Photo: Lawrence Frank
Area Fishing
Fairfield County and the immediate region holds a number of great fishing opportunities. Scroll down or click on the quick links below to learn more about a specific water body, view flow rates and tide charts and access maps and parking directions to these popular fishing destinations.
Mianus River
Starting with the headwaters in Westchester County New York, the Mianus River winds its way through Stamford and Greenwich. The most popular place to fish is in the Mianus River Park, which is designated as a Trout Management Area. The 200-acre park offers scenic fishing with catch-and-release regulations in place from Sept. 1 through Opening Day.
Norwalk River
The Norwalk River flows through the towns of Ridgefield, Redding, Wilton and Norwalk, offering trout fishing over more than 15 miles of public water. A small stream, the Norwalk requires short rods and a delicate presentation of the fly. Thanks to the efforts of the Mianus Chapter, the Norwalk River holds a small but stable population of wildly spawning brown trout.
Saugatuck River
The Saugatuck River includes an extensive watershed which encompasses the West Branch and main stem of the Saugatuck, as well as the Aspetuck River and other minor tributaries. A Fly Fishing Only Trout Management Area is located at the convergence of the three branches along Ford Road in Westport.
Mill River
The Mill River runs through Easton and Fairfield and has two distinct Trout Management Areas which are open year-round. The upper Wild Trout Management Area in Easton is open to catch and release fishing only, with a single, barbless hook and artificial lures only. The lower Trout Management area is open to catch-and-release fishing with artificial lures or flies from Sept. 1 through the third Saturday in April.
Farmington River
The crown jewel of trout fishing in Connecticut, the West Branch of the Farmington River flows from the base of a 200-foot dam, providing a consistent flow of 50-degree water. The optimal temperatures, careful river management and plentiful insect life provide for a blue ribbon trout stream with the chance at a trophy.
As part of the Housatonic River watershed, the Naugatuck River historically hosted the southernmost Atlantic salmon migrations. With the introduction of industry along the banks of the river beginning in the 18th century and heavy reliance upon the stream for industrial and commercial purposes, the salmon migration disappeared. However, the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection stocks surpluse Atlantic salmon from the Connecticut River restoration effort in the Naugatuck River each fall. Additionally, the DEEP also stocks several trout species, including native brook trout, rainbow trout, and sea-run brown trout.
Long Island Sound
A recovering water body for several decades, Long Island Sound now offers plentiful supplies of striped bass, bluefish and other saltwater game fish. In the fall, pelagic species such as bonito and false albacore also migrate through the Sound. Plenty of public access to wade fishing the Sound is available for angler.