Fishing Lake Lillinonah

AKA: Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch

Popular Fish Species
Lake Lillinonah Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Lake Lillinonah, CT

Popular Fish Species Lake Lillinonah, CT

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Exciting smallmouth bass fishing is a favorite activity of many locals at Lake Lillinonah. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappie reside in decent numbers throughout Lake Lillinonah. Crappie fishing is often overlooked, as the bass fishing is the main draw here. Anglers focusing on crappie are doing well, once they locate a school. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of crappie.

Northern Pike Fishing

Thriving in the cool waters of Lake Lillinonah, northern pike are a very popular target for local anglers. A 29 pound northern pike was caught here, which is the current state record, and there are plenty of big pike swimming in these waters. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can be a big help.

Lake Lillinonah Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish,white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel and northern pike at Lake Lillinonah in Connecticut.

Spanning a section of the Housatonic River and the Shepaug River, Lake Lillinonah is a 1,900-acre lake in the northwest corner of the state, nearby Newtown. The vast majority of the 45 miles of shoreline are wooded with plenty of brush, timber and laydowns for fish to use as hiding places.

One of the most sought-after fish species in Lake Lillinonah is the trophy-sized smallmouth bass. Lake Lillinonah is also home to other popular fish species, including largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and various panfish species such as yellow perch and black crappie.

Bass, sunfish, chain pickerel and northern pike use these shallow banks in spring, summer and fall. In winter they join catfish and perch in varying depths of deeper water. Ice fishing is popular in winter. The Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch is open to the public and has over 50 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers. Due to the thick woods it is difficult to find places to fish from the bank, but one option is around the boat launch. Note, this lake is subject to algae blooms that can be harmful to the fish population and impact fishing success.

Fishing report

Primary fish species residing in Lake Lillinonah

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Lillinonah Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, northeast side, at the north end of the State Route 133 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Lillinonah - Pond Brook Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, southwest side, off Hanover Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.