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Latest Bites - October 2017
Fall Trout Stocking:   Fall trout stocking started earlier in September but has been in a holding pattern due to the resurgence of summertime temperatures. As soon as conditions improve we will be stocking the remaining allocation of fish. Stay up to date with our stocking posts on Facebook and Twitter, the current stocking report, or our interactive trout stocking map.

FREE Basics of Trout Fishing Course:  The Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program is offering a FREE basics of trout fishing course on Friday, October 6th from 6 pm to 8 pm at our education center (364  North Branford Road) in Killingworth and a fishing trip to Schreeder Pond in Chatfield Hollow State Park on Saturday, October 7th from 7 am to 10 am.  Register by calling 860-663-1656 or email Justin.wiggins@ct.gov 

Blackfish (Tautog) Opens October 10:  One of Connecticut's perennial fall favorite fisheries is Blackfish (Tautog).  The fall season opens on October 10 and runs until December 6, 2017.  The minimum size is 16 inches and each angler is allowed to keep 4 fish per day.

Angler's Guide Cover Contest:  The DEADLINE for the 2018 Angler's Guide Cover contest is November 1, 2017.  We want to see your best shot.  Email your entry to deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov

Know Where and When to Go  by subscribing to the  Weekly Fishing Report,  which is delivered right to your fingertips each week.   Subscribe  for electronic delivery through the DEEP e-newsletter subscription.

2017 Fishing Licenses:  Licenses for the 2017 season are available through our on-line system (mobile friendly).  100% of your investment in the license goes to support Connecticut's fish and wildlife.  A great way for you to show your support for CT's natural resources!
Angler's Guide Photo Contest 
DEADLINE is November 1

Have you got the next cover shot?  We are accepting high quality and high resolution photos for the 2018 Angler's Guide Cover Contest (details).  Email your entries to deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov and good luck!  


This Month's Mystery Fish
Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov 
Fall Migration - Time to Hit the Sound
Each fall popular marine species like Bluefish, Striped Bass, and False Albacore can be within casting distance from the shoreline.  In search of bait species, these fish are loading up on energy for their migration offshore and to southern waters. 

Great fishing can be found in our coastal state parks and properties including Sherwood Island, Silver Sands, Hammonasset, Rocky Neck, Bluff Point, and Barn Island.

Pack your rod, a variety of poppers, spoons, and tin (shiny silver lures) and take a walk along CT's shore.  You may just hit the blitz!
Togging in Long Island Sound
October means pumpkins, apple picking, and 'tog.  Blackfish (Tautog) or 'tog as they are more affectionately known, are a member of the wrasse family.  The Blackfish favors rocky structure, especial ly the type with large caverns and spaces (like the breakwall in the photo), which afford the tog safety and security.

Blackfish can be caught using a variety of bait including sandworms, clams, shrimp, but their favorite is crab (Asian shore, Green, and Hermit).  A sturdy rod and hefty pound test are needed to help wrangle the largest 'togs from their rocky cavern.

The meat is white and has a firm texture.  Favorite dishes include tog chowder, blackened, cajun, or baked with crab stuffing.
We Need You to Build "Fishing Buddies"
A Spotlight on Fishing Partners
The fisheries division is planning a new Facebook feature, "Fishing Buddies", to spotlight those who are "all in" when it comes to supporting anglers in Connecticut. The purpose of "Fishing Buddies" is to help foster the passion in novice and expert alike.

If you own a business, are a guide, sporting club, or fishing group we would like to post about you. Our new campaign, "Fishing Buddies" is open to all of you who help to keep CT anglers going.

If you are interested, email mike.beauchene@ct.gov with the following:
  • Name
  • Website link
  • Email
  • Social media tags
  • Physical address
  • Description of what you have to offer to the fishing community
  • Any specialties you may have
  • 2-4 photos or a 30-60 second video clip

Thank you and Fish ON!
All Things Fishing 
We have fishing covered in the new "Connecticut is Fishy" application. Within a 60 minute drive you can be fly fishing the famed Housatonic River or Farmington River, catching monster Northern Pike in Bantam Lake, jumbo Common Carp from the Connecticut River, or on Long Island Sound fishing for tasty favorites like fluke, porgy, sea bass, and bluefish.
The "Connecticut is Fishy" application is a cross between an atlas, our Angler's Guide, our fishing web pages, and interactive maps. We know you will be hooked.
Mystery Fish Revealed
Last month's  Mystery Fish  was an Atlantic Chub Mackerel (Scomber colias). The Atlantic Chub Mackerel (aka Hardhead, Bullseye) have a mottled pattern on the lower half of the body (where other mackerel are uniformly silver).  Like other mackerel, the chub is a schooling fish and can swim great distances.  The chub is slightly smaller than other mackerel but is considered a decent eating fish, being very high in Omega 3 fatty acid and vitamin B and D.  Thanks to all who sent us some photos of this interesting looking fish.
Learn to Fish for FREE

The Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program has a schedule of our free learn to fish classes on our web site.  Classes are open to families and kids ages 9 and up who are interested in learning the basics of fishing.  Classes are continually being added to the schedule so check back often.

Join Us on FishBrain

We are pleased to be on FishBrain, the most popular social media app for anglers. FishBrain is a free download for iphone and android. Users take advantage of the free angling support features (or elect to subscribe for premium features).  Follow CTDEEPFish and we will follow you back!

 
License Fees Fund Hunting and Fishing Programs

100%  of the fees collected from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, tags, permits, and stamps goes to support fish and wildlife conservation, preservation, and recreation programs administered by the Bureau of Natural Resources (Connecticut General Statutes 26-15, 20-15(a), 26-15 (b)). 

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

So, the next time you see a bald eagle, harvest a white-tail, pheasant, or turkey, or catch a brown trout or striped bass, give yourself and your fellow sportsmen a pat on the back!



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