Upper Lake Phipps Fishing near West Haven, Connecticut

• Overview

  Upper Lake Phipps is one of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region listings for Connecticut. It sits 0.9 miles in from the sea. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in South Central Connecticut Planning Region. West Haven sits 0.9 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, New Haven is 3.1 miles off. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Upper Lake Phipps

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. South Central Connecticut Planning Region records list bluegill, American eel, pumpkinseed and white sucker among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Upper Lake Phipps light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 74°F and January about 29°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Upper Lake Phipps runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. There is a car park 170 yards from the bank. Ray Park runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. 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. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Upper Lake Phipps is 0.4 miles distant. For Upper Lake Phipps in particular, ask before you travel.