Local Fishing
Popular catches around West Haven, New Haven, Branford & Milford — plus live tides.
Live data from NOAA
In season nowAlso called Striper
The signature catch of Long Island Sound. Stripers run the shoreline spring and fall, feeding hard around tide changes near rocks, reefs, and river mouths.
Bait & methods
Live eels, bunker (menhaden), clams, and chunk baits; bucktails and swimming plugs on moving water.
In season nowAlso called Blues
Hard-fighting, toothy, and aggressive. Blues blitz bait schools through summer and early fall — when they’re feeding, the water boils.
Bait & methods
Cut bunker, metal lures, and poppers. Use wire or heavy leader — those teeth are no joke.
In season nowAlso called Summer Flounder
A prized flatfish that ambushes prey from sandy and muddy bottoms. Drift sandy channels and drop-offs as the water warms.
Bait & methods
Drifting squid-and-spearing combos, Gulp baits, and bucktails tipped with bait along the bottom.
In season nowAlso called Porgy
Abundant, scrappy, and great for getting kids on fish. Schools stack up over reefs and rocky bottom through the warm months.
Bait & methods
Small hooks with clam, squid, or sea worms on a high-low bottom rig.
In season nowA hard-pulling reef fish and one of the best eating in the Sound. Holds on wrecks, reefs, and rock piles in the warmer months.
Bait & methods
Squid, clam, and Gulp on a bottom rig; jigs over structure.
In season nowAlso called Sea Trout
A beautiful, soft-mouthed predator that prowls sandy flats and channel edges at dusk. Runs vary year to year — a treat when they show.
Bait & methods
Soft plastics, bucktails, and sandworms worked slowly near the bottom.
Also called Tautog
A structure-loving bottom fish with a stubborn fight and excellent table fare. Found tight to rocks, wrecks, and jetties spring and fall.
Bait & methods
Green crabs and Asian crabs fished right on the structure with a snug bottom rig.
Also called Blackback
A cold-water flatfish active when most others have left. Look to estuaries, coves, and harbor bottoms in early spring and late fall.
Bait & methods
Sea worms and clam on small hooks fished still on the bottom.
Size and bag limits change every season. Always check the current Connecticut DEEP regulations before keeping fish.
View current CT DEEP saltwater regulations →