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Connecticut · Fishing
East Haddam sits in the Connecticut River Valley where a handful of quiet ponds and lakes give anglers a low-pressure alternative to the busier waters elsewhere in the state.
7 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 7 spots
East Haddam sits in the Connecticut River Valley where a handful of quiet ponds and lakes give anglers a low-pressure alternative to the busier waters elsewhere in the state. The fishing here is almost entirely still-water: Bashan Lake is the largest and most accessible option, drawing both shore anglers and small-boat fishermen, while Hedlund Pond, Martin Pond, Cone Pond, and Chapman Pond offer smaller, more secluded settings that reward a bit of extra effort to reach. Fish & Game Dam No 1 rounds out the list with the kind of impounded water that tends to hold fish year-round. Largemouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel are the species you're most likely to encounter across these lake and pond fisheries — Connecticut DEEP stocks many inland waters with trout in spring, so early-season visits to these ponds can be productive before water temperatures climb. None of the waters listed here carry a gold-medal or wild-trout designation, so manage expectations accordingly and focus on the variety rather than trophy hunting. A basic Connecticut fishing license covers all of these spots, and most are reachable without a trailer-sized boat — a kayak or canoe opens up the smaller ponds considerably.
Shore fishing is viable at several spots, particularly Bashan Lake and Fish & Game Dam No 1, where there is enough accessible bank to work a line without a boat. For the smaller ponds like Hedlund, Martin, Cone, and Chapman, a kayak or canoe gives you a real advantage since shoreline access can be limited by vegetation and private property.
Largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and yellow perch are the bread-and-butter species across these lake and pond fisheries. Connecticut DEEP typically stocks trout in spring, so rainbow or brown trout are a reasonable target from late March through May before the water warms too much.
Bashan Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Martin Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Hedlund Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Cone Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Chapman Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Fish & Game Dam No 1
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Chapman Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Ed Bills Pond
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Deuses Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Cedar Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Lyons Meadow Pond
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Cedar Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Early morning is consistently the most productive window, especially for bass and pickerel, which tend to feed aggressively in low light before retreating to deeper or shadier water as the day heats up. Evening can be equally good in summer when surface temperatures drop and fish move back into the shallows.
A standard Connecticut inland fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. Specific regulations — including any size or bag limits for individual ponds — are set by Connecticut DEEP and can change seasonally, so check the current DEEP Fishing Guide before your trip rather than relying on secondhand information.
Yes, the smaller ponds like Martin and Cone are well-suited to beginners because they are compact, relatively easy to read, and hold panfish species that bite reliably. Bashan Lake offers more variety and enough room that experienced anglers won't feel cramped, making it a reasonable choice if your group has mixed skill levels.
