A whopping 21.3-pound white catfish caught in Connecticut last month is a state record and could also be a world record for the species. The whopper of a fish was snagged by Tolland County resident Ben Tomkunas who shattered the former record of 12.75 pounds, said the Connecticut Fish and Wildlife Department.
Where is the best bass fishing in Connecticut?
- 1) Candlewood Lake.
- 2) Lake Lillinonah.
- 3) Connecticut River.
- 4) Highland Lake.
- 5) Lake Waramaug.
Is Candlewood Lake good fishing?
Candlewood Lake is one of Connecticut’s best and most important fishery resources. The lake provides excellent fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout rainbow trout, and various panfish species. As a result, it is one of the most popular lakes among tournament bass anglers.
Can you fish at Candlewood Lake CT?
Types of fish to catch Candlewood is famous for its population of smallmouth and largemouth bass. However, anglers can catch crappie, perch, trout, carp, catfish, and rock bass. Stop by Candlewood Bait and Tackle to stock up on everything you need.
Where is the best freshwater fishing in Connecticut?
- Quinnipiac River (South Meriden)
- Connecticut River (Middletown to Hartford)
- Lake McDonough (Barkhamsted)
- Squantz Pond State Park (New Fairfield)
- Satan’s Kingdom (New Hartford)
- Stratton Brook State Park (Simsbury)
Do you need a fishing license for Candlewood Lake?
Fishing in CT waters requires a valid CT fishing license Candlewood Lake is well known for its great fishing, none more so than fishing for smallmouth bass.
Where can I fish on Candlewood Lake?
- © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap. Lake Candlewood. Connecticut,
- Squantz Cove. Connecticut, United States.
- Squantz Pond. Connecticut, United States.
- Mann Brook. Connecticut, United States.
- Ball Pond Brook. Connecticut,
- Forest Lake. Connecticut,
- Short Woods Brook. Connecticut,
- Disbrow Pond. Connecticut,
What animals are in Candlewood Lake?
Known as a smallmouth bass haven, Candlewood Lake is also home to walleye, trout, crappie, perch, sunfish, catfish, chain pickerel and largemouth bass. Not only is Candlewood the largest lake in Connecticut, it is considered by most anglers to be the best fishery in the state, at Danbury.
What is the biggest fish ever caught in Connecticut?
- State Record Lake Trout 29 lbs 13 oz.
- State Record Largemouth Bass 12 lbs 11 oz.
- State Record Northern Pike 29.0 lbs (2020)
- State Record Northern Pike 29.0 lbs (1980)
- State Record Rainbow Trout 14 lbs 10 oz.
- State Record Rock Bass 1 lb 3 oz.
- State Record Tiger Trout 7 lbs 14 oz.
Are there sturgeon in CT?
There are two native species of sturgeon in Connecticut, but only the shortnose sturgeon is thought to currently spawn in the state. Both species spawn in the spring in high-velocity waters, typically beneath the first major change in elevation of their home river.
Where do the biggest bass live?
- Lake Fork. Lake Fork is the most known lake in Texas, and for a good reason.
- Lake Okeechobee. The Big O is the most known big bass body of water and provides fishermen from around the world with a top-notch fishing experience throughout the year.
- Lake Toho.
What do Bass Eat in Connecticut?
They will eat dry pellets, but need at least some live or fresh food to thrive. Largemouth bass typically stay in the center of the water column and will chase (or eat) smaller fishes.
Does Connecticut have good fishing?
Connecticut is fortunate to have over 180 public lakes and ponds and thousands of miles of rivers and streams teeming with a variety of gamefish and panfish. Anglers from all over the country come to Connecticut to fish for prized trout in the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers.
Can you fish in ct without a license?
In Connecticut, a fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older for fishing, both inland and on marine waters, whether fishing from the shore or a boat. Those exempt from needed a Connecticut fishing license are the legally blind and mentally disabled, and angler with the loss of a limb or use of a limb.
Is Candlewood Lake free?
Candlewood Lake Town Park: This park in Danbury charges a daily fee for non-residents, but its 11 acres are ADA-accessible. Grab a bite at the snack bar, have a picnic at tables or benches with a scenic view of the lake, and let kids run off some steam at the playground.
Do you need a fishing license in ct if you are over 65?
A fishing license is required for anyone age 16 or older.
Do Minks live in CT?
A mink farm once operated in the town, which may have increased the local population, but American minks are common in Connecticut. They are not often seen, however, because they favor thick marshland and are usually active after dark.
What is the largest largemouth bass on record?
Official Largemouth World Record: George Perry’s Undefeated Bass. On June 2nd, 1932, George Perry caught the current world record bass out of Lake Montgomery, an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River in southern Georgia. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces.
What’s the biggest catfish caught in Connecticut?
Tomkunas claimed he caught a 21.3-pound white catfish from a friend’s dock late on Aug. 21. The weight of the 38-inch-long fish would have crushed the state record of 12.7 pounds and was a contender for the world record, which stands at 19 pounds, 5 ounces.
Where can I catch Bowfin in CT?
The only known populations in Connecticut are in Scoville Reservoir (Wolcott) and the Connecticut River, where they can be locally common in abundance.
How many sturgeons are in the Connecticut River?
Although the Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon population is small (estimated at fewer than 1,600 individuals), it appears relatively stable and may have increased over the past 30 years. Sturgeons are very long-lived (max. age over 60 years), slow-growing fishes, and depleted populations are slow to recover.
How big is an Atlantic sturgeon?
The Atlantic sturgeon is a large fish that can reach a length of 14 feet (4.3 meters), a weight of over 800 pounds (363 kilograms), and possess strength to leap nine feet (2.7 meters) into the air.
How old is a 10lb bass?
In a Florida study, 822 trophy bass (10 pounds and up) given to taxidermists showed a mean age of 9.7 years. That’s a growth rate of about a pound a year.
What is the best largemouth bass bait?
What is the best bait for largemouth bass? In terms of live bait, fish (like shiners, minnows, or shad) and crawfish work very well since these are what bass usually eat. Because largemouth bass are carnivorous, the best artificial baits tend to be those that mimic their prey in some way.
Do bass return to where they were caught?
After the weigh-in, the bass are released into the surrounding waters, usually in an area of the lake far from where they were originally caught. Thus, catch-and-release tournaments have the potential to displace fish outside of their known home ranges.