Housatonic River

River Map

About Housatonic River

The Housatonic below Falls Village Dam is Connecticut's pre-eminent tailwater for large wild brown trout, a river where reputation is earned the hard way against educated fish in clear, cold water. The fly-only TMA corridor through Falls Village and Cornwall offers deep glacial pools, technical seams, and selective browns that test even experienced anglers. Consistent cold releases from the dam keep the fishery productive well into August while most of New England bakes.

Regulations

CFS alone does not indicate fishability — check dam release schedules. TMA extends from Routes 112/7 bridge (Salisbury/Canaan) downstream to Routes 4/7 bridge (Cornwall/Sharon). Fly fishing only in the 3-mile section upstream of the Route 4 bridge; that section is catch-and-release only year-round. Trout & Salmon Stamp required. Year-round season within the TMA.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Housatonic River with more confidence.

• Connecticut Fishing Regulations for Fly Anglers

  CT inland fishing license, the separate Trout & Salmon Stamp required for TMA fishing, the second Saturday in April general opener, year-round access…

• Trout Species of Connecticut

  CT's wild brown trout — the Farmington TMA, the Housatonic Falls Village fly-only stretch, the Salmon River, the Cole Wilde TMA on the Willimantic —…

• How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)

  That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…