LivewellConnecticut · River
Housatonic River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Housatonic River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Connecticut also has statewide guidance
Connecticut publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 2 recommendations covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Housatonic River below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Housatonic River
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Housatonic River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Connecticut's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 9" min | 5 | Year-round | 04-11 – 02-28 |
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 26" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 18" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Connecticut — Connecticut DEEP
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.3 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.2 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.