Smallmouth Bass

If you're chasing Smallmouth Bass in Norwich, Connecticut, the Shetucket River is your primary target. While not known as a smallmouth mecca, the Shetucket holds a decent population of these hard-fighting fish, particularly in its deeper runs and rocky sections. Focus your efforts from late spring through fall, when the water temperatures are more conducive to smallmouth activity. Early mornings and late evenings often produce the best results. A key to success here is understanding the river's structure. Look for areas with current breaks, such as boulders, fallen trees, and bridge pilings. These spots provide ambush points for smallmouth waiting for prey. A local angler secret: try fishing the area around the old Norwich Hospital grounds; there's accessible shoreline and some interesting underwater structure. Smallmouth in the Shetucket are typically in the 1-3 pound range, but a few larger specimens are occasionally caught.