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Latest Bites - March 2019
2019 CT Fishing Guide is due out mid-March.  The March publication time-frame is due to CT having a combined freshwater and saltwater guide AND the federal process for determining saltwater regulations is usually not complete until late February.  

OPENING DAY OF TROUT SEASON IS 6:00 AM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019.

NEW Interactive Trout Stocking Map:  Our very popular interactive trout stocking map is up and running! This map will tell you where we stock trout and when the location was last stocked (updated daily). We are currently stocking places that are open to fishing (but may be catch and release only - check regulations).  We will not be updating the locations that are currently closed to fishing until the week prior to opening day, which is April 13, 2019.

Trout Fishing closed on February 28 in most of our waters. Most waters that are stocked with trout are closed to all fishing. Exceptions are Trout Management Lakes (see details below), Tidal Rivers, Trout Management Area's, and places not stocked with trout.  For the remainder of trout waters, this closure allows DEEP Trout Hatchery staff to stock in preparation for Opening Day - 6:00 am on April 13, 2019. Remember to check your Fishing Guide for specific regulations on each waterbody before you go fishing. 

2019 Fishing Licenses are on sale now.  100% of your investment in licenses, tags, permits, and stamps comes to the Bureau of Natural Resources in support of Fisheries and Wildlife programs. 
BEWARE of LICENSE SCAM SITES
Please be sure that you are on the " Official" CT DEEP Sportsmen Licensing Page.  There are some offers on the internet that may lead someone to believe they are getting their fishing license, but instead are paying for a "guide" on how to get the fishing license.  Look for ct.gov in the URL.
See You at the Show
Please stop by and say hello.  Staff from the Fisheries Division (Inland and Marine programs) will be on hand to help you with questions, point out places to fish, and take a look at the great fish you caught this past year.  

We will be acknowledging the new state record holders, anglers of the year, and top anglers for youth fishing passport program during our Trophy Fish Award recognition ceremony on Saturday at 12:00 noon.  

Immediately following the recognition ceremony, Pete Aarrestad (Director) and Justin Davis (Assistant Director - Marine Program) will field your questions.
Trout Fishing in March
CT Trout Management Lakes
Fisheries has stocked  eight lakes (Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, Squantz Pond, West Hill Pond, East Twin Lake, Amos Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, and Rogers Lake) with a total of 4,000 trout (2,000 Rainbows and 2,000 Brook Trout).  These fish average 16 inches in length and are being produced specifically for these "March Season" lakes that have a daily creel limit of one trout with a 16 inch minimum length during the month of March.  Fishing closes at these lakes on March 31, 2019.    

Candlewood Lake will be the only March season trout lake not getting stocked with some of these fish.  It will be stocked with the normal number of trout prior to opening day (too large for the number of fish we have available).
NEW Signs for the Trout and Salmon Stamp
Trout and Salmon Stamp .  A Trout and Salmon Stamp ($5) is required if you would like to KEEP any Trout or Salmon (look for the purple sign) or if you would like to FISH in a Trout Management Area (River or Stream), Wild Trout Management Area, Trout Park or Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Area (look for the green sign).  Details below and on our  FAQ page .  Get it at the same time you purchase your fishing license or add it later through 
This Month's Mystery Fish 
Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov 
The Trout and Salmon Stamp
With approval by the Legislative Regulations Review Committee on February 27, 2018, Connecticut 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 Tench (Tinca tinca). The Tench is native to Eurasia and it's introduction to Connecticut is unknown.  The first observation was in Lake Winnemaug (Watertown) in 1942.  Since that time, probably when Lake Winnemaug was drained in the mid-1990's, someone transported Tench to Bantam Lake.  Tench have become established in Bantam Lake and while the transport was most likely well-intentioned, it is illegal to introduce any fish to any waters in Connecticut as the impact of those fish in the existing fish community could be catastrophic.

Tench feed on a variety of items typically found on the bottom of weedy-muddy ponds.  They are a tasty fish and anglers here can catch them using worms or dough balls fished on the bottom.  The typical size range for Tench caught angling is between 10-16 inches. 
NEWEST State Certified Fishing Instructors
The Fisheries Division -  Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program has been teaching residents of Connecticut how to fish and connecting them to our states natural resources since 1986! In this time frame, CARE has taught over 210,000 people of CT! To accomplish this, the CARE program trains and certifies volunteer Fishing Instructors to teach Introductory level fishing classes.

This past February, CARE trained and certified the newest cohort of Instructors! We are happy to have these environmental stewards as part of our team. 

If you are interested in spreading your love and knowledge of fishing to "newbies", contact Tom or Justin at the CARE office - (8609) 663-1656. The next Instructor certification training will be June 15th. 
License Fees Fund Hunting & Fishing Programs

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!

You are making a difference and we thank you for your support!
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