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Branford River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Connecticut, United States

5.0·359 catches

Top fish species at Branford River

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Branford River fishing reports

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Summer flounder

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Piked dogfish

length · weight

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Scup

length · weight

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Blue crab

length · weight

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Blue crab

length · weight

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General info

Branford River is a stream located in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Black sea bass, and Bluefish.

Location

41°17′56.3″N 72°47′9.7″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Branford River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Branford River. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Branford River, CT

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Connecticut can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryConnecticut State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size28" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size31" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
Recreational harvest is permitted year round. Any striped bass less than 28-inches or greater than or equal to 31-inches shall, without avoidable injury, be returned immediately to the water from which taken. You must use an inline circle hook while using bait to fish for striped bass. For more information, see Striped Bass and Circle HooksStriped bass may only be taken by angling. No spearing or gaffing striped bass!No person shall land or possess on the waters of this state or on any parcel of land, structure, or portion of a roadway abutting tidal waters of this state any striped bass from which the head or tail has been removed or which has otherwise been rendered unidentifiable as a striped bass or unable to be measured.
Synonyms
Morone saxatilis
Season open: May 16 - November 25
Black sea bass

Black sea bass

Regulation boundaryConnecticut State Waters
Bag limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size15.5" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
2026 Recreational Black Sea Bass Regulations (Private Angler)Minimum Length: 15.5 inches (excluding tail fin filament).Daily Creel Limit: 4 fish.Open Season: May 16 – November 25.Party/Charter Vessel Regulations (Paying Passengers)Minimum Length: 15.5 inches.Season: May 16 – December 31.Bag Limit (May 16 – August 31): 4 fish.Bag Limit (September 1 – December 31): 6 fish.Note: Daily logbook reporting is required for operators
Edibility
Excellent according to Adam L.
Synonyms
Centropristis striata
Season open: year-round
Bluefish

Bluefish

Regulation boundaryConnecticut State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Additional information
No minimum size limit. Open year round. Bag limit = 5 bluefish per angler on for paying passengers on a Party/Charter Vessel.Daily limit includes "snapper blues" which are juvenile bluefish.
Edibility
Good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Bluefish by DMFD
Synonyms
Pomatomus saltatrix
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Local laws and licenses

Connecticut fishing license

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Reviews of Branford River

5.0
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2 ratings

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Cities nearby

Branford

1.2 miles away

Branford Center

2.1 miles away

East Haven

3.7 miles away

North Branford

4.6 miles away

Guilford

5.1 miles away

Guilford Center

5.8 miles away

Northford

6.6 miles away

North Haven

6.8 miles away

New Haven

7.2 miles away

Madison

8.7 miles away

West Haven

9.6 miles away

Hamden

9.7 miles away

Madison Center

9.7 miles away

Quinnipiac University

10.1 miles away

Wallingford Center

10.6 miles away

Wallingford

11.1 miles away

Woodmont

11.8 miles away

Orange

12.6 miles away

Clinton

13.3 miles away

Ansonia

15.0 miles away

Milford

15.2 miles away

Milford city

15.2 miles away

Cheshire Village

15.3 miles away

Derby

15.5 miles away

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FAQ about Branford River fishing

📍 Where is the Branford River located?
the Branford River is a stream located in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. Its coordinates are:
41°17′56.3″N 72°47′9.7″W
.
🎣 Where on the Branford River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Branford River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Branford River?
The most common species in the Branford River are:
  • Striped bass - 28 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Black sea bass - 9 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Bluefish - 10 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Branford River fishing reports?
The latest Branford River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Branford River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Branford River, some of the species in season this October include: Black sea bass, Tautog, Atlantic bluefin tuna, Scup, and Winter flounder. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Branford River?

Fishing in Connecticut requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident, non-resident, annual, and short-term, available online or at town offices and licensed vendors.

In Connecticut, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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