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Smith Cove

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Connecticut, United States

18 catches

Top fish species at Smith Cove

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Smith Cove fishing reports

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Northern kingcroaker

15 in · 1 lb

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Brook trout

10 in · 1 lb

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Rainbow trout

23 in · 4 lb

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Striped bass

16 in · 2 lb

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White perch

13 in · 2 lb

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Hickory shad

18 in · 3 lb

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General info

Smith Cove is a lake located in New London County, Connecticut, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Brook trout, and American eel.

Location

41°24′1.5″N 72°06′11.2″W
Directions

When are Striped Bass biting on Smith Cove?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Smith Cove. 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 Smith Cove, 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: year-round
American eel

American eel

Regulation boundaryConnecticut State Waters
Bag limit25

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" (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
Open year round. The taking of elver eel, glass eel and silver eel is prohibited. Eel Pots limited to 2 pots per person, personal use only. Legal Methods: Angling, Ice fishing, Bobbing, Bow and Arrow, Spearing. Spearing and bow and arrow use prohibited in streams or stream sections stocked with trout. Spearing prohibited in all lakes & ponds.
Edibility
May contain elevated mercury levels.
Synonyms
Anguilla rostrata
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Local laws and licenses

Connecticut fishing license

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Cities nearby

Gales Ferry

1.7 miles away

Waterford

3.2 miles away

Oxoboxo River

3.2 miles away

New London

3.5 miles away

Groton

4.7 miles away

Montville

5.2 miles away

Ledyard

5.2 miles away

Poquonock Bridge

6.2 miles away

Old Mystic

6.2 miles away

Niantic

7.0 miles away

Noank

7.1 miles away

East Lyme

7.2 miles away

Groton Long Point

7.7 miles away

Mashantucket

8.0 miles away

Mystic

8.3 miles away

Norwich

10.3 miles away

Stonington

10.5 miles away

Fishers Island

10.8 miles away

Pawcatuck

13.3 miles away

Watch Hill

14.4 miles away

Baltic

14.8 miles away

Jewett City

15.6 miles away

Griswold

15.8 miles away

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FAQ about Smith Cove fishing

📍 Where is Smith Cove located?
Smith Cove is a lake located in New London County, Connecticut, United States. Its coordinates are:
41°24′1.5″N 72°06′11.2″W
.
🎣 Where on Smith Cove is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Smith Cove 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 Smith Cove?
The most common species in Smith Cove are:
📢 What are the latest Smith Cove fishing reports?
The latest Smith Cove fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Smith Cove right now?
According to fishing regulations at Smith Cove, some of the species in season this November 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 Smith Cove?

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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