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Stonington Harbor

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Connecticut, United States

4.7·82 catches

Top fish species at Stonington Harbor

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Stonington Harbor fishing reports

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Scup

length · weight

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Tautog

length · weight

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Tautog

length · weight

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Tautog

length · weight

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length · weight

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Piked dogfish

25 in · 2 lb

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General info

Stonington Harbor is an inshore water located in New London County, Connecticut, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Black sea bass, and Scup.

Location

41°20′19.2″N 71°54′44″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Stonington Harbor?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Stonington Harbor. 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 Stonington Harbor, 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: May 1 - December 31
Scup

Scup

Regulation boundaryConnecticut State Waters
Bag limit30

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 size9.5" (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
Minimum size: 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)Private: May 1 – December 31: 30 scup per angler, Minimum size: 11 inchesParty/Charter Vessel Bonus Season (For paying passengers only):May 1 - August 31: 30 scup per angler, Minimum size: 11 inchesSeptember 1 - October 31: 40 scup per angler, Minimum size: 11 inchesNovember 1 - December 31: 30 scup per angler, Minimum size: 11 inches
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Stenotomus chrysops
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Local laws and licenses

Connecticut fishing license

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Reviews of Stonington Harbor

4.7
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7 ratings

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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Stonington

2.5 miles away

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9.3 miles away

New London

9.9 miles away

Gales Ferry

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Waterford

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Oxoboxo River

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Hope Valley

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FAQ about Stonington Harbor fishing

📍 Where is Stonington Harbor located?
Stonington Harbor is an inshore water located in New London County, Connecticut, United States. Its coordinates are:
41°20′19.2″N 71°54′44″W
.
🎣 Where on Stonington Harbor is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Stonington Harbor 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 Stonington Harbor?
The most common species in Stonington Harbor are:
  • Striped bass - 9 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Black sea bass - 7 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Scup - 8 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Stonington Harbor fishing reports?
The latest Stonington Harbor fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Stonington Harbor right now?
According to fishing regulations at Stonington Harbor, 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 Stonington Harbor?

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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