MOUTH OF THE CONNECTICUT RIVER, CT

In a state known for a severe lack of public access for shore-bound anglers, the area around the mouth of the Connecticut River, on both the east and west sides, provides some very good opportunities for local anglers. While primarily an area to soak bait on the bottom, anglers rack up solid scores of striped bass, bluefish, fluke, winter flounder, scup, blackfish scup and more from all of the areas noted below.

Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch, Old Saybrook. This is a large boat launch facility with ample parking and includes an access pier for fishing. The Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch received an award from the State for providing excellent boating access. To help anglers reach Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch, some routes leading to this site are posted with the brown and white Long Island Sound Access sign. Fishing from the pier can be very good at times, especially in the spring as striped bass enter the river. Worms in the spring and chunked bunker or mackerel are tops as the season progresses for bass and blues; worms and squid produce all season long for flatfish.

Saybrook Point, Old Saybrook. Parking is available at the adjacent Fort Saybrook. This is a great spot all season long to soak chunks of mackerel or bunker on the bottom. My first-ever striped bass was taken from this stretch of shoreline after dark back in 1984. I have also taken many keeper fluke here over the years on sandworms and squid strips. A long-handled net is required to land fish from this elevated location. Large bluefish can be taken from this spot as well.

South Cove Causeway, Old Saybrook. One can enjoy exceptional views of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound from this site as well as land several different species of fish. This is a hotspot for snapper blues and fluke in the summer; bass and blues are taken here after dark. When I was younger, I spent many hours in the summer casting snapper poppers to tiny bluefish. My father and I often turned these baits into keeper fluke in the main river just outside the cove.

DEP Marine Headquarters, Old Lyme. Fishing can be had all along the boardwalk from the DEP site south under the railroad bridge to the mouth of the Lieutenant River. Large bluefish are known to prowl the eddies and rips that form around the railroad pylons. As this is an elevated boardwalk, a net will go a long way in assisting the landing of your catch.

Further information and directions for access on all of these spots and many others across the state; please visit the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide at www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/index.asp.