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Lakes & Reservoirs

Candlewood Lake Fishing Guide

Connecticut

Connecticut's largest lake, a rocky tournament destination for smallmouth bass.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Candlewood Lake for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The best months overall are Mar to Oct. In October, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Ned Rig and Bass Jig are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Candlewood Bait and Tackle in Danbury, 5 mi away. Housatonic River is 25 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to Oct

In October

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Candlewood Lake Species

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Largemouth Bass

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  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Bass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Largemouth Bass

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  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.

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  • Bladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.

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  • Squarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Lipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.

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  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Largemouth Bass

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Candlewood Lake

Soft Plastics

Yamamoto Senko 5 in

The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.

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Crankbaits

Strike King KVD 1.5 Squarebill

A shallow squarebill that deflects off wood and rock.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Line

Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon

Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Candlewood Lake

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Connecticut · 25 mi

Housatonic River

A big Litchfield Hills river with trout in the cold reaches and smallmouth bass in summer.

Brown Trout · Smallmouth Bass

Rivers & Streams · Connecticut · 41 mi

Farmington River

A cold tailwater with a catch-and-release trout management area and wild brown trout.

Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Saltwater & Coast · Connecticut · 67 mi

Long Island Sound

Reefs and river mouths that hold stripers and bluefish all season and fall albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore