Connecticut
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), online via CT Sportsmen Licensing System, authorized agents (Walmart, bait shops, town halls).

Cost

Inland (freshwater) resident $32; marine (saltwater) resident $10; All-Waters resident $38 (combo). Non-resident inland $63, marine $15, all-waters $78. Trout/salmon stamp $5 (required to keep trout/salmon). Non-resident 1-day inland $22, 3-day $30.

Validity

Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31).

Available online?

Yes

Required age 16+. CT Marine Waters Fishing License satisfies federal NOAA registry. Residents 65+ free lifetime license. Free Fishing Day early June. Junior anglers 16–17 reduced inland $14. Enhanced Waterfowl/Trout stamps available as add-ons.

Closed seasons

Trout Management Areas: open year-round C&R. Stocked trout streams: open 2nd Saturday April (traditional opener). Striped bass: open year-round, 28–31" slot, 1/day. Tautog: April 10 – May 15 (3/day 16") + Oct 10 – Dec 6 (5/day). Black sea bass: May 19 – Dec 31.

Catch limits

Striped bass: 1/day 28–31" slot. Bluefish: 3/day (1/day from charter). Summer flounder: 4/day 19.5". Tautog: 3–5/day seasonal 16". Black sea bass: 5/day 16" (shore/private), 3/day charter. Trout: 5/day stocked, 2/day wild trout streams 9" min. Smallmouth/largemouth: 6/day combined 12".

Prohibited methods

Circle hooks mandatory for striped bass with natural bait. No chumming with bunker in certain harbors. Max 2 lines inland. No snagging game fish. No treble hooks in fly-fishing-only sections.

Catch & Release

Housatonic River TMA is year-round C&R artificial-only (world-class trophy browns). Farmington River TMA section C&R-only. Striper slot effectively mandates release of most fish.

Housatonic River 'Trophy Trout' section (artificial-only, C&R) is one of the top fly streams in Northeast. Long Island Sound is shared with NY — CT license valid to the state boundary. Candlewood Lake is private but public fishing via licensed boat launches. Trout stamp $5 small but required.

Best season

May–June (striper spring run Long Island Sound, shad on Connecticut River), September–October (fall blitz + tautog). Trout April–May post-stocking + October spawning runs.

Freshwater

2,100 lakes and ponds, 5,800 miles of streams. Farmington + Housatonic are premier trout waters. Candlewood + Bantam hold trophy smallmouth.

Saltwater

110 miles of Long Island Sound coast. Protected western Sound (Greenwich to New Haven) year-round stripers; eastern Sound (Niantic, Mystic) prime tautog + sea bass. Block Island Sound edge for offshore runs.

Equipment

UpCountry Sportfishing (New Hartford — world-famous fly shop for Farmington). Saltwater: Fisherman's World (Norwalk), Hillyer's (Clinton). Bass Pro Shops Bridgeport.

Fishing guides

$400–$650/day fly guide Farmington/Housatonic; $600–$1,000 LIS striper charter Niantic/Westbrook; $800–$1,400 full-day offshore.

Transport

Bradley International (BDL) serves central/north CT (45 min to Farmington). NYC-area airports (LGA/JFK) 1.5 hrs to western CT. T.F. Green (PVD) 1 hr to eastern CT.

Safety

Long Island Sound has heavy commercial traffic + ferry lanes. Housatonic PCB advisory: do not keep trout downstream of Cornwall Bridge (C&R only). Tidal currents strong at Race/Plum Gut.

License fees

$32 inland / $10 marine / $38 all-waters resident; $63/$15/$78 non-resident

Guide prices

$400–$1,400/day

Daily budget

DIY Long Island Sound surf: $50–$70/day. Half-day striper charter: $550–$800. Full-day fly trip Housatonic: $500–$700.