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Latest Bites - June 2018
FREE FISHING LICENSE DAY - JUNE 17, 2018
Free Fishing License Day #1 - Sunday, June 17, 2018:   Free 1-day fishing licenses are now available for our first of two "Free Fishing License Days".  Anyone can fish for free after obtaining the free 1-day license.  These licenses are available online or wherever licenses are sold.

National Fishing and Boating Week - It is always a great time to fish or boat, but this week we are celebrating the many benefits fishing and boating offer.  See our list of events in the section below.

Women's Only Fishing Class:  Back by popular demand, our annual Women's Only fishing class will be on Saturday, June 16th at our CARE Education Center, 364 North Branford Road, Killingworth, from 10 am to 2 pm. Save a space for you and your BFF by calling Tom at 860-663-1656 or Thomas.Bourret@ct.gov 

2018 MARINE FISH  regulations  have changed for Fluke (Summer Flounder), Tautog (Blackfish), Black Sea Bass, and Scup (Porgy).  View the changes on our webpage and see the section 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.
National Fishing and Boating Week
National Fishing and Boating Week - We welcome you to join the celebration by coming to one or more of our Free Learn to Fish classes or our fishing events.  Details of each in the online schedule. 

Fun and Free Classes

June 9 -  Free Learn to Fish Class, Ansonia

June 11- Free Learn to Fish Class, Essex

June 16 - WOMEN only Free Learn to Fish Class, Killingworth

Fishing Events - Designed for alumni of our Family Fishing Classes, this is an excellent way to implement your newly learned fishing skills under the watchful eye of trained professionals. Please email Justin Wiggins to RSVP - space is limited.

June 12 - Colony Park Pond, Ansonia

June 17 - Lake Wintergreen, Hamden

June 19 - Mohegan Park Pond, Norwich

WOMEN ONLY FISHING CLASS
Back by popular demand, join our team of women fishing instructors, led by Andrea Nivolo (2014 cover winner- photo below) and Judy Witzke (long-time state instructor).  You will enjoy a stress free and relaxing day learning the basics of fishing and fishing at Forster Pond, our beautiful pond surrounded by peace and quite.   

Our annual Women's Only fishing class will be on Saturday, June 16th at our CARE Education Center, 364 North Branford Road, Killingworth, from 10 am to 2 pm. 

Save a space for you and your BFF by calling Tom at 860-663-1656 or Thomas.Bourret@ct.gov
VOTE NOW!  ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO FLORIDA
The moms of Connecticut have spoken and Burr Pond (Torrington) is the winner! 

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is thrilled to announce we have recognized Connecticut in this year's Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat! We worked with moms across the nation to compile a comprehensive list with 50 Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the country. 

VOTE FOR BURR POND
 
But now we need your help! From this list, ten locations will be named the Top 10 Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the nation. America will be voting for its favorite, and we want Connecticut to make it into the Top 10! 
 
To celebrate National Fishing and Boating week, voting will begin on 6/6/18. Consumers who vote will be entered into a contest to win family fishing/boating trip in Florida. Voting ends on 6/29/19 and the Top 10 list will be announced in July.
The CATS are here!
The Fisheries Division has completed the annual stocking of Channel Catfish. This very popular game fish was stocked as adults (14-20 inches) into Community Fishing Waters and as yearlings (8-10 inches) into Catfish Management Lakes where they grow to adult size within in a year or two.  Since our stocking, we have been getting reports of great fishing from many of these locations.  
Channel Catfish are omnivores, feeding upon a variety of baits including night crawlers, cut bait, artificial baits, and live minnows.  While they can be more active at night, anglers report catching Channel Cats throughout the day.

New for 2018:  The regulations have changed.  The daily limit is 6 fish per angler per day except for waters where Fisheries stocks adult Channel Catfish - 3 fish per angler per day.  There is no minimum size.
Take DAD Fishing for FREE!
On Father's Day, Sunday June 17, anyone can fish for free with the free 1-day fishing license**.  The free 1-day license is available anywhere licenses are sold or through our online system.

Free Fishing License Days are a perfect way to spend quality time outdoors with friends and family.  Many of us have fond memories of fishing with dad or grandpa when we were kids.  What better way to rekindle some of those memories by taking a fishing trip to your favorite fishing hole. 

**Please be advised that a Trout and Salmon Stamp is required if you plan to keep any trout or if you plan to fish in a Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area, Trout Park, or Broodstock Salmon Area.  See Trout and Salmon Stamp text below for additional details.

Our second date will be Saturday, August 11, 2018 with the free license for this date available starting on July 23, 2018.
This Month's Mystery Fish
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
New 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.
New 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 NEW 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.
Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov 
Mystery Fish Revealed
As we have been getting quite a few calls wondering, "What the heck did I catch?". Last month's  Mystery Fish  was the Bowfin (Amia calva).  The Bowfin is a very interesting fish.  One of the most primitive in evolutionary terms, the Bowfin resembles fish found swimming millions of years ago.  

The Bowfin is native to the central united states and was introduce into Connecticut (unknown by who and when).  Currently there is a population in Scoville Reservoir, Wollcott and throughout the Connecticut River.  

Bowfin prefer backwater, weedy swamp-like conditions where they prey upon other fish, frogs, and even ducklings.

Recent changes in the fishing regulations now allows the possession of dead Bowfin.  Currently there is no state record for this species. 
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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