What You'll Find at Cornfield Point
Cornfield Point is a working tidal flat and shallow-water fishery on the western side of Old Saybrook, where the Connecticut River widens into its estuary. The point itself is a low, sandy spit that juts into the river, and it's surrounded by the kind of structure that holds fish year-round: eelgrass beds, tidal channels, and a hard bottom that shifts between sand and mud. You're fishing in water that rarely exceeds 8 to 10 feet at high tide, and at low tide you'll see bare flats and the channels that baitfish use to move in and out.
The main species here are striped bass and summer flounder (fluke). Stripers move through in spring and fall, hunting baitfish in the shallows during low light. Fluke settle in during summer and hold in the deeper channels and holes. Smaller bluefish and weakfish show up in good years, and if you're there at the right tide, you might see schooling bunker or mullet that draw everything in the river.
Key Takeaways
- Cornfield Point fishes best on moving tides—incoming water pushes baitfish into the shallows and stripers follow.
- Low tide exposes the flats, but the channels that cut through them hold fish all day if you know where to cast.
- Spring and fall are peak for stripers; summer is flounder season, especially in the deeper holes along the point's eastern edge.
- Access is from the public boat launch at Saybrook Point Park, about a mile north; no shore access at the point itself.
How to Get There and Launch
There is no parking or shore access at Cornfield Point itself. Your entry is by boat from Saybrook Point Park, which sits at the mouth of the Connecticut River where it meets Long Island Sound. The park has a public launch ramp, parking for vehicles and trailers, and a small fee (usually $10 to $15 for a day launch, but confirm with the town). From the ramp, head north and slightly west up the river—Cornfield Point is roughly a mile away, a 5 to 10 minute run depending on your boat.
The water between the launch and the point is deep enough for most small center-console and open boats at high tide. At low tide, you'll need to know the channel; if you're new to the river, run it at mid-tide your first trip so you can see where the water is. The point itself has no mooring field, so you'll anchor in the shallows or beach your boat on the flats if the tide allows.
Seasonal Patterns and What to Fish
Spring (April through May) brings the first strong striped bass run. Water temperatures climb from the 40s into the 50s, and stripers move upriver from the Sound to feed and spawn. They hunt in the shallows at dawn and dusk, and the incoming tide is your best window. Fish live eels, bunker chunks, or small soft plastics (3 to 4 inches) along the edges of the eelgrass beds and in the channels. Early morning is more productive than midday.
Summer (June through August) shifts the focus to flounder. Stripers thin out as water warms, but fluke move in and hold in the deeper holes and channels. The best holes are along the eastern side of the point, where the bottom drops from 6 feet to 10 or more. Fish live or fresh-killed sand eels, silversides, or small squid on a simple two-hook rig. Drift slowly over the holes on the outgoing tide, or anchor and work the bottom with vertical jigging.
Fall (September through October) brings stripers back. Water cools, baitfish concentrate, and the point becomes a feeding station again. The same tactics that work in spring apply here—live eels, bunker, and small plastics on the incoming tide. October can be exceptional if the weather holds and the water temperature drops into the 50s.
Tide, Time of Day, and Conditions
Tide is everything at Cornfield Point. The incoming tide pushes water and baitfish into the shallows, and stripers follow. Fish the last two hours of the incoming tide and the first hour of the outgoing tide for the most consistent action. At dead high tide, the water is slack and fishing slows. At dead low tide, you're working narrow channels and deeper holes—still productive, but you need to know where they are.
Time of day matters most in spring and fall. Dawn and dusk are peak, especially on clear days. Midday fishing is slower unless the sky is overcast or the water is stained. Summer flounder bite throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are still more reliable.
Wind and water clarity affect your approach. A light wind from the north or west keeps the water clear and the fish feeding. Strong southerly winds chop up the shallows and can push fish deeper. If the water is murky after rain or a blow, use darker lures and fish by feel—stripers hunt by vibration and lateral line detection, not just sight.
Tackle and Bait That Works
For stripers, bring a 6 to 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 15 to 20-pound braided line. Live eels (8 to 10 inches) are the gold standard in spring and fall—cast them near structure and let them swim. If eels are hard to find, fresh bunker chunks or live mackerel work. Soft plastics (4 to 5 inches) in natural colors—pearl, chartreuse, or dark green—are effective and easier to cast all day. Work them on a 1/4 to 3/8-ounce jighead along the grass edges and channel breaks.
For flounder, use a lighter setup: a 6-foot medium-light spinning rod with 12-pound braided line and a fluorocarbon leader. A simple two-hook fluke rig (available at any tackle shop) with live sand eels or silversides is standard. If you prefer jigging, a 1/2 to 1-ounce bucktail tipped with a small shrimp or squid works well. Drift slowly or anchor and work the bottom with a slow, steady lift-and-drop motion.
What to Know Before You Go
Cornfield Point is part of the Connecticut River estuary, and it's a working fishery—you'll see commercial boats, recreational anglers, and kayakers. Respect the space and stay aware of other traffic. The point itself is shallow and can be crowded on weekends during peak season, so arrive early if you want elbow room.
Check the tide tables before you launch. The Connecticut River tides are predictable, and you can find them online through NOAA or most fishing apps. Bring a chart or use GPS to mark the channels and holes; they don't change, but they're easy to miss if you're new to the river. The bottom is mostly sand and mud, so your anchor will hold, but set it firmly and check it if the wind picks up.
Regulations change, so confirm current striped bass and flounder size and bag limits with Connecticut DEEP before you fish. As of recent years, stripers have a 18-inch minimum and a two-fish daily limit in the spring season, but this varies by season and year. Flounder have a 19-inch minimum and a four-fish limit, but again, check the current rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish Cornfield Point from shore?
No. The point itself is private or restricted, and there's no public shore access. You must fish by boat from Saybrook Point Park's launch ramp, about a mile south.
What's the best tide for Cornfield Point?
The incoming tide is most productive for stripers because it pushes baitfish into the shallows. Fish the last two hours of the incoming tide and the first hour of the outgoing tide. Flounder bite throughout the tidal cycle, but they concentrate in the deeper holes during slack water.
Do I need a boat to fish here, or can I kayak?
A kayak works well at Cornfield Point, especially in summer when the water is calm. You can reach the point easily from the launch, and the shallow water is kayak-friendly. Bring a small anchor or stake, and be aware of boat traffic, especially on weekends.
What's the water depth at Cornfield Point?
Water depth ranges from 2 to 3 feet on the flats at low tide to 8 to 10 feet in the channels and holes at high tide. The deepest water is along the eastern edge of the point, where it drops to 10 to 12 feet.
When is the slowest time to fish Cornfield Point?
Midsummer (late July and August) can be slow for stripers because water temperatures climb and fish move deeper or offshore. Flounder are active, but stripers are less predictable. Late winter (February and March) is also slow because water is cold and fish are less active in the shallows.