New Britain Reservoir, Connecticut: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  New Britain Reservoir is set in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut. Elevation runs to 564 feet. Start from Bristol, 4.5 miles down the road. Terryville is 5 miles away, with Collinsville at 5.5 miles. Also within reach: Lake Como at about 2 miles, Monce Pond roughly 2.2 miles, Lake Garda at about 2.5 miles, Bristol Reservoir Number Five roughly 2.9 miles and Old Marsh Pond at about 3 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on New Britain Reservoir

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Northwest Hills Planning Region records list bluegill, brown trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and black crappie among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On New Britain Reservoir the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 25°F to 71°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Climate figures give an open season running late March to late December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Plan around that when you fish New Britain Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. The water sits inside or beside a nature reserve, so expect extra rules. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Lake Como is 2 miles distant. Rules at New Britain Reservoir are worth checking on the day.