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 

NEW web page: "REEL" Fishing News- The Fisheries Division has started a new web page to get the work out on hot fishing, stocking, news and updates. The intent is to complement our social media efforts as we seek to keep you in the know. Check it out daily.

Atlantic Salmon Regulations: Commissioner Dykes has set the seasons, daily limit, and method of fishing for Connecticut's Atlantic salmon fishery. Unlike our other inland species, which are set by regulation, Atlantic salmon have an annual declaration. These fish are not wild, but are specifically raised at our Kensington Hatchery for recreational fishing.

White Marlin:  Caught on October 12 by Aaron Kolodzieg at the Hudson Canyon, this fish weighted in at 110.4 pounds and was 75 inches long. Congrats!!

Conger Eel: Caught on October 22, this eel was caught by Steven Bender. The eel measured 51.75 inches and tipped the scale at 13.8 pounds. Congrats! While the Conger Eel may not be seen all that commonly, the fish is reported to be commonly found along the Eastern coast where it frequents rocky substrates and wrecks. It has a similar life history as the American eel, however, it does not have a freshwater phase. This fish in in line with the maximum size for Conger Eels.

While the changed leaves may have you thinking about things other than fishing, Connecticut continues to offer quality fishing for many species including Tog, Pickerel, Panfish, Trout, and Atlantic salmon. Check out our tips and pointers for these fish below.

1. Blackfish (aka Tautog or 'Tog): Blackfish season is in full swing and many saltwater anglers will argue that November is the best time of year for catching the BIG "white chinners" before they head to deep water and the season closes on November 28th. In early November, fishing will be fantastic in both shallow water and deep water. Later in the month the fish will move deeper as the water temperatures drop. You need to find structure to find 'tog - piers, rock piles, jetties, mussel beds, rocky shoreline, and reefs are all good bets. Green crabs or Asian shore crabs are the most popular baits, and must be fished right on bottom. The daily limit is 3 fish per angler and minimum size to keep is 16 inches. Blackfish have incredibly firm, white flesh - perfect for any preparation but tough to beat in a fish chowder.

2 Chain Pickerel: Chain Pickerel are CT's top native predatory fish in freshwater lakes, ponds, river ands streams and can grow to impressive sizes upwards of 30 inches in length. The chain pickerel will remain very active and ready to ambush prey throughout fall, even as water temperatures drop. November is a great time to catch trophy pickerel as they fatten up for winter. Casting in-line spinners along weed lines or using large shiners under a bobber are both good options for targeting these toothy fish. 

3 Panfish: Black Crappies (aka Calico Bass) and Yellow Perch will school up as water cools down into the fall, and can feed very aggressively throughout the cold weather months. Begin your search for the panfish schools by fishing deep holes, shallow backwater bays and coves of larger lakes and rivers, and up tight to fallen trees and other structure. Once you find one, there will likely be many more close by! For more tips, check our our Panfish Primer webpage!

4. Trout: The Fisheries Division has stocked 57,570 trout. 22,120 of those were greater than 12” since the beginning of October. These fish were put into trout parks, trout management areas, and into popular rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Check out the complete list of stocked locations and dates.

5. Atlantic Salmon: Connecticut raises approximately 1,500-1,800 salmon to stock into our Atlantic Salmon Management Areas on the Naugatuck River or the Shetucket River. These stockings provide a unique opportunity to fish for and hopefully catch the "King" of sportfish. To afford as many folks as possible the opportunity, gear is restricted to a fly or artificial lure with a single free swinging hook. Bait and lures using a jig hook are not allowed. The fishery is catch and release until December 16, 2022 when it changes to a one fish per day limit.

On Monday, October 24, 2022 approximately 9,000 Walleye arrived from a commercial hatchery in Minnesota. The fish averaged 5-6 inches in length and were divided up and continued their journey into one of 13 lakes/ponds across the state. Learn more about CT's Walleye Management and watch the video below.

Join Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) Certified Fishing Coach Mike Jasensky as he shares tips and tricks he has learned from a life-time of panfishing experience! November is a great time of year to target panfish, and this video will prepare you will all the basics on tackle, baits, and more!

The October mystery fish was the Weakfish, Cynoscion regalis, Also goes by the name of Squeteague, Speckled Trout, or Sea Trout, however the fish is not a trout. Weakfish belong the the "Drum" family. Weakers get their name from the fragile mouth, which easily tears away from a hook. Feeding on other smaller fish, Weakfish are often caught using small lures mimicking bait fish. Some good lures include: Small bucktails, Deadly Dick spoons, soft-plastic swim shads, diamond jigs, epoxy jigs, fluke-style plastics, Z-Man swimbaits and Berkley Gulp! Weakfish can also be caught using shrimp, sandworms, clams, squid and peanut bunker. The Weakfish has a firm white flesh, which cooks nicely using a variety of methods.