---
title: "Public Land: Hunting and Fishing in Connecticut"
description: "While less than six percent of Connecticut is public land, there is a modest array of public areas ranging in size from just a few hundred acres to several thousand, offering respectable public hunting and fishing access. Natchaug State Forest • 13,454 acres"
date: "2013-04-24"
modified: "2021-04-20"
authors:
  - name: "Tony Hansen"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/tony-hansen/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/2013/04/public-land-hunting-and-fishing-connecticut/"
categories:
  - "Conservation"
  - "Fishing"
  - "Hunting"
  - "Public Lands & Waters"
---

# Public Land: Hunting and Fishing in Connecticut

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/22/UZVFWBZ2J2NK52A7GPY3S5U74Y.jpg>)

While less than six percent of Connecticut is public land, there is a [modest array of public areas](<https://www.depdata.ct.gov/wildlife/hunting/hntareas.asp/>) ranging in size from just a few hundred acres to several thousand, offering respectable public hunting and fishing access.

**[Natchaug State Forest](<https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325062/>)**

• 13,454 acres

• Noted for excellent fishing opportunities and designated trout park

• Deer and turkey hunting options are plentiful

**[Nipmuck State Forest](<https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325174/>)**

• 9,289 acres

• Miles of hiking trails for easy access

• Deer and turkey hunting opportunities

**[Tunxis State Forest](<https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=445284/>)**

• 9,518 acres

• Boat launch on Howells Pond for warm-water species fishing

• Deer and turkey hunting opportunities in forestlands

**[Thomaston Dam](<https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/ThomastonDam.aspx/>)**

• Operated by U.S. Corps of Engineers

• Waterfowl hunting is popular at the dam

• Stocked pheasants provide upland hunting opportunities

**[Salmon River State Forest](<https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325074/>)**

• 6,980 acres

• Ample fishing opportunities on Salmon River

• Deer, turkey and small game hunting

**[Roraback WMA](<https://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/habitat/yfshrubinitiative/trailguide.pdf/>)**

• 1,975 acres

• Designated archery-only for deer hunting

• Leadmine brook offers brook trout fishing

**[Quinebaug River WMA](<https://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/maps/maps_hunting_area/map9132a.pdf/>)**

• 1,646 acres

• Some portions designated bow-only for deer hunting

• Excellent turkey hunting

Find more public land access opportunities with the [Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Hunt Planner](<https://www.rmef.org/TheHunt/HuntPlanner.aspx/>).

Photo: Nipmuck State Forest

Photo credit: [flickr](<https://www.flickr.com/photos/22299651@N07/8231744694/>)

## Author
Tony Hansen is a contributing writer to Outdoor Life. A Michigan native, he lives in the southern Michigan community where he grew up chasing deer, turkeys, and football-sized smallmouths with the most meaningful catch of his life, his wife, Nichole.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/t.hansen_im2nd?utm_medium=copy_link>)