If you want to take your fishing experiences to the next level, this article is for you. We’ll help you discover the best fish to catch while you’re in Connecticut. We’ll also give you a few pro-angling tips! So, read on to learn the 5 best fish to catch in Connecticut this summer.
1. Striped Bass
Some of the common names for the striped bass include rockfish, striper bass, and plain striper. This bass has been recognized along the eastern coast of North America as a sports fish for quite a while. It first entered the scene in the 1800s, and anglers have been targeting striped bass since. It’s on our list of the best fish to catch in Connecticut this summer because you’ll easily find many! Striped bass have unique colors. You’ll find these fish to be a dark olive green color and sometimes black. Their sides have fading silver colors, and their bellies are white. Their name comes from the stripes running horizontally along their sides. Diet and environment greatly affect how large striped bass can get. In the Connecticut river, striped bass reached trophy sizes by eating blue herring. Saltwater anglers have even caught striped bass that break the hundred-pound mark. The average size for striped bass will be between 10 to 20 pounds. Since these are schooling fish, it’s easy to find many of them at once. Bass schools will feed at the surface, making it easy for anglers to get all the catches they want.
2. White Perch
A few common names for white perch include little white bass, narrow-mouthed bass, and silver perch. The white perch is a relative of striped bass and giant sea basses. Compared to yellow perch, you’ll find these fish to have a chunky body shape. Their colorations can vary from silver green to olive. White perch usually have a white belly, no bands, and two dorsal fins. The dorsal fins are connected. On average, white perch in Connecticut weigh between 1 to 2 pounds. They’re usually 8 to 10 in long, and their size depends on their environment. Even though they can thrive in freshwater, some bigger sizes come from brackish waters. One of the reasons white perch is on our list of the best fish to catch in Connecticut this summer has to do with their behavior. Anglers understand how perch live and act, making it easier to target them. For instance, unlike walleye, these fish aren’t light sensitive. That means night fishing isn’t going to be the best approach. Instead, you should target white perch as the sun breaks.
3. Brown Trout
Some of the common names for brown trout include german trout, English brown trout, and European brown trout. Brown trout have long sleek bodies and a non-forked tail. They have large mouths, with the males having the biggest ones. You’ll find that brown trouts can reach trophy sizes. On average, they can weigh between 1 to 2 pounds, but trophy sizes can easily reach over 30 lb. Brown trout are native to Europe; they thrive in Connecticut waters. Spawning happens in late autumn and early winter. That means you’ll have the best luck catching these fish during the summertime, just before the spawning begins. Brown trout are famous for their carnivorous feeding habits. Natives will forge above and below the water for mayflies, stone flies, and other bugs. They’re also nocturnal feeders. You’ll want to fish after dark to catch the biggest and largest brown trout in Connecticut. Just get ready for a challenge! Anglers say that brown trout are the wiliest of the stream trout. These fish are cautious and clever and know how to stay concealed. Many anglers believe their high intelligence comes from centuries of escaping anglers and European waters.
4. Brookie
Common names for brook trout include speckled trout, squaretail, and brookie. Brook trout are native to North America and are admired for their gorgeous body. They have an elongated trout-like shape with a large head. The fin is slightly forked, giving these fish a square tail. The beauty comes from their remarkable color patterns. The color patterns have a tropical palette, mixing yellow, green, orange, and brown colors. Typical stream brookies aren’t known for reaching great sizes, but they can be fun to catch. This species made our list of the best fish to catch in Connecticut this summer because they are active. Spawning occurs in late summer or early autumn. Since brookies are carnivorous, they’ll feed on almost anything that moves. Worms, leeches, mayflies, crustaceans, spiders, and snails are all on the daily meals they eat. They also eat other fish such as minnows and even young trout! Fly fishermen, bait anglers, and spin fishermen will all have a lot of fun catching brook trout. Use light lines and small spinning lures if you’re fishing a small stream.
5. Atlantic Salmon
Last on our list of the best fish to catch in Connecticut this summer is the Atlantic salmon. Atlantic salmon nicknames include black salmon, fiddler, and sebago salmon. You can think of the Atlantic salmon as the aristocrat of North American game fish. It used to be pursued by wealthy anglers who could afford to travel to the remote locations the salmon’s thriving. Atlantic salmon have long slender bodies and closely resemble trout. Their backs are usually black, blue, or brown, and their bellies have a white or silvery color. Landlocked salmon are usually smaller than their saltwater counterparts. In lakes, Atlantic salmon tend to be between 2 to 4 pounds, and in salt water, they can reach 35 lb or larger! For the best of luck, you’ll want to use baitfish imitations. Fish imitations work great when salmon are feeding in the shallows. You’ll find that these fish are spectacular fighters!
