Where to Fish Long Island Sound in Old Lyme

Old Lyme sits on the Connecticut shore of Long Island Sound with several public access points for saltwater fishing. The most reliable spot is Griswold Point, a sandy peninsula at the mouth of the Connecticut River where the river meets the Sound. The point is accessible by car, has a small parking area, and offers casting room along both the river side and the Sound side. The rocky jetties and shallow flats here hold striped bass, bluefish, and flounder depending on the season.

Lynde Point Lighthouse sits at the eastern edge of Old Lyme and offers another public access route. The lighthouse grounds are open to foot traffic, and you can fish the rocks and shallow water around the point. This location is better for summer and fall when baitfish move into the shallows. Parking is limited but available near the lighthouse entrance on Lyme Street.

The Connecticut River itself runs through Old Lyme and connects to the Sound. Several public boat launches along the river allow you to motor out to the Sound, and there are also shore-fishing spots along the river's lower reaches where it widens before meeting the Sound. Striped bass and shad run the river in spring and fall.

Key Takeaways

  • Griswold Point offers the most consistent public access with parking and room to cast along both the river mouth and Sound shoreline.
  • Lynde Point Lighthouse provides rocky structure and shallow-water fishing but has limited parking and works best in summer and fall.
  • The Connecticut River has public boat launches and shore-fishing access where it widens near the Sound, especially productive in spring and fall for striped bass.
  • A Connecticut saltwater fishing permit is required for all anglers 16 and older; purchase it online or at local tackle shops before you fish.
  • Tides and current strength matter significantly at these locations—fish the moving water around the river mouth and points rather than slack tide.

Seasons and Target Species at Griswold Point

Griswold Point fishes differently depending on the month. Spring (April through May) brings striped bass moving upriver to spawn; fish the deeper channel on the river side of the point early and late in the day. Summer (June through August) is slower for striped bass but good for bluefish and false albacore if you fish early morning or dusk. The shallow flats around the point hold flounder in summer and early fall.

Fall (September through November) is the most productive season. Striped bass return to the Sound as water cools, and they concentrate around the point's structure. Bluefish are also active. Winter fishing is possible but water temperature drops and fish move deeper; most anglers focus on the river channel rather than the exposed Sound side.

Baitfish availability drives the fishing. When sand eels, silversides, or bunker are present in the shallows, predators follow. Ask at local tackle shops or check recent reports before you go—conditions change week to week.

How to Reach Griswold Point and Lynde Point

Griswold Point is reached from Old Lyme center by heading east on Lyme Street toward the coast. Follow signs for Griswold Point Road; the parking area is at the end. The lot holds roughly 15 to 20 vehicles and fills on weekends during peak season. There is no fee, but parking is first-come, first-served. The walk from the parking area to the water is short—under 100 yards to the main fishing areas.

Lynde Point Lighthouse is also accessed from Lyme Street, heading east past Griswold Point Road. The lighthouse entrance is marked, and a small parking area sits near the gate. Foot traffic is allowed on the lighthouse grounds and around the rocky point. The walk to the water is slightly longer than at Griswold Point, roughly 200 yards, and the terrain is uneven with rocks and grass.

Both locations are about 10 minutes from Old Lyme center. There are no facilities—no restrooms, no water, no shade structures—so bring what you need. Cell service is generally reliable at both spots.

Regulations and Permits for Connecticut Saltwater Fishing

Connecticut requires a saltwater fishing permit for anyone 16 years old or older. The permit is free and can be purchased online through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) website or at tackle shops and sporting goods stores throughout the state. You do not need to carry a physical permit if you purchase online—the transaction record is sufficient proof.

Size and possession limits vary by species. Striped bass must be at least 18 inches long, and you may keep one per day. Bluefish have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish daily limit. Flounder (summer flounder) must be at least 19 inches and the daily limit is 5 fish. These rules change occasionally, so check the current DEEP regulations before you fish.

Catch-and-release fishing does not require a permit, but if you intend to keep fish, the permit is mandatory. Fishing hours are sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted.

Tides, Current, and Best Times to Fish

Long Island Sound at Old Lyme is tidal water, and tide timing matters more than time of day. The Sound has a semi-diurnal tide—roughly two high tides and two low tides per day, with about 6 hours between each. Tidal range (the difference between high and low) is typically 2 to 3 feet in this area.

Fish feed most actively during moving water—the 2 to 3 hours around the turn of the tide when current is strongest. Slack tide (the period of no current at high and low tide) is usually slower. At Griswold Point, the river mouth creates a funnel effect, so current is stronger there than in open water. Fish the jetties and channel edges during the moving tide.

Check tide tables for Old Lyme or the Connecticut River mouth before you go. NOAA provides free tide predictions online, and many fishing apps include tide data. Local tackle shops also post tide charts and can tell you which tide window is producing fish that week.

Tackle and Bait for Old Lyme Sound Fishing

For striped bass and bluefish at Griswold Point, bring a medium-action spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) with 10- to 15-pound braided line. Live bait works well—sand eels, silversides, or small mackerel fished on a simple rig with a small hook and split shot. Artificial lures also produce: white or chartreuse bucktail jigs (1/2 to 1 ounce), small swimbaits, and topwater plugs during low-light hours.

For flounder, use a lighter setup—a 6-foot rod with 8- to 10-pound line and a small bucktail jig or a live baitfish on a basic rig. Flounder prefer slow presentations on the bottom, so fish vertically or with a slow drag along the sandy areas.

Bait is available at local tackle shops in Old Lyme and nearby towns. Live bait is fresher if you catch it yourself with a small cast net in the shallows, but that requires practice. Frozen bait (squid, mackerel, herring) is reliable and works well for flounder and striped bass.

Nearby Facilities and Other Fishing Options

Old Lyme center has restaurants, a small grocery store, and a gas station within a few miles of Griswold Point. The nearest tackle shop is Shady Oaks Bait and Tackle in Old Lyme, which stocks live and frozen bait, lures, and permits. They also have current fishing reports and can advise on what is working that week.

If Griswold Point or Lynde Point are crowded or not producing, the Connecticut River itself offers an alternative. Public boat launches at Old Lyme Marina and other locations along the river allow you to motor to deeper water or explore different sections. Shore fishing is also possible at several public access points along the lower river, particularly near the mouth where the river widens.

For a different experience, Harkness Memorial State Park in nearby Waterford (about 15 minutes east) has rocky shoreline and jetties that hold striped bass and bluefish. It requires a state park day-use fee but offers more amenities and a different structure to fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish Long Island Sound in Old Lyme?

No. Griswold Point and Lynde Point both offer shore fishing with public parking and no boat required. If you have a boat, you can launch at Old Lyme Marina or other Connecticut River launches and fish deeper water or different areas, but shore fishing is productive and accessible.

What is the best time of year to fish Old Lyme?

Fall (September through November) is most productive for striped bass and bluefish. Spring (April and May) is good for striped bass moving upriver. Summer is slower for striped bass but offers flounder and bluefish. Winter is possible but requires patience and knowledge of where fish move in cold water.

Can I fish at night at Griswold Point or Lynde Point?

Fishing hours are sunrise to sunset at these public access points. Night fishing is not permitted. Plan your trips during daylight hours, and remember that dawn and dusk are often the most productive times within that window.

What should I do if I catch a striped bass I want to keep?

Measure it to confirm it is at least 18 inches long. Keep only one per day under Connecticut law. If it is undersized, release it immediately. Have your saltwater permit with you or proof of online purchase in case a warden checks.

Where can I buy a Connecticut saltwater fishing permit?

Purchase online through the Connecticut DEEP website, or visit Shady Oaks Bait and Tackle or other sporting goods stores in Old Lyme and surrounding towns. The permit is free and can be obtained in minutes online or in person.