Connecticut Ready for Opening of Fishing Season

Opening Day of the Trout Fishing Season is Saturday, April 20th and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and ponds stocked and ready. Approximately 381,000 trout have already been released this spring into 102 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut and are awaiting Opening Day anglers. DEEP’s spring trout stocking effort began in early March and will continue through the end of May. When the spring stockings are completed, DEEP expects to have stocked over 630,000 trout.

“Opening Day is an exciting time for Connecticut’s many trout anglers, and they can look forward to exceptional fishing this season,” said Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of DEEP. “The fish are in excellent condition, nearly all of our trout waters are stocked and anglers can enjoy a wide range of fishing options. Additionally, Opening Day is a special time for many families, the traditional first time to get outdoors together after winter.”

Among the best places for families to fish on Opening Day are the designated Trout Parks. “Trout Parks are easily accessible, have picnic areas and other amenities nearby, and are stocked frequently so that there are plenty of trout for children, families, and novice anglers to catch,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources. “And as an added feature, families will be able to help stock trout at eight of the Trout Parks on Opening Day. We have found that these stockings are a real highlight for many families.”

Ten of the Trout Parks have already been stocked by the DEEP, including the areas that are scheduled to be stocked again on Opening Day: Black Rock Pond (Watertown), Chatfield Hollow State Park (Killingworth), Southford Falls State Park (Oxford), Stratton Brook State Park (Simsbury), Wharton Brook State Park (Wallingford), Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich), Valley Falls Park Pond (Vernon) and Great Hollow Pond/Wolfe Park (Monroe). Each of the Trout Parks stocked on Opening Day will receive 400-450 trout (see table on last page for times). All the remaining Trout Parks will be re-stocked shortly after Opening Day and all Trout Parks will be stocked multiple times through May. The Trout Park at Kent Falls State Park, which is currently closed due to ongoing renovations, has not yet been stocked this year. DEEP does expect to stock the Kent Falls Trout Park once it reopens in early May.

DEEP has again stocked the Community Fishing Areas at Keney Park Pond (Hartford), Lake Wintergreen (Hamden), Bunnells Pond (Bridgeport), Mohegan Park Pond (also managed as a Trout Park) and Upper Fulton Park Pond (Waterbury) with trout for Opening Day. Begun in 2006 as part of the “No Child Left Inside” initiative, Community Fishing Areas are intended to enhance fishing opportunities in Connecticut’s major population centers.

Among the recently stocked trout are nearly 250 Seeforellen-strain broodstock brown trout from the Kensington State Fish Hatchery that were released into nine lakes scattered throughout the state. The broodstock Seeforellen strain brown trout released this spring generally weighed between 4 and 14 pounds each. In eastern Connecticut, Cedar Lake (Chester), Crystal Lake (Ellington), Long Pond (Ledyard/North Stonington) and Mashapaug Lake (Union) received Seeforellens. In western Connecticut, West Hill Pond (New Hartford/Barkhamsted) and Highland Lake (Winchester), Stillwater Pond (Torrington), Tyler Lake (Goshen) and West Side Pond (Goshen) were stocked with Seeforellens. As an added bonus, each of the eight Trout Parks being stocked on Opening Day will also be stocked with 7-10 Seeforellen broodstock.

Many trout fishing areas do have special regulations, including Trout Parks (which have a two trout per day creel limit), Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Sea-Run Trout Streams and Wild Trout Management Areas. Anglers should consult the 2013 CT Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Electronic versions of the 2013 Guide can be found on the DEEP website at (www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide). Print versions of the 2013 Angler’s Guide are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds.

Fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing. Additionally, you can find DEEP Fisheries and Wildlife information directly on Facebook. This page features a variety of information on fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching in Connecticut. The address is www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife. This spring, anglers will find updates on DEEP’s trout stockings on both the website and on the Fisheries and Wildlife Facebook page. Maps of all of the state’s trout streams and rivers showing the many stocking and access points can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/troutstockingmaps.

Anglers can purchase their 2013 fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEEP website (www.ct.gov/deep/fishing) or call DEEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).