The Connecticut River

The Connecticut River is New England’s largest river ecosystem and one of the Nation’s first American Heritage Rivers. Its watershed encompasses over 11,000 square miles of wild, rural and urban lands in parts of four states – Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Connecticut River carves a sinuous, shimmering pathway south from Fourth Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border – past forested mountains and small hamlets, through rich farmlands and large cities – 410 miles later into Long Island Sound

Striped bass – Late April through mid June
Every spring, from late April till mid June, the CT river boils with huge striped bass. These stripers are here for one reason only…to eat. Each year with the return of the blue back herring and river alewife to their spawning areas, stripers make their way up the CT river in hot pursuit. They are aggressive, easily fooled and although they can be caught around the clock, the most exciting times are the hour before and after sunrise and sunset. It is not uncommon to catch a half dozen stripers over 20 pounds in an outing. These fish can be taken with light tackle or on the fly while anchored, drifting or trolling. The top producing lures are swimming plugs like the Revolution Shad and Bombers and large top waters such as Gibbs and Cotton Cordell. Soft plastic baits such as the Houdini Shad and Fin-S Fish are sure things on the river as well. These lures produce under all conditions and trigger strikes that will rip the rod from your hands if you are not ready. CT River Stripers, it doesn’t get much better!

Northern Pike – Year round
One of the best kept secrets in the CT river is it’s pike fishing. Until I was bitten by the saltwater bug, I fished exclusively for these monsters. The fish average in the mid 30 inch range and fish over 40 inches are NOT uncommon. Top lures are spoons, jerk baits and soft plastics. We will fish in 3 to 8 feet of water. Most of the strikes come within 20 feet of the boat and are incredibly exciting to see! In mid spring pike and stripers would make for an outstanding day-night double header!