Quillinan Reservoir, Connecticut: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Quillinan Reservoir lies in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. The surface lies 138 feet up. At 12 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The nearest place of any size is Ansonia, 0.6 miles away. It is 7.5 miles to New Haven, the nearest city. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Quillinan Reservoir

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Reported across Naugatuck Valley Planning Region: bluegill, white sucker, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and largemouth bass. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Quillinan Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 27°F in January up to 72°F in July. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Plan around that when you fish Quillinan Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. A car park sits roughly half a mile away. Naugatuck State Forest covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Colony Pond at 1 mile is the sensible second choice. For Quillinan Reservoir in particular, ask before you travel.