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.
Housatonic River
Flowing through beautiful Litchfield County in northwestern Connecticut the Housatonic River is one of the best rivers of the Eastern US for trout fly fishing. Comparable in size to many Western US rivers, the “Housy”, as it is known locally, flows through deposits of limestone that supports prolific hatches of numerous species of Caddis and Mayflies from early Spring through late Fall. The Housatonic River is best known for the excellent brown trout and rainbow trout fishing in two Trout Management Areas (TMA) managed as a Catch and Release fisheries.
Pootatuck River
The Pootatuck river in Newtown & Sandy Hook is a very productive tributary of the Housatonic River. Over the years CVTU has done numerous conservation projects on the Pootatuck and its tributary, Deep Brook. We continue to plan and manage restoration projects in collaboration with the Pootatuck Watershed Association. Fishing the Pootatuck can yeild some excellent results from its confluence with Deep Brook, through the town of Sandy Hook, and all the way down the gorge to the lake Lillanonah.
East Branch Croton River
The east branch of the Croton River flows out of East Branch Reservoir in Brewster NY. It is part of the Croton Watershed which is an important source of NYC water. The East Branch is a stocked stream but also has excellent holdover Brown and Rainbow Trout. The stream is the a classic pool, riffle, run configuration, with some large, deep pools that help maintain plenty of large holdover trout. Be sure to have a NY state fishing license if you fish this water.
Delaware River
The Delaware River system consists of three rivers, all world-class wild trout fisheries - The East Branch, West Branch, and the mainstem (at the confluence of east & west). Water temps on the West Branch stay cool throughout the summer due to the cold water release out of Cannonsville Reservoir. The rivers are also home to a diversity of bug life which leads to some of the finest dry fly fishing east of the Rockies. Nymph and streamer fishing are also very effective methods for trying to outsmart the local browns and rainbows. Be sure to have a NY state fishing license if you fish this water
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.
Naugatuck River
The Naugatcuk River follows Route 8 for most of its course, emptying into the Housatonic River near the Derby Dam. A large river with a relatively steep gradient in its upper stretches, the Naugatuck River has strong flows and deep pools which make it ideal habitat for trout and an excellent river to accommodate the state's annual stocking of broodstock Atlantic Salmon.
Pequonnock River
The Pequonnock is a jewel in the rough, a river with great potential that has only in the past few years received the care and attention it deserves, first with the purchase of the Pequonnock River State Park, then with the (still in progress) creation of a trail from Newtown to Bridgeport, and finally with the Pequonnock River Initiative which resulted in a Watershed Management Plan and more improvements. Rte. 25 and Rte. 8 run along most of the river’s course, yet there are many parks and open spaces, places where one can “get away from it all”.
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.