When is walleye season in Connecticut?

Connecticut keeps walleye 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 walleye?

The Connecticut daily bag limit for walleye is 2 / day per angler. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye can you keep in Connecticut?

The Connecticut size rule for walleye is 18 in min statewide. Trophy rule: State record 15 lb 4 oz (Beach Pond, Voluntown, Vincent Deledda, 2015).

Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Connecticut?

Yes. In Connecticut, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Angling + ice fishing; jigs + live bait + crankbaits are the standard walleye methods; CT inland Sport Fishing Licence required; No statewide closed season — walleye are open year-round including the hard-water ice fishery.

Do specific Connecticut waters have different walleye rules?

Yes. 6 named Connecticut waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Candlewood Lake, Beach Pond, Coventry Lake (Wangumbaug), and 3 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Connecticut Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Sander vitreus

Last updated June 3, 2026

Walleye are a DEEP Inland Fisheries-stocked sportfish in Connecticut, maintained through fingerling stockings in a set of designated 'Walleye Lakes': Candlewood Lake (5,420 acres — the largest lake wholly in CT, the flagship walleye water), Beach Pond (Voluntown), Coventry Lake (Wangumbaug), Gardner Lake, Batterson Park Pond, Cedar Lake, and Long Pond. The Connecticut River and the Housatonic impoundments (Lillinonah, Zoar) hold additional walleye. The state record — 15 lb 4 oz — came from Beach Pond in 2015 (Vincent Deledda). Connecticut's rule is uniform and simple: an 18-inch minimum and a 2-fish daily creel, open year-round (including the ice-fishing season), on all waters — there are no water-specific walleye creel exceptions.

Compare walleye regulations across all states →

Get change alerts

Watch Connecticut Walleye and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide (incl. ice fishing); 18 in min; 2 / day on all waters (no per-water exceptions).

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 2 / day per angler
Possession: Same as daily bag

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in min statewide
Trophy rule: State record 15 lb 4 oz (Beach Pond, Voluntown, Vincent Deledda, 2015)

Gear restrictions

Angling + ice fishing; jigs + live bait + crankbaits are the standard walleye methods
CT inland Sport Fishing Licence required
No statewide closed season — walleye are open year-round including the hard-water ice fishery

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Connecticut waters:

Candlewood Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; CT's flagship Walleye Lake (largest lake wholly in CT)
Beach Pond
18 in min, 2 / day; Walleye Lake + state-record water (15 lb 4 oz, 2015)
Coventry Lake (Wangumbaug)
18 in min, 2 / day; designated Walleye Lake
Gardner Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; designated Walleye Lake
Batterson Park Pond
18 in min, 2 / day; designated Walleye Lake
Connecticut River
18 in min, 2 / day; non-tidal upper main stem walleye

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

Visit official Connecticut fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Walleye 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 walleye season in Connecticut?: Connecticut keeps walleye 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 walleye?: The Connecticut daily bag limit for walleye is 2 / day per angler. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye can you keep in Connecticut?: The Connecticut size rule for walleye is 18 in min statewide. Trophy rule: State record 15 lb 4 oz (Beach Pond, Voluntown, Vincent Deledda, 2015).
Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Connecticut?: Yes. Connecticut requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Connecticut?: Yes. In Connecticut, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Angling + ice fishing; jigs + live bait + crankbaits are the standard walleye methods; CT inland Sport Fishing Licence required; No statewide closed season — walleye are open year-round including the hard-water ice fishery.
Do specific Connecticut waters have different walleye rules?: Yes. 6 named Connecticut waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Candlewood Lake, Beach Pond, Coventry Lake (Wangumbaug), and 3 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

← Back to Connecticut regulations overview