Map

Housatonic River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Connecticut, United States

4.5·3278 catches

Top fish species at Housatonic River

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Housatonic River

Housatonic River fishing reports

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Brown trout

23 in · 4 lb

Loading...

Largemouth bass

19 in · 4 lb

Loading...

Chain pickerel

length · weight

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Smallmouth bass

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Housatonic River is a stream located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is also intersecting with Fairfield County, Connecticut and Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Smallmouth bass, and Brown trout.

Location

41°48′19″N 73°23′39.9″W
Directions

Official website

rivers.gov

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Housatonic River?

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

Bite time image

Fishing regulations at Housatonic 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: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryConnecticut State Waters
Bag limit6

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 size12" (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.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
No minimum size requirement in rivers and streamsOpen year-round Legal Methods: angling, ice fishing
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

Connecticut fishing license

Get license

Reviews of Housatonic River

4.5
Loading...

32 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Cornwall Bridge

0.5 miles away

Cornwall

4.2 miles away

West Cornwall

4.4 miles away

Wassaic

8.5 miles away

New Preston

8.8 miles away

Bantam

9.6 miles away

Dover Plains

10.3 miles away

Falls Village

10.7 miles away

Lakeville

11.0 miles away

Millerton

11.9 miles away

Gaylordsville

12.2 miles away

Torrington

13.9 miles away

New Milford

14.0 miles away

Wingdale

14.7 miles away

Bethlehem Village

15.1 miles away

Millbrook

15.5 miles away

Canaan

16.2 miles away

Northwest Harwinton

16.3 miles away

Sherman

16.8 miles away

Lakeside Woods

17.9 miles away

Bridgewater

18.8 miles away

Winsted

18.8 miles away

Watertown

19.4 miles away

Sail Harbor

19.6 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Housatonic River fishing

📍 Where is the Housatonic River located?
the Housatonic River is a stream located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is also intersecting with Fairfield County, Connecticut and Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Its coordinates are:
41°48′19″N 73°23′39.9″W
.
🎣 Where on the Housatonic River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Housatonic 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 Housatonic River?
The most common species in the Housatonic River are:
📢 What are the latest Housatonic River fishing reports?
The latest Housatonic River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Housatonic River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Housatonic River, 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 the Housatonic 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.

Get license
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...