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Connecticut · Fishing
Killingworth, Connecticut is a quiet town for fishing, and that's largely the point. The six stillwater spots here — Killingworth Reservoir, Lake Hammonasset, Kroopa Pond, Fricks Pond, Frank Serafino Pond, and Ryans Pond — are all lake or
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View on mapFishing · 6 spots
Killingworth, Connecticut is a quiet town for fishing, and that's largely the point. The six stillwater spots here — Killingworth Reservoir, Lake Hammonasset, Kroopa Pond, Fricks Pond, Frank Serafino Pond, and Ryans Pond — are all lake or pond fisheries, meaning you're working calm water rather than chasing current. That suits anglers who prefer to set up along a bank or launch a small boat and work structure methodically. The ponds tend to be smaller and more intimate, good for targeting bass and panfish with light tackle, while Killingworth Reservoir and Lake Hammonasset offer more water to cover. Connecticut DEEP stocks many warmwater ponds in the state throughout spring and fall, so timing your visit around stocking schedules can make a real difference. None of these waters carry a gold-medal or wild-trout designation, so manage expectations accordingly — this is solid local fishing, not a destination trophy fishery. What it is, though, is accessible and uncrowded, with multiple options close together if one spot isn't producing.
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid Connecticut fishing license to fish any of these waters. Licenses are available through the Connecticut DEEP website or at authorized local vendors. Make sure to check whether any of the ponds require a separate inland or reservation permit, as some state-managed waters have additional access rules.
The lake and pond fisheries in Killingworth are typical of central Connecticut warmwater stillwater — largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and chain pickerel are the most common targets. Some ponds receive trout stocking from Connecticut DEEP in spring and fall, though none of these waters are designated wild-trout or gold-medal fisheries, so stocked fish are the main trout opportunity.
Ryans Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Kroopa Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Frank Serafino Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Killingworth Reservoir
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Lake Hammonasset
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Fricks Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Laurelwood Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Dudley Pond
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Shailer Pond
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Hackney Pond
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Cedar Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Horse Pond
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Light to medium spinning tackle covers most situations across Killingworth's ponds. For bass and pickerel, soft plastics, small spinnerbaits, and topwater lures work well around shoreline structure and weed edges. If you're targeting panfish or stocked trout, a simple bobber-and-worm rig or small inline spinner is hard to beat. A 6- to 7-foot medium-light rod with 8-12 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon handles the range of species you'll encounter.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows, especially for bass and pickerel during warmer months when fish push into shallower water to feed. Midday fishing in summer slows down as fish move deeper and become less active. In spring and fall, fish are more willing to feed throughout the day, making those seasons more forgiving for anglers who can't get out at dawn.
Access varies by water body. Smaller ponds like Kroopa, Fricks, Frank Serafino, and Ryans Pond may have limited or bank-only access, while Killingworth Reservoir and Lake Hammonasset have more room for small non-motorized watercraft. Before heading out, check with Connecticut DEEP or the managing authority for each specific water to confirm current launch access and any restrictions on motors.
