Connecticut Waters Open for Fishing Season

With trout season moved forward by a week this year due to new sport fishing regulations, anglers took to the water Saturday, April 11 for the opening day of fishing season.

"We are excited about the additional fishing opportunities provided to anglers with this change to an earlier Opening Day. This change provides an additional week of fishing opportunities for both resident and non-resident anglers targeting trout or fishing for other species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass found in trout waters," Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Robert Klee said in a statement. "Additionally, most of the state's school-age anglers will also now have the opportunity to fish for trout during their spring breaks, as Opening Day will now come at the beginning of that school vacation for most school systems in Connecticut."

Over 341,000 trout were expected to be stocked in 100 lakes and ponds and 190 rivers and streams in Connecticut for opening day, but DEEP said that cold temperatures, residual snow and ice have made stocking a challenge.

"Stocking well over three hundred thousand fish prior to Opening Day is a monumental task in the best weather," Pete Aarrestad, Director of DEEP's Inland Fisheries Division, said in a statement. "Due to the prolonged winter freeze and morning temperatures in the single digits, trout stocking got off to an unprecedented slow start in late February and early March. In spite of significant weather related setbacks we still hope to stock most of the usual water bodies that have historically been done prior to Opening Day. Should some areas not get stocked, we will provide that information to anglers prior to Opening Day via both print and electronic media."

Anglers who are 16 to 17 years old can get fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for the year at half the price adults pay, according to DEEP.

Fishermen can get the latest information on places where trout are stocked on the state's fishing and wildlife Facebook page and can review fishing regulations in the 2015 CT Angler's guide available at over 350 sites in the state from town halls to bait and tackles shops. Electronic versions of the guide are also available on DEEP's website.  More fishing and vendor information is also available on DEEP's fishing page or by calling 860-424-3105.

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