Southern Connecticut
Bridgeport Harbor | Westport | Harbor Point | New Rochelle, NY | Rye, NY
LICENSING
Fishing licenses are required for all fishing in the State, and offshore, of Connecticut. The most up to date information on licenses, what they cost, and where to purchase them is available at the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection at the following link: Fishing License Information
Striped Bass
Striped bass are opportunistic eaters, found in both salt and fresh water, who can be caught with a variety of live bait and lures that resemble what striped bass in the area typically eat. Striped bass prefer temperatures between 45 and 65 degrees so, depending on conditions, may migrate to find warmer or cooler conditions or swim higher or lower in the water column. Also be mindful that striped bass tend to feed at dusk or dawn and that water movement stirs up sediment which attracts the bait fish that striped bass eat. To have a successful catch you will most likely need salt w
ater spinning reels that are sturdy enough to pull in a 20 to 25 pound, and a 10 to 20 pound test line. Also, hooks with at least half of an inch between the shank and the point will help you avoid catching undersized bass.
Regulations:
- Minimum length 28 inches
- Daily limit 1 fish per angler
- Year round open season
Tautog (Blackfish)
Blackfish, found near the shoreline during warmer months and deeper waters as it gets cooler, have a lean white flesh with a mild taste. They tend to be found grouped in areas that are rocky, or around piers, wrecks, bridge pilings, and mussel beds. Blackfish prefer familiar territories, and do not travel far to find food, consulting with a local tackle shop can clue you in as to where to find these areas. Bait such as fiddler crabs, green crabs, clams and shrimp work well for catching this type of fish. It is recommended that you use a strong rod and at least a 40 pound test line when fishing for blackfish, since they reside in rocky areas the line needs to be sturdy enough to navigate through these hazards. When you have the proper equipment, allowing the baited line to rest, motionless, on the bottom attracts the fish. Do not move or bounce the line. Blackfish must be reeled in immediately after being hooked, as they will attempt to weave through the rocks which, if not dealt with quickly, will tangle the fishing line.
Regulations:
- Minimum length 16 inches
- Open season from April 1st through April 30th - 1 fish per angler per day
- Open season July 1st through August 31st - 2 fish per angler per day
- October 10th through December 6th - 4 fish per angler per day
Bluefish
First and foremost, keep in mind that Bluefish, Long Island Sounds premier gamefish, have a powerful bite, so be careful when handling them. Bluefish are aggressive feeders and will be tempted by just about any splashing surface lure. Teardrop lures are great for choppy conditions, and pencil poppers are good for calm waters. Squid, mullet and mackerel can also be used, especially if you do not see any bluefish breaking the surface of the water. Since bluefish are so aggressive when eating, it is best to pierce the hook through the length of the bait so that the hook is not missed as the bluefish tears apart the bait.
Regulations:
- No minimum length
- Daily limit 10 fish per angler
- Year round open season
Weakfish (Sea Trout)
Weakfish can be found pretty much anywhere other than fresh water, however during the winter they tend to stay at depths greater than 300 feet. You can be successful at catching Weakfish using a wide variety of fishing methods. These fish are not picky eaters, so they can be caught using a variety of lures, such as flies, plugs, jigs, etc., and bait, such as shrimp, squid, and saltwater live bait.
Regulations:
- Minimum length 16 inches
- Daily limit 1 fish per angler
- Season open year round
Hickory and American Shad
Regulations:
- No minimum length
- Daily limit 6 fish per angler (both species in aggregate)
- Season open year round
- American shad can only be fished for in the Connecticut River
White Perch
White Perch is a popular panfish with sweet and flavorful meat, found in fresh water. They are small and therefore do not require strong and expensive equipment to catch. Perch prefer minnows and insect larva, but crayfish meat can also be used with success. Lures such as yellow and white (or a combination of both) plugs, jigs and spinners can also be used to catch perch. Perch are most active when feeding and this activity changes from season to season.
- Spring: early morning
- Summer: late afternoon
- Autumn: morning
- Winter: dusk
Fishing from a boat is the best way to catch perch, as they prefer deep water and the boat will allow you to change locations to follow the school. And since they are schooling fish, it is likely that if you catch one, there are many more in that area. It is also likely that they can be found near drop offs where the water goes abruptly from shallow to deep. They like to feed off the ground, so your line will need to reach deep into the water. Since perch are light, you need to pay close attention to any movement in your line signaling that you have a bite so that the they can be reeled in quickly.
Regulations:
- Minimum length 7 inches
- Daily limit 30 fish per angler
- Season open year round
Atlantic Menhaden (Bunker)
Regulations:
- No minimum length
- Daily limit 50 fish per angler or five gallons, whichever is greater
- Year round season
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Flounder have delicious white flaky meat and tend to be easiest to catch between September and November when migrating toward the ocean. They lie on their sides at the bottom of coastal areas, usually near ledges and drop offs, where the current runs from shallow to deeper water. When it comes to bait, flounder can be picky eaters. They wait for prey to pass in front of them before striking, so live bait tends to work best. Consult with a local tackle shop to discover what works best for the area you plan to fish. If you choose to use artificial bait, pink, white, yellow, or red grub-tailed jigs tend to work well. Circle hooks are recommended when fishing for flounder as it is an easy hook for the flounder to bite. Don't forget that sinkers will help lower the hook and bait to the bottom where flounder can be found. Fishing from flounder on a boat is a very effective method for catching them. Allow your bait to sink to the bottom in an area where the current will allow the boat to drift. The movement of the bait from the boat drifting will allow the bait to pass in front of the flounder. When you get a hit, wait about five seconds before reeling it in. Since flounder lie on their sides it takes them a little longer than other fish to grip the bait.
Regulations:
- Minimum length 18 inches
- Daily limit 5 fish per angler
- Open season from May 17th through September 21st
Scup (Porgy)
Regulations:
- Minimum length 10 inches
- Open season May 1st through December 1st
- Daily limit 30 fish per angler
Black Sea Bass
Black sea bass tend to stay on the bottom, near wrecks, piers, breakwaters, reefs, rock and shell beds, at depths from 30 to 120 feet. They are most successfully caught from anchored or drifting boats by bottom fishing with either bait or tackle. When choosing bait or tackle, it is good to know that black sea bass prefer crabs, cut bait, saltwater live bait, shrimp, and jigs.
Regulations:
- Minimum length 14 inches, exclude tail fin filament
- Open season June 1st through August 31st - 3 fish per angler per day
- Open season September 1st through December 31st - 5 fish per angler per day
Winter Flounder
Regulations:
- Minimum length 12 inches
- Daily limit two fish per angler
- Open season April 1 through December 31st
River Herring: Alewife/Blueback Herring
Regulations:
- Catch and Release Only
American Eel
Regulations:
- Minimum length 9 inches
- Daily limit 25 eels per angler
- Year round season
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic cod is usually found at depths of up to 1200 feet. They prefer rough bottoms of sand, rock, or shells and most are caught using live or dead baits, such as clams, squid, small bait fish, crabs, and eels. Lures such as diamond jigs, spinners, and shiny metal squids can also be used with success. The best method of fishing for Atlantic cod is setting the bait on the bottom and allowing the boat to drift.
Regulations:
- See www.nero.noaa.gov/sustainable/recfishing/regs for updated government regulations
Pollack
Pollock are referred to as a midwater fish and are typically found at depths of up to 600 feet. However, northeast Pollock can be found anywhere from 300 feet to 20 feet, making their presence in the Long Island Sound possible. They can also sometimes be found schooling near the surface. Pollock tend to eat small fish and can be successfully caught with a variety of bait and lures that resemble what they typically eat.
Regulations:
- See www.nero.noaa.gov/sustainable/recfishing/regs for updated government regulations
Haddock
Regulations:
- See www.nero.noaa.gov/sustainable/recfishing/regs for updated government regulations
Blue Crab
Regulations:
- Minimum shell width (spike tip to spike tip) 5 inches for hard shell crabs
- Minimum shell width (spike tip to spike tip) 3.5 inches for soft shell crabs
- No daily limit
- Open season May 1st to November 30th
