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Connecticut · Fishing
New Hartford, Connecticut sits in the Farmington River Valley, and while the river itself gets most of the regional attention, the town's still-water fishing is worth a dedicated trip.
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New Hartford, Connecticut sits in the Farmington River Valley, and while the river itself gets most of the regional attention, the town's still-water fishing is worth a dedicated trip. The four lakes and ponds within the city scope — Dezzain Pond, Collinsville Reservoir, Creevey Pond, and Cedar Swamp — each fish differently and draw different crowds. Dezzain Pond and Creevey Pond tend to be quieter, which matters if you're after early-morning calm. Collinsville Reservoir is the largest of the group and holds fish through the warmer months when smaller ponds can slow down. Cedar Swamp lives up to its name with darker, tannic water and the kind of weedy structure that largemouth bass use heavily in summer. None of these are trophy destinations in the certified sense, but they're productive, accessible, and rarely crowded on a weekday. Connecticut DEEP manages stocking schedules across the state, so checking their online stocking reports before you go is the single most useful thing you can do to time a visit. A basic freshwater license is required for anyone 16 and older, and you can purchase one through the DEEP website or at most local bait shops.
All four waters — Dezzain Pond, Collinsville Reservoir, Creevey Pond, and Cedar Swamp -- are classified as lake fishing sites, which in Connecticut typically means a mix of largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and panfish like bluegill and crappie. Cedar Swamp's weedy, darker water is particularly well-suited to largemouth. Connecticut DEEP periodically stocks trout in smaller ponds, so check their current stocking list to see if any of these waters are on the schedule before your trip.
Yes. Any angler 16 or older needs a valid Connecticut freshwater fishing license. You can buy one online through the DEEP eLicense portal or pick one up at local bait and tackle shops in the area. Licenses are annual and run from January 1 through December 31.
Northfield Brook Lake Group Shelters
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Creevey Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Dezzain Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Collinsville Reservoir
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Cedar Swamp
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Dunning Pond
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Lower Mills Pond
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Lower Mills Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Bond Pond
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Secret Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
hatchery
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Cooper Pond
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Early morning is consistently the most productive window, especially for bass and pickerel, which feed aggressively in low light before the surface warms. The hour before sunset is a close second. Midday fishing in summer can be slow on shallow ponds like Creevey and Dezzain, though Collinsville Reservoir holds cooler water longer and can fish reasonably well into late morning.
A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations across these four waters. For bass and pickerel, soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and weedless rigs work well around the vegetation at Cedar Swamp and Creevey Pond. If you're targeting panfish or stocked trout, a lighter ultralight setup with small jigs or live bait will serve you better. Bring polarized sunglasses -- reading the water structure at these ponds makes a real difference.
Bank fishing is possible at all four locations, though access points and shoreline clearance vary. Cedar Swamp in particular has dense vegetation that can limit where you can cast from shore. A kayak or small canoe opens up significantly more water at Collinsville Reservoir and Dezzain Pond, and is worth considering if you have one. Check current DEEP access maps before your visit, as parking and launch conditions can change seasonally.
