2023 Fishing Licenses are Available Online

The CT Fisheries Division has partnered with FishBrain, the world's largest fishing APP to provide CT's fishing regulations right to your smart device. These regulations are available in the FREE version of the APP. As with any APP if you would like to have access to premium features there is a subscription fee.

The Burlington State Fish Hatchery turns 100 this year!

Each month in 2023, CT Fishin' Tips will highlight one of Connecticut's many inspirational female anglers. The featured anglers have a deep passion for Connecticut's fisheries and serve as role models for all of us.

More from Jessica.....

At what age did you start fishing? I got my first Barbie push-button Zebco just for my 3rd birthday!

Who introduced you to fishing? My dad! from the moment I was old enough to hold a fishing pole, he had me practice casting in the driveway with those little plastic casting lures. 

Growing up in Waterford, Stenger Farm was right in my backyard. Every year they used to hold an opening day Trout tournament. I would go every year from my 3rd birthday on with my dad and did quite a good job catching more than he did. There was one year (back when we had local cable channels) where there was a local fishing show being filmed there. I was 5 years old and was featured on the show because I was this little girl, with my Ugly Stik/Shakespeare spinning rod combo, tying and baiting my own hooks, and catching and releasing my own fish. My dad would just look at me and smile and say "That's my girl!" from then on, it became by biggest passion.

What is your favorite fish to try and catch? That's a tough question! I would have to say my favorite fish to target is Tautog. The fight they put up isn't comparable to any other fish we have in the sound, and they are so finicky! If you don't set the hook at the perfect moment, you'll burn through a few dozen green crabs in no time! Plus, with them living in rocks and wrecks, you have to be quick to get them and keep them out of the rocks, or you'll lose quiet a few rigs as well. Setting your drag right is of the utmost importance if you want to land a nice Tog!

Why do you like to fish? The water is my sanctuary, my happy place. There is nothing I would rather do than go out on the boat, or even on shore and wet a line. It's the perfect excuse for me to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state. Looking on Google Maps and finding little hidden gems is the ultimate treasure hunt. 

We are so lucky in Connecticut to have such an abundant fresh and saltwater fishery. Not to mention the wildlife. Nothing beats seeing an Osprey dive down on some bunker, or a Bald Eagle or Red Tail Hawk fly overhead, calling to their mate. I've seen a few Loons in the sound, they have such a unique call! I've seen beautiful Loggerhead turtles, that will come right to the surface and look you in the eye as if to say ""Hello, friend!"" I've even come across a few seals! It's amazing to me as a wildlife lover to see the variety of creatures we have thriving in our local waters.

It is also extremely gratifying to be able to provide a meal for my family. Bringing some fresh caught flounder or tautog to a camping trip and watching everyone enjoy a meal that I harvested puts the biggest smile on my face! Being one with nature is my calling, and fishing is my passion.

What were some barriers that you had to overcome? (and maybe still battle) I think one of the biggest barriers I have dealt with is being prepared. Whether that be going out on choppy waters and forgetting my Grundens, getting caught in a rainstorm without my rain gear, or forgetting drinking water and lunch when it's +90 degrees out.

It's a lesson I'm finally learning after +25 years of fishing. Being wet and cold during Tog season is not only inconvenient, but it can be dangerous. Same goes for being out during the summer and not having enough food or water to keep yourself sustained. You don't realize the toll the water, sun and elements can take on you, until you aren't properly prepared! Don't forget, you are exerting a lot of energy while you're fishing!

My best advice is to always dress according to the WORST conditions you can face. It's much easier to dress for choppy, cold, rainy weather and take off your raincoat, than it is to forget it at home and have a surprise storm roll in, leaving you cold and wet. ALWAYS make sure you eat and drink water before going out and bring enough water to get you through your trip! Dehydration is no joke! and, DON'T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN, SUNGLASSES AND A HAT!!

Much if not all of the clothing and gear is male focused and does not fit women. What advice could you give to a new female angler about this problem? Most of the clothing I own is actually for men, I just size my clothing accordingly. Thankfully, a lot of the bigger brands (Grundens, HUK, Columbia) have started to expand their clothing lines to include women's apparel. My best advice would be to join a community fishing page for women, you'd be surprised how many women are seriously invested in the sport and are always willing to offer a helping hand! 

What is your favorite fishing memory or memories? One of my favorite fishing memories was the first time I went out trolling live eels for Striped Bass at Barlett's Reef. It was my 14th birthday and my uncle called me and said, "get dressed, we're going striper fishing." Unfortunately, I was feeling pretty under the weather, but it was my birthday and I had never been Striper fishing like this before. I was laying on the boat deck with a wet shirt over my face, and my uncle said "JESS! Get over here, this is a big one!" All of my ailments I was feeling washed away with the waves, and I was feeling like a brand-new person. He handed me the rod and guided me through how to fight this absolute monster. I saw the dorsal fin break through the water, and I remember yelling "IT'S A SHARK!" I had never seen a fish this big in my 14 years of life. After a very long, tiring fight, I was able to get her over to the boat and into the net. She was 45" and an absolute unit. I couldn't believe that a fish this big lived right in my backyard. I will remember that day for the rest of my life. 

What advice would give to a woman who says "I would like to fish, but it does not seem to be for me"? Just go! I have so many female friends that see my pictures every weekend of me going out on the boat and catching these fish and saying exactly that, ""it looks like fun, but I don't think I'm cut out for it. Many of them I have convinced to come out with me, just once. Test the waters (pun intended). And almost every single one of them has fallen in love with the sport. Even those who only come out a few times, I know they won't forget that day. 

Just last year I brought a friend out Tog fishing with us. She had been out a few times, but not with anyone who fishes like I do. I've told her stories about how challenging it can be, but I explained how to bait the hook, how to feel for the right bite, and how to set the hook when it's time. She listened to my instruction to a T and ended up with the biggest Tog on the boat that day, and her Personal Best! It was a beautiful, 5.5Lb female, 21". I know she'll never forget that trip, and of course, now she's hooked!

Please share anything else that you think would be motivational or helpful and speak to female anglers My best advice to any woman out there is to just go! It can be a little jarring at first to dip your toes into what has been a male-dominated sport for a long time. Don't be afraid to ask questions and remember there is ALWAYS something to learn! I've been fishing for almost 26 years, and I am still learning something new every trip. Watch YouTube videos on how to do something, practice tying your knots, and go out and try new things! One of my biggest downfalls over the years has been being embarrassed of going out and fishing with new people, but you would be amazed at how supportive and informative the fishing community can be!

The Fisheries Division – Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education Program (CARE) is seeking volunteers to join our team of certified Fishing Coaches! FISH with CARE program hosts classes and events all over the state where we teach basic fishing skills to adults, families, and youth. FISH with CARE coaches work with Fisheries staff to educate and engage the public in the outdoors through the sport of fishing. If you are interested in sharing your love and knowledge of fishing while creating the next generation of environmental stewards, consider joining our Fishing Coach team! Our next certification training is being offering in April, information to get involved can be found HERE!

Would you like to see your catch highlighted in upcoming issues of CT Fishin' Tips? If so, please email your photo to mike.beauchene@ct.gov 

Seeing this makes “Gonna need a bigger boat!” Echo in my head. While reeling in this striped bass these anglers had an unexpected visitor who proceeded to chomp most of this Striped Bass in one bite.

Now that we have "caught" your attention about SHARKS, here is the "reel line":

Our Long Island Sound is home to several species of shark, none of which are of concern from a public safety issue. We suspect the culprit which bit a striped bass while being reeled in and was the focus of a recent post on this page, was probably a sandbar (brown) shark, or less likely a dusky shark or sand tiger shark (these species are a little rarer than the sandbars).

These species are native/endemic to Long Island Sound and in fact, are all threatened/protected species. We are not formally monitoring recreational angler/shark interactions so we do not know if there is an increase or not. However, if it is true there is an increasing number of interactions with anglers it is actually a positive sign of a native depleted predator species perhaps increasing in abundance.

To be clear, sharks snagging a recreational angler catch here and there is not a bad thing, but instead is a positive sign for the Long Island ecosystem, and there is no concern for public safety.



Should you have any questions please reach out to Dave Molnar at David.molnar@ct.gov

Take a virtual tour the Burlington State Fish Hatchery on the centennial of its opening!

NEW for 2023 - The list of species has been increased to include many popular fish, both freshwater and saltwater. The challenge is ON! Start catching and submitting, you can be CT's next "Top Angler"

If you have a guess as to the fish pictured below, email Mike.beauchene@ct.gov

Last month's mystery fish was the Rainbow Smelt. A native fish for CT the smelt were primarily an anadromous fish, meaning migrating from salt to freshwater to spawn. Like alewife and white perch, landlocked populations were able to be established. Currently, the only known landlock smelt populations are in waters of the upper Farmington River watershed. The Fisheries Division staff worked collaboratively with shoreline owners on West Hill Pond to re-establish a population in West Hill Pond. To do so, biologists transported "egg mats" full of smelt eggs from a donor lake to a tributary of West Hill Pond for about five consecutive years. After a slow start that showed little evidence of success, an annual spawning run has been recently documented and re-established.

Smelt are a prime forage species to help trout, bass, and pickerel reach above average weight. They are also sought after by ice anglers for a tasty meal fried in butter out on the ice, YUM!