Lower Housatonic River (Derby to Milford)

Below the Derby Dam the Housatonic turns into a tidal river for its last stretch to Long Island Sound, running between Derby, Shelton, Stratford and Milford. It's a classic holdover striper river: schools of bass spend the winter here, so you can catch a striper on almost any day of the year.

When to fish

• Late fall to spring: holdover stripers move in between October and December and stay until spring. On The Water (2017) found them from the mouth to the Derby Dam by December.
• New rule for winter 2026-27: under Public Act 26-101, striped bass are catch and release only from December 1 to March 31 statewide. Breaking a striper rule is now an infraction with a fine.
• Late November: On The Water's western Sound captain starts at the river mouths and the first few miles upstream, then follows the bass upriver into deeper holes as the water cools. He stops fishing for holdovers after New Year's, because handling bass in freezing air hurts them.

Where to fish

• Bends, coves, eddies, channels and creek mouths: On The Water found that the big schools don't rely on rock piles or pilings; they gather wherever they can get out of the full current.
• The Derby Dam: DEEP lists popular shore access at both ends of the dam.
• Points, eddies and drop-offs: larger fish use these as ambush spots.

How to fish it

Most holdovers run 10 to 20 inches, with some larger fish mixed in. Jigging is the go-to method: cast a soft plastic on a light jighead upcurrent, let it touch bottom and work it back slowly. In very cold water, slow everything down. Umbrella rigs, swimbaits and crankbaits help find schools, and jerkbaits worked around points pick off bigger fish. On The Water's anglers found the ebb tide most productive. A trolling motor lets you slip up on skittish schools. Handle and release fish quickly.

Getting there

DEEP lists shore access through town parks in Derby, Ansonia, Shelton, Stratford and Milford, plus both ends of the Derby Dam. On The Water (2017) listed the Sunnyside boat ramp in Shelton (trailer permit from the city) and a cartop launch at O'Sullivan's Island in Derby. Past PCB pollution means the state has a fish consumption advisory for the Housatonic; see the Department of Public Health advisory and the Connecticut Fishing Guide.