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Latest Bites - April 2017
Opening Day of Trout Fishing:   Save the date: 6:00 am Saturday, April 8, 2017.

Trout Stocking:  A new interactive trout stocking map is available on our webpage.  You can also get daily stocking updates by following us on Facebook.  NOTE:  some waters will not be stocked in 2017 or will not be stocked before Opening Day (see details below).

Know Where to Go:  Get the Weekly Fishing Report delivered right to your fingertips each week.   Subscribe for electronic delivery through the DEEP e-newsletter subscription.   Get stocking updates by following us on  Facebook .

2017 Angler's Guide:    The 2017 Angler's Guide is at your favorite bait and tackle shop, town clerk, or DEEP field office.  There are no changes to the INLAND fishing regulations for 2017. All of the inland rules and regulations from 2016 will carry forward for 2017. 

MARINE regulations have changed for Summer Flounder (Fluke) and those for Black Sea Bass may change later this year (stay tuned).

2017 Fishing Licenses:   Licenses for the 2017 season are now 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.
Opening Day 2017 - Where Will You Fish?
The Opening Day of trout season is an anticipated tradition for many friends and families.  This year approximately 350,000 trout will be stocked prior to April 8th and ready for your first cast at 6:00 am.  Here are a few tips for a successful opening day:

- Check your equipment now to make sure everything is in top working order (including boat, motor, and trailer - if planning to use a boat).

- Figure out where you are going to fish and do a scouting run to see if access or parking has changed since your last visit.  Check out the new interactive trout stocking map.

- If boating be sure everyone is wearing a PFD- no fish is more valuable than your life.

- Get the free Youth Fishing Passport for your budding angler.

- Attend a fisherman's breakfast.

- Dress for the weather and enjoy the day.
PLEASE NOTE:  Even though DEEP is still stocking a large number of trout (530,000), this year the total will be reduced by 90,000 fish.  This year's reduction results from the combination of loss of staff, the prolonged and ongoing drought, and pre-scheduled repairs at the Quinebaug Hatchery.  We have tried to minimize the impact to your fishing trip and maximize the available fish by reducing the quantity at many places and have decided to not stocking some small, infrequently fished waters.  

Please check our plan ahead list and make adjustments if necessary.  We apologize for any inconvenience, but hope you will enjoy some of the other great trout-stocked waters.
NEW-Interactive Trout Stocking Map
Connecticut DEEP Interactive Trout Stocking Map: An interactive map to indicate stocked locations and the number of days since each waterbody was last stocked.
The purpose of this map is to provide the angling community with near real-time information on stocked waters (days since the most recent stocking event) and improved location information about Connecticut's trout stocked waters using the latest in mapping technology.
 
Features:
*Search by town name or waterbody name
*Fixed Search (Query) Options
-List all stocked waters
-List all stocked waters within 1 day, 1 week, 1 month
-List Trout management areas
-List Trout Parks
-List Community Fishing Waters
-List of Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Areas
-List Wild Trout Management Areas
*Zoom in and out
*Legend, information, Query, and change base map buttons
* Buy my fishing license link
* Mobile friendly with "near me" feature
* Linked information for most waterbodies
-Detailed stocking point map (rivers and streams)
-Depth (Bathymetric) map for lakes and ponds

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.

Youth Fishing Passport
FREE Youth Fishing Passport: Now is the time to get or renew ya Youth Fishing Passport for your budding angler.  The Passport is free and available online through our mobile friendly sportsmen licensing system. 

Passport holders are challenged to fish all year long and with every catch, check off the different species on their  Fishing Challenge Score Card. 
This Month's Mystery Fish
Trout Parks
Beginner  Friendly! Trout parks are waters with good shoreline access and are stocked frequently in the spring.  The daily limit of 2 trout per angler helps to make sure as many as possible have the opportunity to catch and take home (if desired) a tasty trout dinner.  
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!

 
Mystery Fish Revealed
Last month's  Mystery Fish was t he Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus).  The Sea Lamprey is one of Connecticut's native fish.  Because they are so primitive, some scientists argue that lamprey should not be called a fish at all (or at least a "true fish", due to lack of paired fins).

The lamprey has a reputation as being a nasty parasitic organism.  While this may be true in the Great Lakes where it is not native, here in Connecticut, the lamprey does not have any negative impact on our fisheries.  

Starting in May, the Sea Lamprey will migrate from saltwater into rivers and streams where they will build a nest "redd" in the gravel.  After spawning the adult lamprey die.  A good place to come see lamprey migrating upstream is our fishway at the Rainbow Dam in Windsor.  The DEEP will be hosting an open house on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 
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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