It’s a fishing day

Housatonic River fishing conditions · Connecticut

Tonight 6 pm to tomorrow 7 pmRainbow trout

The bite peaks at 68.

Log a trip here
Right now: 63 for rainbow trout, marginalTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 634 pm
  2. 60
  3. 63
  4. 637 pm
  5. 68
  6. 68
  7. 6810 pm
  8. 65
  9. 68Sun
  10. 681 am
  11. 68
  12. 68
  13. 684 am
  14. 68
  15. 68
  16. 687 am
  17. 68
  18. 68
  19. 6810 am
  20. 68
  21. 68
  22. 681 pm
  23. 68
  24. 68
  25. 684 pm
  26. 68
  27. 68
  28. 607 pm
  29. 60
  30. 68
  31. 6810 pm
  32. 68
  33. 68Mon
  34. 681 am
  35. 68
  36. 68
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Rainbow trout range 45–68°

Wind
8 mph

From the northwest

Light
Daylight

Sunset 4:41 pm

Sky
Chance Rain Showers

29% chance of rain

Air
55°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Rising

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Connecticut regulations for these waters.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 7 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Route 112 bridge (Falls Village) to the Route 4 bridge (Cornwall Bridge): trout catch and release all year; fly fishing only in the 3 miles above the Route 4 bridge. Waters near posted tributary mouths close to all fishing Jun 15–Sep 15. Trout and salmon stamp required to fish.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Housatonic River Trout Management Area

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–May, Oct–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 7 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Route 112 bridge (Falls Village) to the Route 4 bridge (Cornwall Bridge): trout catch and release all year; fly fishing only in the 3 miles above the Route 4 bridge. Waters near posted tributary mouths close to all fishing Jun 15–Sep 15. Trout and salmon stamp required to fish.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Housatonic River Trout Management Area

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Aug–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer29.75 inHg, rising

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:41 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:34 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:10 pm–4:10 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 9:50 pm–11:50 pm
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:40 am–6:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Connecticut DEEP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A big, freestone northwest-Connecticut river with a famous catch-and-release Trout Management Area holding wild and holdover browns and rainbows, plus a strong smallmouth bass fishery in the warmer lower reaches. Waded and drifted through scenic valley.

CT: the Trout Management Area from Falls Village to Cornwall Bridge is catch and release for trout all year, fly fishing only in the 3 miles above the Route 4 bridge. Summer water can warm — fish early.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Farmington River20 mi · ConnecticutBest now until 8 pm
100Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Housatonic River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Housatonic River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Housatonic River?

Housatonic River is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Housatonic River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Housatonic River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Housatonic River have?

Housatonic River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. CT: the Trout Management Area from Falls Village to Cornwall Bridge is catch and release for trout all year, fly fishing only in the 3 miles above the Route 4 bridge. Summer water can warm — fish early.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Housatonic River?

state agency regulations apply at Housatonic River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Housatonic River tidal water?

No. Housatonic River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.