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 rain/wind forecasted for post tropical storm Ophelia caused us to postpone the 100th anniversary celebration for the Burlington Fish Hatchery. We have rescheduled and are please to invite you to attend:

• Saturday, October 14th from 10 am to 3 pm
• 34 Belden Road, Burlington, CT
• FREE - Something for young and old alike.

October has some of the best weather of the year. Come join CARE as we fish some of our most popular Trout Parks (freshly stocked through out the month). Register here.

Stripers, Blues, Tog (Blackfish), Scup and Albies - OH MY! Long Island Sound fall fishing has something for everyone.

Water temperatures in southern New England's salt waters will steadily drop while the fishing heats up throughout October as we hit the peak of the "Fall Run"! This month, baitfish will be aggregating in large groups with predators in hot pursuit as they all prepare to migrate from Long Island Sound to more suitable waters. October is a great month to walk CT's shoreline State Parks with fishing rod in hand. A few tips:

1. Keep an eye out for birds working the surface and blitzing striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore!
2. Heavy metal lures, jig heads with soft plastic baits, and long surf rods that are capable to cast far distances are key to reaching the feeding fish.

TOG (Blackfish) season opens October 10th with a minimum size of 16 inches and daily limit of 3 fish per angler. Blackfish are a traditional fall fishery prized for the hard-fighting battles and delicious fillets they provide. Fishing for blackfish can be successfully done by either boat or shore. Blackfish are extremely structure orientated - you need to fish in and around the rocks, boulders, jetties, piers, mussel beds, or reefs to find these fish. Crabs - whether green or Asian shore crabs - are the primary bait. Blackfish tackle should consist of a stout rod and heavy to pull the fish from the rocky holes they live in. You can purchase blackfish rigs from a bait shop, make your own, or use a simple jig to get your crab into the rocks the live. Sea bass and scup are often mixed in with the blackfish and will readily eat a crab, both very tasty bi-catch to mix into your blackfish chowder!

Our Long Island Sound Trawl Survey crew never knows what they might see on a given day out on the Sound – yesterday was a stand-out example. First, the crew trawled up a HUGE roughtail stingray (Bathytosia centroura): over 6 ft. long, 5 ft. wide, and an estimated 400 pounds! These gentle giants are found along the Atlantic coast from New England to Florida but are relatively rare in Long Island Sound. Like all stingrays, roughtails have a venomous spine in their tail – but not to worry – they are not aggressive, and don’t frequent shallow nearshore waters where people wade and swim. Note that the picture shows the ray laying on its back, with its light-colored “ventral side” (aka – belly) facing up. Rather than attempt to roll the animal over, our crew quickly took some measurements and immediately returned the ray to the water to watch it swim away alive and well.

For more information about the roughtail stingray: https://www.sharksandrays.com/roughtail-stingray/

For more information about the Long Island Sound Trawl Survey: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Fisheries-Management/Long-Island-Sound-Trawl-Survey

Fall trout stocking is planned for trout management areas, trout management lakes, trout parks, and several other popular waters. The starting fall trout stocking can be tricky as we have to wait for water temperatures to drop into a favorable range (cool off from summer heat) for trout and stream flows have to be adequate (if we are in a period of low flow).

To stay on the fish this fall, follow along with one or more of these tools.

1. Trout stocking report
2. Interactive trout stocking map
3. Facebook updates on Wednesdays and Fridays

The Town of Salisbury has closed the town boat launch on Wononskopomuc Lake for the rest of 2023. The closure is to prevent introduction of Hydrilla, found in the nearby East Twin Lake. All boaters are reminded to help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants and animals by "check - clean - drain - dry" each time you use your boat.

Each fall and winter the Fisheries Division stocks approximately 1,500-1,800 Atlantic salmon to support a very popular recreational fishery. Since 1991 Atlantic Salmon, raised at our Kensington State Fish Hatchery, have been stocked into the designated Atlantic Salmon Management Areas and select lakes.

The regulations for the fishery can be found on the image below as well as on the annual declaration issued by DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes

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.

Amanda has always loved fishing, but we really found out a few years ago when she supported her son Rocco as he fished like crazy and made the top 4 of the Youth Fishing Passport "Fishing Challenge". Since then Amanda has continued to provide unconditional support to drive Rocco all over the state in quest of each species in the fishing challenge AND has joined the CARE program as a certified fishing coach, which help us to bring quality fishing experiences to all (see our October schedule in this edition). Amanda said "I don't have too many, if any, photos of me fishing as lately it has been all about supporting Rocco and CARE. Well we get it Amanda and thank you for continuing the tradition with Rocco.

At what age did you start fishing?

I started fishing at a very young age, when we would go camping with the family. However, I just got back into fishing at 44.  

Who introduced you to fishing?

"My mom and grandfather would take my brother and I when we were young children. I really gained a love for fishing over the past couple years, bringing my children (Kayla and Rocco) fishing when the world shut down due to the pandemic. My kids are 24 and 12, my daughter was still working, however my sons sports were shutdown and he didn't know what to do with himself, so we took up fishing. I remember calling DEEP in March, and saying ok, where can I take my kid fishing? I need to get this kid doing something. 

Then of course The CARE program, my son and I would go to as many events as we could, we have learned so much through this amazing program. "

What is your favorite fish to try and catch?

I love to fish. Not sure I have a favorite, for me its not really about the fish I catch, but more about the fact that I am out fishing with people I enjoy, and there is nothing better than being on the water, doing what you love to do with people that you like to be around. There are times when my son and I will go to a little pond with a bunch of different artificial baits to see what we can catch. I do like to catch Smallmouth Bass, and believe it or not Sea Robins. 

Why do you like to fish?

"I really like being around water. My parents had my brother and I on the water at a very young age waterskiing. I am at peace when I am around water and being outdoors. 

Fishing has also brought my kids and I together learning a new skill, its great to know that my kids could feed themselves if they needed to. (Currently only fish catch and release). The amount of time we spend outside either shore fishing or in the canoe together is time I away from the rest of the worlds distractions. 

I also love to have competitions with my son over who can catch more fish, although he usually wins. 

Fishing has also introduced me to some amazing people that I would have never met. "

What were some barriers that you had to overcome? (and maybe still battle)

"Some of the barriers that I had to overcome were just getting out and just doing it. I was so afraid to hurt a fish, I wanted to fish, and bring my kids fishing, but I didn't know how to take fish off the hooks, so I would take them fishing and hope no one caught a fish so we didn't have to worry about it. That barrier is LONG gone. 

Another I still battle is being a women, I worry about safety fishing, especially when its just my son and I. We do have conversations about if this happens, you need to do this etc. I really try to go to fishing spots that I have been to before, or fish with other people when its a new spot. The CARE program has been an amazing help for me also, when my son and I would go to the different CARE classes, I knew I could always ask the coaches questions about safe locations to fish at, or something I was struggling with. 

I never fish alone. 

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?

I know that there are brands that have come out with women's fishing gear, and I think its getting better. I don't wear any of it, when fishing, I can be found in jeans and a sweatshirt. I always wear long pants fishing. My advice to any angler is wear what makes you comfortable and keeps you protected. 

What is your favorite fishing memory or memories?

"I have so many favorite fishing memories, my mom and I took my son and daughter to this fishing hole in Cape Cod that was recommended to us by the local bait and tackle. It was a drive down this dirt road type of place, we still laugh and say what were we thinking going down there. But the kids caught a ton of fish. 

Fishing on the Flying Connie Fishing Charter, these guys are great. My kids caught so many fish, my son caught a huge trophy fluke. Kris caught his first fish ever, fish on as he was hanging over the side sea sick. 

Rocco winning his first Fishing Derby with a Carp, John helping Rocco put it in the bucket, watching Rocco wheel it over in a wagon to get weighed and measured. The best part was as he stood in line to have it measured in weighed watching him smile as people came over to him to ask him about his fish. And the watching the man try to put the Carp on the scale, asking Rocco ""Did you catch that here???"" and ""What kind of fish is that?"" I am so glad I got that all on video. 

Driving to all sorts of locations with Rocco to meet friends to fish for some of the fish on the Youth Fishing Passport Challenge. There are just so many to list. 

What advice would give to a woman who says "I would like to fish, but it does not seem to be for me"?

Get out there and fish! Go to a CARE event, they will teach you! Don't be afraid to try it. 



Please share anything else that you think would be motivational or helpful and speak to female anglers

"I absolutely love to fish. I gained most of my knowledge through the CARE program over the last couple years. My son and I started to go to the classes, and this year, I asked if I could be a Fishing Coach, because I loved to fish so much and wanted to give back to the program. I continue to learn from the amazing staff and coaches, I have also made some great friends along this journey. 

If you have kids, its a great way to get them away from electronics and out by the water. We have had some great conversations that we would not have had the opportunity with all of the other daily distractions. 

Get out there and fish! Tight Lines!"

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 

As the calendar turns to fall and leaves begin to change, so do the kokanee. A Pacific salmon (AKA Sockeye Salmon), we are most familiar with images and video of their magnificent migration from the Pacific Ocean up through rivers in the western US and Canada. Like all other Pacific salmon, the kokanee dies after it spawns.

Here in CT we offer the only Kokanee fishery east of the Mississippi River! These fish are landlocked in West Hill Pond, East Twin Lake, and some in Beach Pond (learn more). As there is not enough adequate spawning habitat to maintain the fishery, CT DEEP Fisheries biologists collect adult fish from our lakes when they are ready to spawn. The fish are transported to the Burlington State Fish Hatchery where eggs and milt are taken from the spawn ready fish. Eventually the eggs will hatch and come June 2024, about 175,000 Kokanee fry (2-3 inch fish) will be stocked back to each of the lakes. The cycle continues.

The fall stocking to support the recreational Atlantic Salmon fishery is scheduled to begin. This video offers some tips to help you catch the king of sport fish.

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 a Seahorse (Hippocampus errectus) the one of 35 species of sea horse that is native to the northeast. While it is a rare find to capture one, primarily because of their preference to cling to seaweeds and grasses, the Northern Lined Seahorse is comfortable in Long Island Sound and not a harbinger of a changing climate. Learn more about this very cool and unique fish.