Parking, a fishing license and an after-hours access permit are three separate things — paying for one doesn’t cover the others. Connecticut-registered vehicles park free at every state park and forest, all year. Out-of-state vehicles pay during the April 1 – October 31 fee season.
Checked October 28, 2026 from CT DEEP State Parks. Camping, rentals, tours and events are charged separately.
🅿️ Parking fees
| Park · water bodies | CT plates | Out-of-state weekdays | Weekends / holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammonasset Beach State ParkHammonasset Beach State Park | Free | $15 | $22 |
| Rocky Neck State ParkRocky Neck State Park, Rocky Neck Pond | Free | $15 | $22 |
| Sherwood Island State ParkSherwood Island State Park | Free | $15 | $22 |
| Silver Sands State ParkSilver Sands State Park | Free | $15 | $22 |
| Squantz Pond State ParkSquantz Pond | Free | $15 | $22 |
| Bigelow Hollow State ParkBigelow Pond, Mashapaug Lake | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Black Rock State ParkBlack Rock Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Bluff Point State ParkBluff Point Coastal Reserve | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Burr Pond State ParkBurr Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Chatfield Hollow State ParkSchreeder Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Gardner Lake State ParkGardner Lake | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Gay City State ParkGay City Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Harkness Memorial State ParkHarkness Memorial State Park | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Hopeville Pond State ParkHopeville Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Indian Well State ParkLake Housatonic | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Kettletown State ParkLake Zoar | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Lake Waramaug State ParkLake Waramaug | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Mount Tom State ParkMount Tom Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Quaddick State ParkQuaddick Reservoir | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Stratton Brook State ParkStratton Brook Park Pond | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Cockaponset State Forest — Pattaconk Recreation AreaPattaconk Lake | Free | $10 | $15 |
| People’s State ForestFarmington River (West Branch), Farmington River — West Branch TMA | Free | $10 | $15 |
| Devil’s Hopyard State ParkEightmile River | Free | Free | Free |
| Housatonic Meadows State ParkHousatonic River | Free | Free | Free |
| Macedonia Brook State ParkMacedonia Brook | Free | Free | Free |
| Mashamoquet Brook State ParkMashamoquet Brook | Free | Free | Free |
| Wharton Brook State ParkWharton Brook Pond | Free | Free | Free |
| American Legion State ForestFarmington River (West Branch), Farmington River — West Branch TMA | Free | Free | Free |
| Pachaug State Forest — Green Falls AreaGreen Falls Reservoir | Free | Free | Free |
| Fort Trumbull State Park24-hour walk-in fishing on Pier 4 (Thames River) | Free | Free | Free |
| Ferry Landing State Park, Old LymeFishing & crabbing; boardwalk closed for bridge work | Free | Free | Free |
🌇 Late-day rates (out-of-state)
- Hammonasset, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island: $7 after 4 p.m. — staffed booths, Memorial Day–Labor Day
- Harkness Memorial: $7 from 4–6:30 p.m. (in DEEP’s coastal fishing guide, not on the park page — confirm first)
- Indian Well: $6 after 4 p.m.
- Sleeping Giant: $6 after 4 p.m. on weekends/holidays
💳 Paying & passes
- Out-of-state fees are still due when the booth is closed — pay at an open booth or online through ReserveAmerica.
- Online payments add a $2 processing fee and must be made by 10 p.m. on the day of your visit.
- Non-resident season pass: $112 — one out-of-state vehicle for the calendar year. Doesn’t cover camping, special admissions or entry after a park closes to capacity.
- Squantz Pond: peak-season weekend/holiday parking reservations open up to 14 days ahead.
🌙 Night fishing & after-hours access
Free parking doesn’t mean after-hours access. Where it’s offered, DEEP requires a night-fishing vehicle permit — there’s no single published price, so call the park. Walk-in anglers don’t need the vehicle permit but must actively fish with a license and gear.
| Location | Access |
|---|---|
| Hammonasset Beach State Park203-245-2785 | Seasonal night fishing. 24-hour fishing access Memorial Day–Columbus Day; arrange vehicle access with the park. Peak-season daytime fishing is limited to the jetty areas. |
| Rocky Neck State Park860-739-5471 | Night-fishing permit must be issued by the park on the day of your visit — call during business hours. |
| Harkness Memorial State Park860-443-5725 | A designated night-fishing parking area is on the official map. Confirm access, permit and any charge with the park. |
| Bluff Point State Park | Fishing is listed as 24 hours at Poquonock Cove and the beach. Confirm overnight parking with the park. |
| Sherwood Island State Park | Designated fishing areas have seasonal restrictions; off-season beach fishing is 8 a.m.–sunset. Don’t assume overnight access. |
| Fort Trumbull | 24-hour walk-in fishing from Riverfront Walk to Pier 4. Parking free; fees are for exhibits only. |
| Ferry Landing | After-hours parking is for fishing/crabbing. Boardwalk currently closed for bridge construction. |
🎣 Fishing licenses (annual)
| License | CT 16–17 | CT 18–64 | Non-resident 16+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland (freshwater) | $14 | $28 | $55 |
| Marine (saltwater) | $5 | $10 | $15 |
| All Waters | $16 | $32 | $63 |
| Trout & Salmon Stamp | $3 | $5 | $5 |
- Under 16: no license needed. CT residents 65+: free Inland and Marine licenses (renew yearly).
- Non-resident 3-day: Inland $22, Marine $8. CT resident 1-day Marine: $3 (16–17), $5 (18–64). Annual licenses expire December 31.
- Trout & Salmon Stamp is required (16+) to keep trout, kokanee or Atlantic salmon, and to fish Trout Parks and Trout/Salmon Management Areas even catch-and-release — including Black Rock Pond, Schreeder Pond (Chatfield Hollow), Stratton Brook Pond and Wharton Brook Pond.
Questions: CT State Parks 860-424-3200 · DEEP Marine Fisheries 860-434-6043. Always confirm with the park before you travel.