Connecticut fishing reports
248 reports for Connecticut — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Connecticut inland waters shift into fall feeding pattern
Connecticut's inland lakes and ponds are moving through the seasonal turnover window that defines early October across southern New England waters, with surface temperatures sliding toward fall norms and cooler nights pushing baitfish and gamefish out of their summer holding patterns. This transition typically scatters fish for a short stretch before they settle into more predictable fall locations, tracking baitfish toward wind-blown points, creek channels, and the first drop-offs off main-lake flats. With the moon in a waning gibbous phase, the low-light windows around dawn and dusk should offer the most consistent activity for anglers working CT's inland fisheries this week.
Fall run builds in Long Island Sound as nor'easter clears
Long Island Sound held steady near 65°F this week across the New London, New Haven and Bridgeport tide stations, conditions that keep the fall run building. Captain Mike aboard Tartan II reports black sea bass fishing has stayed strong through the recent blow, with a good mix of sizes and plenty of keepers. At Black Hawk, a Tuesday trip produced a strong mix of black sea bass and bluefish with a few keeper striped bass mixed in, while Monday's bottom-fishing trip also turned up a few fluke. J&B Tackle noted that ahead of this past weekend's nor'easter, striped bass, bluefish and false albacore fishing was heating up for what looks like a strong fall run, and the shop is hoping the storm pushed more bait and fish into the area. Shore anglers are producing too — AW Marina had a customer land a slot-sized striped bass from the beach.
Fall bite building on CT ponds as trout stocking nears
Cooling water is doing what it does every fall: waking up largemouth bass activity across New England ponds, per The Fisherman's New England Freshwater report, which noted better shore action on shiners as temperatures slide and slab crappies stacking up on worms around deeper structure. Yellow perch are running heavy for shore anglers working shiners close to bottom. Brown trout holdovers are showing signs of the fall spawn, with some fish thinning down as they stage near dam structure, and shops across the region are already fielding steady questions about when autumn trout stocking begins.
Striped bass and albies build as a nor'easter reshapes the Sound
Long Island Sound sits at 64.6-64.8°F across the New London, New Haven, and Bridgeport CO-OPS stations, holding steady heading into this weekend's nor'easter. J&B Tackle in Connecticut reports striped bass, bluefish and false albacore fishing was heating up for a strong fall run right before the storm arrived, and they're hoping the blow pushes more bait and fish into the area. AW Marina saw shore anglers land slot-sized striped bass off the beach, while Black Hawk's charter mix included keeper bluefish with a few slot stripers on Tuesday, plus black sea bass and fluke on their bottom-fishing trip. Tartan II is still grinding out a strong black sea bass bite on the bottom.
Cool-Down Turns On Pike and Crappie Across New England Waters
Fall's cool-down is starting to reshape freshwater patterns across the region. Per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, Roger Aziz Jr. worked the Merrimack River and landed five northern pike plus a handful of crappie in a single outing, a sign predator fish are shifting into their early-fall feeding rhythm as days shorten and baitfish schools tighten up. Water levels were reported low across much of the Northeast Wildlife District, and structure holding the remaining bait is drawing the most attention.
Albie Fever Takes Hold on Long Island Sound as Fall Run Builds
Water temps are holding in the mid-60s across Long Island Sound: 64°F at New London, 65.1°F at New Haven, and 66.4°F at Bridgeport, per NOAA CO-OPS readings taken this morning, with the Full Moon pushing extra water through the system. False albacore are the story this week: J&B Tackle in Niantic reports albies "everywhere from Black Point to Fishers Island," with Avery Point, Sarah's Ledge, Ocean Beach, Harkness, Seaside, Niantic Bay and Black Point all producing. AW Marina says "albie fever has really taken hold," with anglers burning through epoxy jigs and tins. Striped bass are feeding on heavy bait but haven't started blitzing, per J&B Tackle, bluefish are active from snappers to gators, and the Tartan II reports fantastic bottom fishing with numerous, large black sea bass.
Albie Fever Takes Hold Across Long Island Sound
Water temps sit in the mid-60s across Long Island Sound — 64.4°F to 66.4°F at the three NOAA CO-OPS stations along the Connecticut coast — and local shops say the fall run has arrived. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut, J&B Tackle reports albies "everywhere from Black Point to Fishers Island," with anglers working epoxy jigs and tins hard at Avery Point, Sarah's Ledge, Ocean Beach, Harkness, Seaside and Niantic Bay. AW Marina echoes the push, calling it "albie fever" as customers clean out the epoxy-jig bins. Striped bass are feeding heavily on bait but not yet blitzing, per J&B Tackle, while bluefish — from snappers to gators — stay very active throughout the Sound. Tartan II's bottom-fishing trips continue producing large black sea bass, and Black Hawk's final fluke trip of the season came in below expectations as that fishery winds down.
Albie fever grips Connecticut Sound as fall run kicks in
Long Island Sound water temps are holding in the mid-60s, from 65.1°F at NOAA CO-OPS station 8461490 to 68°F at station 8467150, and Connecticut shops say the fall run has arrived in earnest. J&B Tackle reports albies are everywhere from Black Point to Fishers Island, striped bass feeding heavily on bait without blitzing yet, and bluefish ranging from snappers to gators staying very active. AW Marina says albie fever has taken hold, with customers flying through epoxy jigs and tins while also readying tackle for the coming tautog season opener. Aboard the Tartan II, bottom fishing stays fantastic for black sea bass, both numerous and large, while fluke wrapped up soft this week per Black Hawk's final trip of the season.
Albie Fever Takes Over Long Island Sound Ahead of Full Moon Tides
Long Island Sound's water temperatures are holding steady in the high 60s, reading 67.3°F, 67.8°F and 68.2°F across our three CO-OPS stations, and the fall run is showing it. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut, J&B Tackle reports albies are everywhere from Black Point to Fishers Island, with striped bass feeding heavily on bait but not yet blitzing and bluefish from snappers to gators very active. AW Marina says albie fever has customers flying through epoxy jigs and tins. Bottom fishing stays strong too — the Tartan II is finding fantastic sea bass, though the Black Hawk's final fluke trip of the season came in soft.
Pike and crappie keep biting as inland rivers run low this fall
Northern pike and crappie are producing in low, clear water this week, per The Fisherman's New England Freshwater report: an angler on the Merrimack River tallied five pike and a handful of crappie despite thin flows, a pattern consistent with the low-water conditions typical across the region's rivers and lakes as the fall cooldown sets in. Shops are also seeing a run on trout gear ahead of the seasonal stocking push, a sign anglers are gearing up early.
Albie Fever Takes Hold Across the Eastern Sound
Long Island Sound water temperatures are holding in the upper 60s this week, 65.8°F off New London, 68.4°F off New Haven and 69.1°F off Bridgeport, comfortable enough to keep the fall run rolling. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut, false albacore have taken over the eastern Sound, with one Connecticut shop describing albies as 'everywhere from Black Point to Fishers Island' and naming Avery Point, Sarah's Ledge, Ocean Beach, Harkness, Seaside, Niantic Bay and Black Point as producing spots, while another notes anglers are stocking up on epoxy jigs and tins as albie fever takes hold. The same report has striped bass feeding heavily on bait but not yet blitzing, bluefish 'very active' from snappers to gators, and black sea bass fishing staying strong on the bottom.
Fall Transition Wakes Pike and Crappie on Inland Waters
Fall's cool-down is starting to reshuffle inland fisheries across the Northeast. Per The Fisherman's New England Freshwater column, an angler working the Merrimack River this week landed five northern pike and a handful of crappie, despite low water still holding across ponds, lakes and rivers throughout the region.