Simsbury Reservoir near West Simsbury: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, sits Simsbury Reservoir. The setting is mixed forest. This is a pocket water of some 10 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Supplies mean a trip to West Simsbury, 1 mile off. Hartford sits 12 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Simsbury Reservoir

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Capitol Planning Region records list bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, chain pickerel and brook trout among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Simsbury Reservoir gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 24°F in January and 71°F in July. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Break-up near late March, freeze-up near late December: that is the shape of an average year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Simsbury Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. This falls in or next to protected ground, so rules will be tighter than usual. 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. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Tuller Reservoir at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for Simsbury Reservoir.