Upper Shepaug Reservoir near New Preston: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  You will find Upper Shepaug Reservoir in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut. The country here is rolling bush. About 335 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The outline measures near 5.1 miles, so local knowledge counts. Few waters listed in Northwest Hills Planning Region are bigger. 5.8 miles away sits New Preston, the nearest town. Then Litchfield, 6 miles, and Washington, 8.3 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Upper Shepaug Reservoir

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Public occurrence data for Northwest Hills Planning Region names bluegill, brown trout and largemouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Upper Shepaug Reservoir where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 69°F and January at 22°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Expect Upper Shepaug Reservoir to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Goose Pond at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Upper Shepaug Reservoir before loading the car.