September 2021
2021 Fishing Licenses are Available Online
Fishing Fuels Conservation!
100% of your investment funds fish and fishing
SOCIAL DISTANCE WHILE FISHING
Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors, reduce stress, and possibly catch a tasty meal. The Fisheries Division along with the CDC, State of CT DPH, and the DEEP strongly encourage social distancing and not fishing with anyone other than people living in the same space.
Latest Updates from the Fisheries Division
To advance the conservation, enhancement, restoration, use, and appreciation of Connecticut’s fish, fisheries and fish habitats.
Circle Hooks Required for Striped Bass. Effective December 1, 2020 it is mandatory to use inline circle hooks whenever fishing with bait (live, dead, or cut) for Striped Bass. Please view our web page for the latest information and details.
Labor Day Weekend Stocking - POSTPONED. The annual Labor Day weekend stocking of the Farmington River has been postponed due to higher than normal water temperatures within the river. The watershed received near record amount of rain during the early part of July and August. As such, there was just too much water in the system to allow stratification within the West Branch Reservoir. This stratification is critical to supply very cold water for the West Branch Farmington River. Without this cold water, the river is subject to warm temperatures in the late summer and early fall.

The Fisheries Division continues to monitor the water temperatures and will stock the river as soon as conditions are more suitable.
New State Records
White Sucker and Bowfin
Way to go Zach Stoltenberg who landed a 5.25 pound White Sucker from Crystal Lake in Ellington. The fish is the new largest White Sucker by weight for CT. Check out other state records in our digital fishing guide.
Congratulation to Fejzo Akaratovic who landed this new state record Bowfin - 9.5 pounds and 28 inches. This new largest fish by weight was caught in the Connecticut River, Glastonbury. Check out other state records in our digital fishing guide.
NEW Online Angler Recognition System
HOT OFF THE PRESS! The Fisheries Division is pleased to announce a brand new way to submit your great catches to us. Now online (versus paper copy) you can fill out information and submit a photo wherever you have service, even right in the field. The system is designed to support applications for: Trophy Fish, State Records, Youth Fishing Passport Fishing Challenge, "First Fish", and "Personal Best". The system also has an interactive "Dashboard" to show some key statistics as well as fish catch locations.

We will be populating the new system with all applications that were submitted prior to September 1, 2021. If you have any questions, please reach out to mike.beauchene@ct.gov.
Learn to Fish CT - Online Course
Check out and share our brand new "Learn to Fish" interactive online class. This class follows our popular "Learn to Fish Workbook" giving you information on all of the important aspects of fishing. Take the class at your pace and when completed you will get a custom certificate.

Once done with the class, feel free to join us at one of our Special Fishing Event field trips to test your new found skill. Details below!
Video of the Month
The Burlington State Fish Hatchery was established in 1923 and still produces quality fish for Connecticut angler. Take a virtual tour of the hatchery through this video.
Watch this video and hundreds of others by subscribing to the DEEP YouTube channel.
Circle Hooks Mandatory - Striped Bass
"We're trying to help conserve a stock of fish that is in an overfished condition and needs help. By using inline circle hooks, people are pitching in to that effort."- Justin Davis, Assistant Director, Marine Fisheries Program

This regulation was mandated by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and is being adopted by all Atlantic coast states. View the regulation change.

For more info visit our web page, view our fact sheet, or watch the video below.
This Month's Mystery Fish
If you have a guess as to the type of fish pictured below, email Mike.beauchene@ct.gov
Fishing Challenge - For YOUth
NEW- Enter your catches online
Please use our online form to enter your youth fishing challenge catches
Youth Fishing Passport
Fishing is the perfect family activity during this time of "distance learning" and being "socially distant". CT's FREE Youth Fishing Passport is your child's ticket to all of the amazing outdoor discoveries fishing has to offer. Fishing involves knowing about habitat, environmental quality, food webs, life history of species, and so much more. You can get a Youth Fishing Passport, for those 15 or younger, using our online licensing system. Register your child as a new user. If you have questions please contact us.
Fishing Challenge Scorecard
The Youth Fishing Passport Fishing Challenge is a year long fishing scavenger hunt. To have your catch count, simple snap a photo of your fish (from our scorecard) and email it to us. The top four anglers (who catch the most different types on our list) receive a prize pack full of fishing swag.
Fishing Guide - Access Online Anytime
The 2021 Fishing Guide is available in English and Spanish.
Mystery Fish Revealed
Last month's mystery fish was the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The Brook Trout is Connecticut's only native trout species. The "Brookie" requires very cold water throughout the summer months and as such is often limited to the smallest of perennial streams, which are dominated by springs and groundwater input.

In a summary report of work completed by Fisheries staff to follow up on a massive state-wide stream survey 30 years ago, indicates that about 30% of the places that once had wild brook trout no longer do. In addition, those places that still have wild brook trout have had a reduction in the overall density. As part of the Statewide Salmonid Action Plan, Fisheries staff are currently drafting a plan to manage Connecticut's wild trout - stay tuned for a forthcoming draft, survey, and a series of public discussions.
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