Candlewood Lake
lake in Connecticut
Large open-water lake with weedlines, rocky points and deep structure that support excellent warmwater fly fishing from boat or shoreline.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Bass may be more active in shallower areas
- 01Bass may be more active in shallower areas, especially rocky points, humps, and weed lines, before moving deeper.
- 02Chain Pickerel will be ambushing prey in and around submerged vegetation and drop-offs.
- 03Baitfish imitations will be crucial as bass and pickerel feed heavily on forage fish.
- 04Crayfish are a significant fall food source for bass, found in rocky areas.
- 05Leech and larger nymph patterns are consistently effective in cooling waters, mimicking sluggish prey.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cooling fall waters, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic bass and pickerel.
Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)
Effectively imitates baitfish, a primary food source for smallmouth bass and other predatory species in lakes during the fall. Chartreuse/white is an excellent attractor color.
Articulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)
Sculpins are a common and significant food source for predatory bass in lake environments during fall as they feed actively for winter.
Buy at AmazonCrayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for bass in rocky areas and throughout lake bottoms in the fall, making this a crucial subsurface pattern.
Perch Pattern
Perch are a common baitfish in many lakes, and fall is prime time for predatory species like Chain Pickerel to target them, also attracting bass.
Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
A classic and highly versatile streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for bass and sunfish in the fall.
Zonker
This baitfish imitation is effective for aggressive bass and pickerel, especially in off-color water or when targeting larger fish in the fall.
Buy at AmazonDamsel Nymph (Olive)
Large damsel nymphs are present year-round in weed beds, making them a consistent subsurface food source for bass and pickerel, especially in shallower, weedier areas during fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
Brookfield / Candlewood Lake State Park Launch
Primary boat access with proximity to major points and mid-lake structure favored by fly anglers.
Danbury North Bays
Shallow flats and emergent vegetation that produce topwater fly action in warm months.
New Fairfield Shoreline / Squantz Cove
Protected coves and rocky points near Squantz Pond area that hold schooling smallmouth in spring and fall.
Fly shops within 40 miles
UpCountry Sportfishing
Anglers Den
The Local Fly
JT's Fly Shop
Get Candlewood Lake reports by email
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Connecticut season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about Candlewood Lake.
What flies work best on Candlewood Lake?
Our top scored fly patterns for Candlewood Lake right now are Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive) (80% confidence), San Juan Worm (80% confidence), Clouser Minnow (Bass) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Candlewood Lake?
Candlewood Lake holds Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Candlewood Lake fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Candlewood Lake each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.