Date: 2026-06-30
Quick Take: Striped bass fishing remains excellent across Connecticut’s coastal waters, with strong topwater action in Westbrook, Clinton, and the Western Sound. Bottom fishing for fluke, black sea bass, and porgy is improving in Middletown and Eastern Sound. Freshwater largemouth and smallmouth bass are active, with trout stocking supporting inland opportunities.
Best Bet This Week: Target striped bass in Westbrook using topwater spooks, big spoons, tubes, or live eels during early morning and evening. The presence of bunker and eels is fueling a strong bite.
What Fish Are Active: Striped bass, black sea bass, fluke, porgy, bluefish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, panfish, and stocked trout species are all active.
Where to Fish: Westbrook and Clinton for striped bass on topwater and live bait; Middletown islands for fluke, black sea bass, and scup bottom fishing; Long Island Sound for striped bass and bluefish on deep and shallow structure; Madison for freshwater bass and pickerel; Niantic for fluke and black sea bass. Specific marks in the reports include Middletown around The Race.
Freshwater Focus: Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active in Madison and Norwalk, with pickerel and panfish also plentiful. Trout stocking of brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout continues to enhance inland fishing, though trout are currently challenging.
How to Fish: Use topwater lures and live eels for striped bass in coastal areas during early morning and evening. Bottom fish with sandworms, clams, and squid for porgy and black sea bass around islands and reefs. Soft plastics and jigs are effective for freshwater bass.
Best Baits and Lures: Live eels and bunker for striped bass; sandworms, clams, and squid for porgy and black sea bass; soft plastics for largemouth and smallmouth bass; caddis pupae for trout in rivers.
Trend Watch: Striped bass fishing is peaking with many large fish holding in Western Sound and along the coast. Bottom fishing for fluke and scup is improving as water warms. Black sea bass action is picking up in Clinton and Westbrook but remains mixed elsewhere.
Regulation and Access Changes: Striped bass must be released if under 28 inches or 31 inches and above. Spawning refuge closures remain in effect within 100 feet of islands in Wyassup Lake to protect smallmouth bass. Stocking suspended in Skungamaug River until public use is restored.