CT Fishin' Tips
   Your source for Connecticut fishing news, pointers and tips


E-Tackle Box
(links to fishing info)
Mystery Fish
Do you recognize this fish?

Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov

The July mystery fish was the Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis). Our largest native minnow, the Fallfish is sometimes called a "dace".  

CT has 2 species of "dace", the Longnose and Blacknose. Both are small riverine fishes (2-4 inches) and are very difficult to catch with a hook and line.

Fallfish are commonly caught by anglers pursuing trout as they will strike at lures, bait, and flies.  

While some may view Fallfish as pesty, they can provide non-stop action during the late summer when trout are laying low.
Have a Tip or Photo You Would Like to See in CT Fishin' Tips?
Email your tip to DEEP.Inland.Fisheries@ct.gov 
Budding Angler in Your Family?
Youth Fishing Passport


Wondering what's new in fisheries?  
Get the latest in fisheries through our quarterly reports.

or 
Caught a Big One?
Be proud of your catch! By meeting the minimum size requirements and rules, you can earn a trophy fish award pin. View the details.
Cover Shot?
We are accepting your high quality digital photos of your great CT fish catches for the 2016 Angler's Guide until November 1, 2015. Ideal photos are sharp, well focused, high resolution images representing the great fishing opportunities in Connecticut. Email your entries to deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov
Need a License?
License Fees Fund Fishing and Hunting Programs
100% of the fees collected from the sale of fishing and hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps goes to support fish and wildlife conservation, preservation, and recreation programs administered by the Bureau of Natural Resources. 

Each time you purchase a license your contribution goes to support fishing, hunting, and open space right here in CT.  

So the next time you catch a Walleye, Brown Trout, or Striped Bass, see a Bald Eagle, harvest a white-tail, pheasant, or turkey, give yourself and your fellow sportsmen a pat on the back!

You are making a difference and we t hank you for your support!
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Connecticut Wildlife Magazine

Every issue of this bi-monthly publication includes great wildlife photography, in-depth feature articles written by DEEP biologists, information about hunting and fishing, and natural history articles.

Connecticut Wildlife Magazine is published six times each year.

Subscriptions are $8 for one year, $15 for two, or $20 for three years.

Report a Violation
Help to protect our natural resources for future outdoor sports enthusiasts.  Report suspected violations by calling DEEP Environmental Conservation Police at 1-800-842-HELP
Are you 16-17 years old? 
Get 50% off fishing and hunting licenses
All 16 and 17 year old Connecticut residents can purchase 2015 fishing and hunting licenses, tags, permits, and/or stamps at 50% of the full resident cost. Get your license now!
Need a Permit?
P lanning a fishing tournament or derby? Would you like to stock some fish in your pond? You can now take advantage of our new on-line permit application system, ezFile.  To get started, download Google Chrome, create your user account, and submit an application.  If you have questions, give us a call at 860-424-FISH (3474). 

Missed an Issue of CT Fishin' Tips?
Find every issue in our archives.
Latest Bites
Fall Trout Stocking: Coming soon, DEEP will be stocking approximately 25,000 trout into selected Trout Management Areas, Trout Parks, and some lakes, rivers, and streams.  

Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for our daily fall trout stocking updates and subscribe now to have our weekly fishing report sent directly to your inbox.
Free Fishing License Day #2: 534 people took advantage of the free 1-day fishing license offered on August 15th. T his brings the total number for both of our free fishing license days to 1,034!

We have been told the fishing was excellent and, more importantly, the free license encouraged many to make "fishing" a family activity.  We are pleased so many were able to spend quality time with friends and family.

Thank you for your support and we hope that you have become "hooked on fishing".  
Seeking fishing photos (pre 1960): The Inland Fisheries Division is currently seeking photos (pre 1960) you may have of your family with their catch.  We are working on the history of inland fisheries as part of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the CT Fish Commission (predecessor to our modern day Bureau of Natural Resources).  If you have any photos that you are willing to share, please contact us at deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov.
Save the Date
Hunting & Fishing Day: Back by popular demand!  On September 26, 2015 the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources and the sporting community will be at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area celebrating the many benefits of hunting and fishing (details).  
Long Island Sound Fishing is ON!  Late summer brings diverse fishing opportunities in Long Island Sound.  With large schools of "peanut bunker" (juvenile Menhaden 2-4 inches in length) found throughout, the fishing for predatory species like Bluefish, Striped Bass, and Fluke can be very good.  Bottom fishing on or around rocky bottom can produce plenty of good sized Porgy (Scup) and in deeper waters Black Sea Bass.  A reminder that the last day to fish for Tautog (Blackfish) is August 31st (reopens on October 10).
Great Fishing at Fort Trumbull
Saltwater Fishing Event: Our annual CARE and No Child Left Inside Summer Fishing Event was held on
Saturday, August 15, 2015 (coinciding with free fishing license day).  Over 200 people showed up to drop a line off of the fishing pier at Fort Trumbull State Park .  Even a seal decided to stop by and spend the day as well!

Some of the more frequent catches were Scup (Porgy), Cunner, Round Herring, and Butterfish.  Kids and adults were kept busy as large spider crabs grabbed at the bait as soon as it hit the bottom.  

The catch of the day was the capture of a small smooth dogfish (A shark!!).
2016 Angler's Guide Cover Contest

We are accepting your high quality digital photos of your great CT fish catches for the 2016 Angler's Guide until November 1, 2015. Ideal photos are sharp, well focused, high resolution images representing the great fishing opportunities in Connecticut.  Email your entries to deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov
Nice Catches!
Austin M, a very proud angler (submitted by Gary M.  Austin's Grandfather):

Austin's dad, is a career Army officer and due to that they move every two years. We get to visit with his family two to three times per year. I first took Austin fishing when he was four and his family lived in Virginia. He loved it. We mainly caught Bluegills, Bullheads and Pumpkinseeds from ponds near his home. He never kept a fish and we always returned them to the water.

Well, for the past 18 months he has lived in the desert. His father was transferred to the first armor division in El Paso, Texas. He has not been able to fish. Austin came to visit us a couple of weeks ago. His first question was can we go fishing. I told him we'd go early Saturday morning. I felt someone tapping me on my shoulder at 3 a.m. Saturday. He asked, is it time? I put him back to bed and we left at 6:30. He caught these two nice trout, a brown and a rainbow. We kept them, as truth be told they caught themselves and swallowed the hooks. He enjoyed the trout dinner.


Seeing double:  
The following is an account of by what most would consider a great family fishing trip on Candlewood Lake. Thanks to Xavier Sr. for the submission. 

I set up Xavi first on a shiner and he dropped it down. One small sinker to allow the bait to take its time heading towards the fish. Meanwhile I started to set up Kayla and before I could get her hook on, boom - Xavi sets the hook and yells fish on.

We instantly knew it was a good fish as it has his small pole doubled over and was taking line. I put Kayla's rod down and grabbed the net. The fish took its first leap and that's when I started getting really excited! It was a huge smallmouth. He did a great job of fishing steady and reeling in between pulls. The fish jumped a few more times and at each point I started sweating as I was hoping it wouldn't spit the hook.

All in all, Xavi landed a beautiful Smallmouth Bass that was 20+ inches and about 3.5 lbs. He proceeded to bang away at fish, all told 6 bass and 2 perch during the 3 hour trip.

Meanwhile.....Kayla not to be outdone.... Her rod began bobbing.  Both Xavi and I told her to set the hook. She didn't. It kept bobbing.  Mom was also saying set the hook and she didn't....Finally the rod doubles over and I say - REEEEELLLLLL!

This one was seeming to come in easier until it saw the surface - off it went back down , screaming off line. This is when I grabbed the net and began sweating. Could the mickey mouse pole hold on? Could Kayla land this fish ? I had to hold the rod steady for her so she could reel.  It was twisting left and right almost knocking us out of the boat.

Finally when it came aboard - it was a beauty!!! Her fish was almost the twin of Xavi's.  She got the fish of the day (to Xavi's disappointment), just over 21" (a trophy fish for the catch and release category).

I've said it before, not sure how she does it but she always gets the bigger fish!

(Have a good story and the photos to prove it?  Send it to us and we may publish it in CT Fishin' Tips.  Email to deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov)
Fish Tacos With Fresh Pico de Gallo
This delicious combination of late summer fish and home grown produce is simple and easy to make.  

Porgy (Scup) are a saltwater species commonly caught in Long Island Sound from many shoreline locations or by boat. August brings together good sized Porgy and fresh tomatoes and jalapeno peppers from the garden.

Ingredients (serves 4):

Pico de Gallo:
6 ripe tomatoes
2-3 Jalapeno peppers
1 large onion
1 cup Cilantro
1 lime
Salt and Pepper

Fish:
8 Porgy Fillets (skin removed)
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 package of taco seasoning
Butter and/or Olive Oil
Hard or soft taco shells

Finely chop the tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, onion, cilantro. Mix together in a large bowl, add juice of the lime and salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside to rest.  (Note: to adjust the heat of the salsa add more or less Jalapeno and keep or remove the seeds).

Beat eggs in a bowl, combine flour and taco seasoning in a plastic bag, place fillet one at at time into egg until completely coated.  Place fillet into plastic bag with flour mixture and shake.  Repeat with remaining fillets.

In a large pan, heat butter or olive oil or both.  Place fillet into pan and cook about 2 minutes per side or until fish is opaque throughout.

Remove and serve immediately with taco shells, Pico de Gallo, and an ice cold cerveza!
   
Have You Fished Here?
Shore-based fishing is the simplest and most affordable form of salt water fishing and a popular way to enjoy Connecticut's coastline. 

Good shore based summer flounder and/or scup fishing opportunities exist at 41 locations along CT's shoreline in at least 18 different communities from Stonington to Westport.   At these locations (indicated by the sign pictured above)  the minimum size to keep Scup (Porgy) and Summer Flounder (fluke) have been reduced to 9 inches and 16 inches respectively.

To get a list of locations visit our website or the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide.  
By purchasing a fishing license, you help to support conservation and improvement of Connecticut's fisheries.  Thank you!