CT Freshwater Fishing Regulations: Size Limits, Seasons, and License Requirements

Freshwater Fishing License Requirements

Any CT resident or non-resident 16 years or older must have a valid CT freshwater fishing license to fish inland waters. License options:

- **CT Resident Annual:** ~$19–$32 depending on age (discounts for seniors 65+, veterans, and others) - **CT Non-Resident Annual:** ~$63 - **Non-Resident 3-Day:** ~$28 (good for visiting anglers) - **Junior License (age 15):** ~$11

Licenses are available online at ct.gov/deep or at sporting goods stores, bait shops, and Walmart locations that have a hunting/fishing license counter. All-Terrain annual sportsman licenses (fishing + hunting combined) are also available.

Children under 16 do not require a license to fish in Connecticut.

Trout Regulations

Trout regulations are some of the most complicated in CT because they vary by the type of water body and the management designation.

**General Inland Season:** Third Saturday in April through last day of February of the following year. No trout fishing the rest of the year on most stocked waters.

**Year-Round Trout Areas:** Designated stretches (typically "wild trout management areas") are open year-round. The upper Farmington River, portions of the Salmon River, and others. Check the DEEP regulations book for current designations.

**Size Limits:** - Rainbow/brown/brook trout (stocked waters): 9-inch minimum, 5-fish daily bag limit - Wild trout management areas: typically 9-inch minimum, 3-fish daily limit or catch-and-release only — varies by designation - Lake trout: 15-inch minimum

**Fly fishing only sections:** Several streams in CT are designated fly fishing only. No bait or hardware allowed — artificial flies only. Check the water-specific regulations.

Bass Regulations

**Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:** - Open season: Second Saturday in June through March 31 - Size limit: 12-inch minimum - Daily limit: 6 fish - Catch-and-release is legal year-round (size/possession limits apply when keeping fish)

**Note:** Bass season is closed April 1 through the Friday before the second Saturday in June — this covers the spawning period. Fishing for bass during the closed season, even catch-and-release, is illegal.

Some waters have special bass regulations (larger size limits, reduced bag limits). Check the DEEP regulations book for your specific water.

Pike, Pickerel, and Muskellunge

**Northern Pike:** - No closed season - 24-inch minimum size limit - 2 fish daily limit

**Chain Pickerel:** - No closed season - 12-inch minimum size limit - 10 fish daily limit

**Muskellunge:** - 36-inch minimum size limit - 1 fish daily limit - Muskies are rare in CT — primarily found in a few northwest CT waters where they've been stocked

**Tiger Muskie:** (hybrid) — same regulations as muskellunge

Other Species

**Yellow Perch:** No size limit, 50-fish daily limit. Open year-round.

**Crappie (Black/White):** No size limit, 25 fish combined daily limit. Open year-round.

**Channel Catfish:** 12-inch minimum. 10 fish daily limit.

**Carp:** No size limit, no daily limit. Carp are considered a nuisance species in CT.

**American Eel:** Legal year-round with a CT freshwater license. No size limit, 25 eel daily limit. Eels are found in most CT rivers connected to tidal water.

**Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed):** No size limit, 50-fish daily limit.

**Shad:** Open season April 1 through June 15 in the Connecticut River. American shad 16-inch minimum, 6 fish daily limit. Catch-and-release is permitted beyond the limit.

All regulations are subject to annual revision. Always verify at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing before your trip.

Download the free CT Fishing Guide at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing — regulations are updated annually.

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