the New England Saltwater Fishing Show hosted by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA). Tickets are $15 at the door with free admission for kids under age 12. There are hundreds of vendors in the fishing industry and plenty of activities and seminars to entertain the whole family. Swing by the OTW booth to renew your subscription, pick up a new hat or hoodie, or sign up for the 2026 Striper Cup. We’ll see you there!