2024 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.

No Foolin' - April 1 is opens the spring blackish (tog) season! Grab your crabs and head out to your favorite local rockpile, pier, or mussel bed.

Minimum Length: 16 inches

Open Season:

• April 1 - April 30 at 2 fish per angler
• July 1 - August 31 at 2 fish per angler
• October 10 - November 28 at 3 fish per angler

Trout fishing "Catch and Keep" season opens at 6:00 am April 13, 2024 in all waters except for Class 1 Wild Trout Management Areas and Year-Round Catch and Release Trout Management Areas listed below.

Class 1 WTMA: Beaver Brook (Scotland), Deep Brook, Eightmile River (Southington), Freeman Hill Brook, Hawleys Brook, Macedonia Brook, Merrick Brook, Mill River (Fairfield), Pootatuck River, Quinnipiac River, Tankerhoosen River, Wachocastinook Brook.

Year-Round Catch and Release TMA: Coppermine Brook, Farmington River, Hockanum River, Housatonic River*, Mill River (Fairfield), Moosup River*, Naugatuck River, Pequabuck River, Tenmile River (Kent), Willimantic River.

* Indicates some or all of the TMA is limited to fly fishing gear only.

The Fisheries Division is deeply saddened by the recent and unexpected passing on March 23 of our friend and colleague, Christopher L. Martin.

Chris served the State of Connecticut as a supervisor at Quinebaug Hatchery since October 23, 2017. He was a true “fish head” and loved all aspects of fish farming. He was the mastermind of keeping the fish growing and the hatchery operational during the recent renovations at Quinebaug. 

If he wasn’t caring for the trout, he was fishing. If the weather wasn’t conducive to fishing you would find him tending his gardens or smoking meat until he could go fishing again. You could find Chris walking his dogs along the Quinebaug River or Pasture Pond always stopping to help the local kids catch a fish. He was a great ambassador for the hatchery program and great friend to those who knew him. Chris had a smile and personality that we all loved. In honor of Chris please take a kid trout fishing this Spring. Learn more about Chris here.

These words of celebration were provided by friend and colleague, Bryan Decker.

Saltwater recreational fishing regulations for 2024 have been finalized. There are changes to regulations for summer flounder (fluke), scup (porgy), and black sea bass for this year – please see the website for all other marine species.

Scup:

Minimum length: 11 inches for boat anglers / 9.5 inches for shore anglers (including Enhanced Opportunity Fishing Sites)

Daily creel limit: 30 fish per angler

Open Season: May 1 - December 31

Party/Charter Vessel Bonus Season:

For paying passengers only: 30 fish per angler from May 1 - August 31 and November 1 - December 31; 40 fish per angler from September 1 - October 31

Black Sea Bass:

Minimum length:16 inches**

Daily creel limit: 5 fish per angler

Open Season: May 18 - June 23; July 8 - November 28;

Closed Season June 24 - July 7

**Excluding tail fin filament (tendril).

Fluke:

Daily creel limit: 3 fish per angler

Open Season: May 4 - August 1; 19 inch minimum length*

Open Season: August 2 - October 15; 19.5 inch minimum length*

*Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites the minimum length is 17 inches

The Marine Fisheries Division is seeking marine recreational anglers who will volunteer to participate in the Connecticut Volunteer Angler Survey (VAS) Program. Sign up here.

The VAS Program is designed to collect fishing trip and catch information from marine recreational (hook and line) anglers who volunteer to record their angling activities via a logbook. VAS anglers contribute valuable fisheries-specific information concerning striped bass, fluke, bluefish, scup, tautog, and other important finfish species used in monitoring and assessing fish populations inhabiting Connecticut marine waters.

Bring your boots, your camera, and your muscles! The Fisheries Division is seeking your help as we stock the following waters and Trout Parks on April 13. These are very popular opportunities for kids and their adult drivers to help the professionals repopulate some of our most popular trout areas! We hope to see you as we celebrate the start of "Catch and Keep" Trout Fishing on April 13, 2024. For the best experience please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the approximate stocking time listed. 

Black Rock State Park (Watertown) 10:00 a.m. 

Day Pond (Colchester) 8:00 a.m.  

Great Hollow Lake at Wolfe Park (Monroe) 10:00 a.m.  

Kent Falls State Park (Kent) 8:30 a.m.  

Lake Wintergreen (Hamden) 8:00 a.m.

McGovern Pond/Spice Bush Swamp (West Hartford) 8:00 a.m.  

Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich) 8:00 a.m.  

Pasture Pond at the Quinebaug Fish Hatchery grounds (Plainfield) 8:00 a.m.  

Southford Falls State Park (Oxford) 8:00 a.m.  

Stratton Brook State Park (Simsbury) 8:00 a.m.  

Valley Falls Pond (Vernon) 8:00 a.m.  

Wharton Brook State Park (Wallingford) 10:15 a.m.  

Heads up Chatfield Hollow State Park (Killingworth) anglers, the DEEP is currently in the midst of massive improvements for the park including enhanced parking and new roads. Please be advised that there may be portions of the park or the entire park may be temporarily closed or fully closed on various days to allow for the work to be completed safely and efficiently.

Please note that the dates below are dependent on favorable weather and field conditions and could change in an instant. The best contacts for updates on park closures and openings are Joseph Buyonje (Project Manager – 860 978 0834) and Martin Torresquintero (Park Supervisor – 203 915 9614).

April 1^st, April 2^nd, April 5^th, April 8^th – April 12^th Park will be fully closed to enable the paving of the binder course (bottom course) to be carried out in a safe and efficient manner.



April 13^{th ,} 14th Park status unknown at this time.

April 15^th – April 28^th – Park will be open with no construction going on to accommodate anglers.

April 29^th – May 3^rd – Park will be closed to enable the paving of the surface course (top course) to be carried out in a safe and efficient manner.

May 4th -5th Park open on the weekend.

May 6^th – May 10^th – Park will be closed to enable continuation of the paving of the surface course (top course) and install of necessary curbs and speed bumps to be carried out in a safe and efficient manner. 

Thank you for your understanding during our renovations.

Congratulations to Thomas Dorman who caught and released a 22.5" White Sucker at Squantz Pond. This fish increases the catch and release record by 0.5 inches. Best of luck to all who are chasing the spring sucker run! Learn more about CT's angler recognition on our Trophy Fish page.

NOTICE OF SCOPING MEETINGS AMENDMENT 10

TO THE ATLANTIC HERRING FEDERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is conducting six scoping meetings to solicit comments regarding the range of alternatives to consider in Amendment 10 (A10) to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Council is proposing to take action through A10 to address spatial and temporal allocation and management of Atlantic herring at the management unit level to minimize user conflicts, contribute to optimum yield and support rebuilding of the resource. The Council is also proposing to take action to enhance river herring (alewife and blueback herring) and shad (American shad and hickory shad) avoidance and other catch reduction measures to better support ongoing coastwide restoration efforts for those species. The Council is scheduling the scoping meetings in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Council staff will brief the public on the A10 scoping document before receiving comments on the proposed amendment. The document is available on the Council’s website http://www.nefmc.org/managementplans/herring or by contacting the Council office.

Written comments must be received on or before 8 a.m. EST, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Please note on your correspondence; “Atlantic Herring Amendment 10 Scoping Comments.”

Comments should be addressed to Cate O’Keefe, PhD, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill #2, Newburyport, MA 01950; and sent by mail or email: comments@nefmc.org.

Connecticut In person meeting and a Webinar*

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Council Meeting / Hilton Hotel 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

Phone: (860) 572-0731

*Register to participate: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3372208096915656544 Call in info: +1 (562) 247-8321; Access Code: 124-483-408

Webinar only*

 Monday, April 22, 2024 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

*Register to participate: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3923008446850127706 Call in info: +1 (562) 247-8422; Access Code: 483-032-454

Fishing is always better with a buddy - Come and join the "Fish with CARE" program at each of our four types of fishing events; Trout Parks, Freshwater Ponds (Sunfish/Bass/Channel Catfish), Saltwater Species, and Ice Fishing. We guarantee you will have fun, reduce your stress, and create memories. See our spring/summer schedule here.

The 2024 Freshwater Fishing Regulations are now available online. Download your version here in English or Spanish.

There are no regulation changes for freshwater fishing from 2023 to 2024.

However, starting this year the Freshwater and Saltwater Regulations will no longer be combined in one booklet. Marine regulations are set through a process involving many stakeholders and are not usually completed until late February. As many of you are hitting the inland waters well before March, the Fisheries Division has opted to split the two and publish the inland regulations at the start of the calendar year. Hard copies will be distributed to many town clerks and bait and tackle shops in the coming weeks.

Marine regulations will be printed in a brochure and have been updated on the DEEP webpage.

Spring trout stocking continues! Since 2/21, our State Fish Hatchery stocking trucks have been on the move. The Fisheries Division plans to stock roughly 500,000 trout between February and May. Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Tiger Trout are all scheduled. The majority of the trout will range between 10-12”, and close to 20% will be >12”, some much larger! Please get out and enjoy. These fish are for you! 

Follow the 2024 trout stocking with

Facebook Posts (Wednesday and Friday)

Interactive Map

Daily Report

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 will be offered in spring of 2024, information to get involved can be found HERE!

If you have classes, events, or meetings you would like us to share as a "Fishing Buddy" please email information to mike.beauchene@ct.gov.

Kids Stocking: The weekend of events starts on Friday April 12th at 5:00 PM where the Trophy Trout Club along with the Harding Fish Hatchery holds its river stocking event for the kids at the far end of School Street, Riverton. Children along with their families hand-carry hundreds of trophy fish from the truck to the river and place them in the water. The excitement displayed by the kids is magical and infectious. For many, it is their first experience holding a live fish. A family feel-good event not to be missed!

Saturday April 13th is Derby Day. The Riverton Volunteer Fire Company hosts their annual pancake breakfast which starts at 4:00 AM. The siren sounds off at 6:00 AM to signal the start of the derby. Anglers vie for the donated prizes in both adult and youth (15-and-under) categories as well as the coveted Grand Prize, a one-off fishing themed Hitchcock chair. A kids derby for those 12-and-under held at Zak’s Pool at the end of School Street also starts at 6:00 AM with prizes given out there as well. Fish weigh-in occurs throughout the morning at the Riverton Firehouse with the contest ending at 10:00 AM and the awards ceremony immediately following.

Farmington River Anglers Association: The Farmington River Anglers Association is holding their annual river cleanup on Saturday April 20th from 9-1, rain or shine. Location is the Hurley Building parking lot, 37 Greenwoods Road, New Hartford.

Great little club to join and get active in if you love fishing!

Naugatuck- Pomperaug Trout Unlimited

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

Last month's mystery fish was the humble and often forgotten Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), which is one of Connecticut’s true harbingers of spring.

Historically, you could time their arrival to Connecticut’s coastal rivers and streams to the first gargled mating calls of the shy wood frog, or the boisterous orchestra of mating spring peepers on a warm and rainy March night following a few warm and sunny days. These anadromous (a term for a species of fish that lives its adult life in the ocean, but spawns in freshwater) river herring species, time their arrival each spring to coincide with water temperatures in the mid 40’s and historically ran well into May, filling these streams with life during a time when most inland water bodies are still nutrient poor and shaking to life after a long winter slumber.

This run of fish historically provided a run of life for resident fish, birds, and wildlife species as well as native peoples and early settlers who relied on these fish as a food source. The most recognizable species that relies on the spring Alewife migration is the Osprey, arriving just a few short days after the Alewives arrive in mid-late march. The loud squeaks from the hovering osprey often lead anglers and sight-seers to the nearby herring runs where they can watch these birds feast on the spring bounty. As sight that historically reminded those along the Connecticut coast that spring was finally upon us.

Sadly, In more recent history, their arrival is often random, short-lived, and plagued with poor returning numbers. Runs that once support 100,000’s in CT now see just a few 1,000, frequently forcing osprey and other birds of prey, like blue herons, elsewhere for their food.

Alewife and their sister species, Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis), are both suffering from reduced numbers in Southern New England and have been since the late 90’s and early 2000’s when the then CT DEP (now DEEP) was forced to put a full recreational moratorium on the take of this species in 2002. A long history of dam building, water pollution, and over fishing were to blame, squeezing these fish closer and closer to the brink of non-existence.

All is not lost however. Connecticut has been at the forefront of river herring restoration since the 1990’s, removing dozens of dams, building over 50 coastal fishways, stocking and reestablishing historic Alewife runs, and working to protect and clean up our coastal rivers and streams. During this time, Alewives have had some victories, large and small, but the variability in these runs continues to plague southern New England, with at sea mortality appearing to be the largest culprit.

Currently, work by the dedicated members of the New England Fishery Management Council, is underway to enhance river herring avoidance and catch reduction in the Atlantic Herring fishery through the Amendment 10 scoping process (See "Alewife Meeting" section above for more info). This process allows for the public to submit comment/speak their concerns over this, and other topics, within the Atlantic herring management plan to help guide the Council in their process to amend the plan. All individuals and organizations are welcome to write to the council to express their thoughts and concerns surrounding enhancing river herring avoidance and catch reductions in the Atlantic Herring fishery. For more info or questions about Alewife and herring, please reach out to Kevin.job@ct.gov

If you happened to miss one a month or two, feel free to get caught up!

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