Fishing
Go fishing in Connecticut
If you enjoy fishing, or just appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors, then we invite you to Be Our Guest on the designated areas of the watershed land. Our fishing permit gives you access to great freshwater fishing at the Saugatuck, West Pequonnock, and Far Mill reservoirs in Connecticut.
Fishing program & locations
When does Aquarion's fishing program start?
- Aquarion's fishing program begins the second Saturday of April
- The program ends on the last day of December
- During fishing season, you may fish daily (including holidays) from 6 a.m. until half an hour after sunset
Where can I go fishing?
Three Aquarion reservoirs are open for fishing by permit:
- The Saugatuck Reservoir, in Redding and Weston, Connecticut [download map]. At this reservoir, we offer a fishing dock accessible to wheelchair users, located in Weston at the intersection of Valley Forge and Davis Hill Roads.
- The Far Mill Reservoir, in Shelton, Connecticut [download map]
- The West Pequonnock Reservoir, in Monroe, Connecticut [download map]
Fishing licenses & permits
Do I need a license or permit?
- To fish, you must have a valid Connecticut State Fishing License and an Aquarion Water Company fishing permit
- The fishing permit is valid only for the year in which it is issued
- Fishing permits are not transferable
- To be on the Centennial Watershed State Forest land, you must have a valid permit issued by the Conservation Land Committee through Aquarion Water Company
Residents and non-residents
- Connecticut residents and non-residents, with a valid Connecticut State Fishing License, may purchase a daily or season Aquarion Water Company fishing permit
- Non-residents, with a valid 3-day non-resident fishing license, may only purchase a daily Aquarion Water Company fishing permit
Age requirements
- Anglers 16 years of age or older must have a valid Connecticut State Fishing License to apply for an Aquarion Water Company fishing permit
- Anglers 65 years of age or older are eligible for a lifetime Aquarion Water Company fishing permit
- Anglers under the age of 16 are not required to have an Aquarion Water Company fishing permit, if accompanied by an adult permit-holder
- Anglers under the age of 16 holding a CT YOUth Fishing Passport are eligible to receive a free Aquarion season permit at our Environmental Center Office at 714 Black Rock Rd., Easton, CT. With the CT YOUth Fishing Passport and Aquarion permit, youth may fish without an adult permit holder.
How much does an Aquarion Water Company fishing permit cost?
- Season permit fees are $30
- One-day permits fees are $10
- No charge for senior citizens, veterans, and individuals with physical disabilities
Where to get your fishing permit
Aquarion Water Company fishing permits are available to purchase at the following locations and retail establishments.
Bounty Hunters Custom Baits & Tackle
129 South Main St
Newtown, CT 06482
(475) 323-2151
Fishing rules & regulations
Gone fishing? Follow our simple rules to protect yourself and our region's water supply.
General rules for public access
- Swimming, wading, camping, alcoholic beverages, smoking, campfires, picnicking, littering, radios, motors and vendors are prohibited
- Vehicles of any kind, including all types of cycles, are prohibited
- Pets or horses are prohibited within Centennial Watershed State Forest
- Leave no trace: pack it in, pack it out
- No clearing or removing vegetation
Health & safety regulations
- Fishing is permitted only from the shoreline or designated docks
- Boating, flotation devices, and waders are prohibited
- Ice fishing is prohibited
- The introduction of alewives into the water is prohibited, in order to help us protect the public water supply from contamination
- Do not empty bait containers into the reservoir, in order to help us protect the public water supply from contamination
- Cleaning fish on the shoreline or elsewhere on the Conservation Lands property is prohibited
Report unauthorized use
If you choose to violate these guidelines, you may be subject to criminal penalties and your guest privileges will be revoked. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Aquarion Water Company law enforcement officers regularly patrol Centennial Watershed State Forest property to enforce State laws and regulations.
To report unauthorized use, please call Aquarion Water Company at (203) 445-7339 or CT DEEP Dispatch at (860) 424-3333.
Questions about Aquarion permits?
Talk to our Watershed & Environmental Management Office, located at
714 Black Rock Road (Rt. 58), Easton, CT 06612-1146, (203) 445-7339