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Latest Bites - July 2018
2018 MARINE FISH  regulations   have changed for Fluke (Summer Flounder), Tautog (Blackfish), Black Sea Bass, and Scup (Porgy) this year.  View the changes on our webpage and see the section below.

The Spanish version of the Angler's Guide is now online.

Deja vous!  Tie for the State Record Kokanee Salmon.

TOO HOT!  Many rivers and streams get too warm to support trout through our hot summer months.  Trout will seek out places where cold water enters from side brooks and streams (kind of like air conditioning) and wait out the warm temperatures.  These locations are called Thermal Refuges and are closed to fishing until September 15 (see poster below).

Learn to Fish - FREE!   DEEP Fisheries offers basic introduction to fishing classes all across Connecticut.  Our classes, taught by state certified instructors, will give you the skills and confidence to take advantage of the great fishing CT has to offer.  Start your lifetime of family memories at one of our courses! A full COURSE SCHEDULE with location details and registration information is updated regularly, so check back often!

Weekly Fishing Reports - get the latest on what's hot and what's not served directly to your finger tips.  Opt-In at DEEP Newsletter Subscriptions.
Happy 4th of July!  
COVER SHOTS NEEDED
We are fishing for your great Angler's Guide cover shot.  If you have a high resolution picture that represents fishing in Connecticut, email your entry to deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov  ATTN: cover shot.  All details about the contest, including the entry form are online.  
This Month's Mystery Fish
Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov 
TROUT COOLING CENTERS 
Summer can be a very difficult time for trout here in Connecticut.  Many of our waters warm well into the stressful and often deadly range.  To beat the heat, trout will seek out places where groundwater and cold tributaries enter.  In some of the more critical places like the Housatonic River, Naugatuck River, Shetucket River these areas are closed to fishing from June 15 to September 15 each year.  Please do not disturb the trout seeking refuge.  Even walking along the bank can cause the fish to scatter back out into the main channel where the water temperatures can have significant consequences.  
STATE RECORD (TIE) KOKANEE
Congratulations to Seth Harris who landed a 2 pound 14 ounce Kokanee Salmon out of West Hill Pond to share the state record set by Tom Pasko from East Twin Lake in 2011.

Caught a big one?  The Trophy Fish Award Program would like to recognize you.  Each species has a minimum weight and length.  If you catch one that makes the grade, send us a photo and the affidavit.
The Angler's Guide is now available in Espanol.  
2018 Youth Fishing Passports Available NOW!
The Youth Fishing Passport program (FREE) is your ticket to great family memories.  Check out the two activities, the Fishing Challenge and Geo-Catching as well as the list of sponsors who graciously support our young anglers with discounts and/or free items.  Renew or join today using DEEP's sportsmen licensing system!
Youth Fishing Passport
Changes to Inland Fishing Regulations for 2018

Farmington River:  A small portion of the West Branch Farmington River in the Riverton area (from the intersection of Hogback Road and Route 20 downstream to the gas pipeline crossing)  is closed to all fishing from April 1 until 6:00 am on Opening Day.

Mill River (Fairfield):  The Mill River Wild Trout Management Area (Class 1) is now extended downstream to the crossing with the Merritt Parkway.  The Mill River TMA below this crossing is now catch-and-release year round.

Catfish Daily Limits:  There is now a 6 fish per day limit on Channel Catfish and White Catfish in aggregate.  There is a 3 fish per day limit in places where the Fisheries Division stocks adult Channel Catfish.   Previously there was no daily limit. 

Common Carp:  There is now a daily limit of 5 fish per day with no more than 1 fish over 30 inches in length, except in the NEW Trophy Common Carp Waters.   Previously there was no daily limit or size limit.

Trophy Carp:  Several waters are now designated as "Trophy Carp Waters" with a 1 fish per day limit and a MAXIMUM size of 26 inches (all fish over 26 inches must be released without avoidable injury).  Previously there were no Trophy Carp Waters.

Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas:  The period when broodstock salmon gear restrictions (see Angler's Guide) are effective has been extended one month and is now September 1 to March 31 (inclusive). These gear restrictions apply to all angling for any species within the designated areas.

Tenkara Fishing:  Tenkara fishing is now allowed in all fly fishing areas.

Alexander Lake:   Is now open to fishing year round.

Pasture Pond (Quinebaug Hatchery Pond):    Is now designated as a Trout Park.

Baldwins Pond and Green Falls Reservoir:   Now open to fishing from 6:00 am on the Second Saturday of April through the last day of February.

Trout and Salmon Stamp:  See special section below.
Changes to Marine Fishing Regulations for 2018

Black Sea Bass:  Details available online.  General Anglers - 15 inch minimum  length.  Five fish per day May 19 -December 31.  Party/Charter Boats - 15 inch minimum length.  Five fish per day from May 19 - August 31; then 7 fish per day from September 1 - December 31.

Porgy (Scup):  New - 9 inch minimum length except at Enhanced Opportunity Shoreline Locations  where the minimum length is 8 inches . Daily limit remains 30 per person.
 
Summer Flounder (Fluke): New -  the daily creel limit everywhere is 4 fish
and the season has changed to  May 4 - September 30.  Minimum lengths  remain the same as they were in 2017, 1 9 inches everywhere except at Enhanced Opportunity Shoreline Locations where the minimum length is 17 inches.


 Blackfish (Tautog): New- 3 fish per day creel limit during October 10 to November 28.  No change to the size of 16 inches for any season and no change in the daily limit for the Spring and Summer Seasons.
The Trout and Salmon Stamp
With approval by the Legislative Regulations Review Committee on February 27, 2018, Connecticut now has a Trout and Salmon Stamp.  100% of the money invested in this stamp is guaranteed to support fisheries programs.  Please visit our FAQ page or email deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov with questions.  A summary is provided below.

Anyone age 16 or older including everyone who is age 65 or older who chooses to do one or both of the following must purchase a trout and salmon stamp:

1. FISH in one of the following areas:  Trout Park, Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area, or a Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Area.

2. HARVEST (keep) trout, Kokanee Salmon, or Atlantic Salmon anywhere in the state (except for waters stocked at no expense to the state).

The fee is $5.00 for age 18 and older and $3.00 for those 16-17.  The stamp is good for the calendar year (expires on December 31).

The Trout and Salmon Stamp will print on your fishing license as an additional privilege.
Mystery Fish Revealed
Last month's  Mystery Fish  was the Chain Pickerel (Esox niger).  The Chain Pickerel is Connecticut's native top predator for freshwaters.  While many consider this fish to be a pest (as it interferes with the type they are trying to catch), the Chain Pickerel plays a key role in keeping panfish (sunfish and perch) numbers in check.

The Chain Pickerel is a lie an wait ambush predator, which prefers to hang out in and around aquatic vegetation.  Flashy lures, poppers, and live bait fished in and along weedlines and patches of vegetation are good ways to entice a pickerel to feed.   Chain Pickerel are also commonly caught through the ice, like this one, when jigging or using live minnows on a tip-up.
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.
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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