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Latest Bites - November 2017
Fall Trout Stocking:   Fall trout stocking is nearing completion. Stay up to date with our stocking posts on Facebook and Twitter, the current stocking report, or our interactive trout stocking map.

BIG Brook Trout:  About 360 broodstock Brook Trout have been stocked into the scenic waters of Mowhawk Pond (180 fish) and Black Pond (180 fish). These beautiful fish averaged 3 pounds!

Atlantic Salmon:  One round of stocking has occurred for fall broodstock Atlantic Salmon!  Fish have been stocked into the designated Atlantic Salmon areas of the Naugatuck River (upper portion) and the Shetucket River.  In addition, Mount Tom Pond and Crystal Lake (Ellington) also received some fish.

Blackfish (Tautog) is OPEN:   One of Connecticut's perennial fall favorite fisheries is Blackfish (Tautog).  The fall season opened 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.
Is This Connecticut's Second World Record Fish?
Many of us probably have never heard of or seen a Clearnose Skate, but Anthony Carpentino has!  Fishing with a chunk of Mackerel at Fort Hale (New Haven), he landed a 9 pound 6 ounce Clearnose Skate.  One that could qualify for a new world record.  David Molnar has provided the necessary information for IGFA, good luck Anthony, we are routing for you.

Congrats Anthony and more important than this record is our appreciation for your service to our country!

Here is the account in Anthony's own words.

"My name is Anthony Carpentino, I'm a 30 yr old Iraq combat veteran from East Haven. Earlier today ( 10 / 15 / 17) at around 11 am, I caught a 9 lb 6 oz Clearnose Skate from fort hale on mackerel chunk bait.... I had it weighed at Bobby J's bait shop in Milford on a certified scale...( I'd like it to be mentioned that i buy all my bait from Dee's bait shop in fair haven if possible) I was sweating when it was getting weighed then not only did I obliterate the state record but the world record is 7 lbs 11 Ozs, I destroyed it too. It's no Striper heh heh but I'll take what I can get."

Check out Connecticut's Trophy Fish Award Program for the criteria, rules, and entry affidavit form.  We would like to recognize you for your outstanding catch, you never know what is on the other end of the line.
This Month's Mystery Fish
Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov 
CT's Unique Atlantic Salmon Fishery
Each fall since the early 1990's the Connecticut Fisheries Division has stocked Atlantic Salmon into the Naugatuck River and Shetucket River "Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas" as well as a few select lakes and ponds.  To support the unique Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery that has been established in the state, the Fisheries Division is specifically producing (at our Kensington State Fish Hatchery) about 1,000-1,200, 2-3 year old fish (average weight of 2-5 pounds) to stock in "Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas". These fish are stocked before they ever produce eggs. 

An additional 200-250 large (average weight of 10-15 pounds) broodstock Atlantic salmon are produced each year and are stocked for recreational fishing after being spawned. Salmon are stocked into sections of the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers each fall. Harvest is allowed in these areas, but please refer to page 28 in the 2017 Connecticut Angler's Guide for details. 

For up to date stocking information please see our current stocking report or watch for stocking posts on Facebook, Twitter, and FishBrain.
Big Brookies
The Fisheries Division has once again stocked about 360 broodstock Brook Trout into each of two Connecticut waters (180 fish each); Mowhawk Pond (Cornwall/Goshen) and Black Pond (Woodstock).  These fish average about three pounds and have been spawned prior to release.  Many of these fish have reached and passed their reproductive prime and as such are being used to create a unique fishery for very large Brook Trout.
Did You Get "Albie" Fever?
False Albacore or Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) are highly sought after due to their strength and ability to provide a thrilling fight.  A visitor to the Long Island Sound each fall, many anglers scan the horizon looking for small flocks of birds who indicate "Albies" feeding below.  False Albacore are the most common Tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. They are found from Brazil to New England and South Africa to the United Kingdom. "Fat Alberts" as they are called are pound for pound the most powerful fish one can catch. The world record is 36 pounds (48") caught off New Jersey. They only have a life span of five years and reach sexual maturity in one year.

Finding them is the easy part, getting these finicky fish to take your offering is a whole other ball game.  It only takes one "hook-up" to become infected with a case of "Albie Fever", the uncontrollable urge to land another.

To improve your odd of success, try using small  Sluggos, Albie Snacks, Epoxy Lures (chartreuse) or Deadly Dicks.  If you're fly fishing use a size 2 - 8 fly, and while some fly fishers stay true to match the hatch, others believe a contrasting fly stands out best as "Albies" herd thousands of identical looking bait to the surface.
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 the Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), aka "pond shiner". The Golden Shiner is our most commonly found native minnow.  It resides in many of Connecticut's lakes, ponds, and larger rivers.  Goldens prefer locations with moderate amount of vegetation.  They are a very important forage species for predatory fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, walleye, channel catfish, and trout.  Golden Shiners usually do not acquire their namesake color until they are a couple of years old, until then, they are silver and resemble Fallfish and Common Shiners.  Adults can be caught on small tackle (as in the photo below). Large Golden Shiners are great bait for targeting Northern Pike through the ice!
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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