When is channel catfish season in Connecticut?

Connecticut keeps channel catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Connecticut bag limit for channel catfish?

The Connecticut daily bag limit for channel catfish is 6 / day in aggregate (channel catfish + white catfish); 3 / day in aggregate on Community Fishing Waters. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size channel catfish can you keep in Connecticut?

The Connecticut size rule for channel catfish is No minimum length. Trophy rule: State record 29 lb 6 oz (Mashapaug Lake, Union, Appleton Barrows, 2004).

Do you need a license to fish for channel catfish in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires a valid fishing license to fish for channel catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Connecticut license — compare resident and non-resident Connecticut fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for channel catfish in Connecticut?

Yes. In Connecticut, channel catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Angling, ice fishing, or bobbing; cut bait + nightcrawlers + prepared baits are standard; CT inland Sport Fishing Licence required; Community Fishing Waters: reduced 3 / day aggregate catfish creel to support high-use family fisheries; Bullhead catfish carry no creel limit.

Do specific Connecticut waters have different channel catfish rules?

Yes. 4 named Connecticut waters carry rules that override the statewide channel catfish regulation, including Mashapaug Lake, Connecticut River, Lake Lillinonah, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Connecticut Channel catfish 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Ictalurus punctatus

Last updated June 3, 2026

Channel catfish are among Connecticut's largest readily-caught freshwater fish, present in the Connecticut River, the Housatonic impoundments (Lillinonah, Zoar, Candlewood), and a range of lakes and ponds — and stocked by DEEP into urban Community Fishing Waters to broaden access. Mashapaug Lake (Union) produced the state record of 29 lb 6 oz in 2004 (Appleton Barrows). Connecticut sets no minimum length and a 6-fish daily creel taken in aggregate across channel catfish and white catfish (bullheads are unrestricted); the creel drops to 3 fish in aggregate on designated Community Fishing Waters, where stocked catfish support high-use family fisheries. The season is open year-round, by angling, ice fishing, or bobbing.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round; no minimum length; 6 / day in aggregate (channel + white catfish); 3 / day in aggregate on Community Fishing Waters.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 6 / day in aggregate (channel catfish + white catfish); 3 / day in aggregate on Community Fishing Waters
Possession: Same as daily bag

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No minimum length
Trophy rule: State record 29 lb 6 oz (Mashapaug Lake, Union, Appleton Barrows, 2004)

Gear restrictions

Angling, ice fishing, or bobbing; cut bait + nightcrawlers + prepared baits are standard
CT inland Sport Fishing Licence required
Community Fishing Waters: reduced 3 / day aggregate catfish creel to support high-use family fisheries
Bullhead catfish carry no creel limit

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Connecticut waters:

Mashapaug Lake
No min, 6 / day aggregate; state-record channel catfish water (29 lb 6 oz, 2004)
Connecticut River
No min, 6 / day aggregate (channel + white catfish)
Lake Lillinonah
No min, 6 / day aggregate; Housatonic impoundment channel catfish + carp
Connecticut Community Fishing Waters
Reduced 3 / day aggregate catfish creel; DEEP-stocked urban access ponds

Official source

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions publishes the authoritative 2026 Connecticutfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The channel catfish rules on this page are sourced from Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions's official channel catfish regulation page.

Visit official Connecticut fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Channel catfish closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's emergency-order feed — check it before any Connecticut trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is channel catfish season in Connecticut?: Connecticut keeps channel catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Connecticut bag limit for channel catfish?: The Connecticut daily bag limit for channel catfish is 6 / day in aggregate (channel catfish + white catfish); 3 / day in aggregate on Community Fishing Waters. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size channel catfish can you keep in Connecticut?: The Connecticut size rule for channel catfish is No minimum length. Trophy rule: State record 29 lb 6 oz (Mashapaug Lake, Union, Appleton Barrows, 2004).
Do you need a license to fish for channel catfish in Connecticut?: Yes. Connecticut requires a valid fishing license to fish for channel catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Connecticut license — compare resident and non-resident Connecticut fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for channel catfish in Connecticut?: Yes. In Connecticut, channel catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Angling, ice fishing, or bobbing; cut bait + nightcrawlers + prepared baits are standard; CT inland Sport Fishing Licence required; Community Fishing Waters: reduced 3 / day aggregate catfish creel to support high-use family fisheries; Bullhead catfish carry no creel limit.
Do specific Connecticut waters have different channel catfish rules?: Yes. 4 named Connecticut waters carry rules that override the statewide channel catfish regulation, including Mashapaug Lake, Connecticut River, Lake Lillinonah, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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