2015 preseason trout stocking well under way despite challenging winter conditions
Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds anglers that recent changes to sport fishing regulations included moving the date of opening day of trout season forward by one week, from the third to the second Saturday in April. This means opening day for the 2015 season is April 11.
“We are excited about the additional fishing opportunities provided to anglers with this change to an earlier opening day,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “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.
“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,” said Klee.
DEEP reminds school-age anglers ages 16 and 17 that they can obtain their 2015 fishing, hunting and trapping licenses at half the adult price (most hunting permits, stamps and tags will also be half price for 16- and 17-year-olds).
DEEP expects to stock over 341,000 trout in waters across the state in time for opening day. Nearly 100 lakes and ponds and 190 rivers and streams are scheduled for stocking. The very cold temperatures, prolonged heavy snow pack and icy conditions have been challenging for DEEP stocking efforts.
“Stocking well over 300,000 fish prior to opening day is a monumental task in the best weather,” said Pete Aarrestad, director of DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. “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.”
Trout anglers looking to test out their gear prior to the start of trout season can visit one of the state’s 15 Trout Management Areas (TMA); all are open for pre-season catch-and-release fishing. While many of the TMA’s have yet to be stocked, they should all have reasonably good fishing from fall trout stockings.
So far this spring, the Farmington River (above and below the year-round catch-and-release area), Hockanum River, Naugatuck River, Sleeping Giant (Mill River, Hamden) and Willimantic River TMAs have been stocked. Other TMA’s scheduled for stocking before opening day are located on the Hammonasset River, Hockanum River, Mianus River, Mill River (Fairfield), Moosup River, Pequabuck River (including Coppermine Brook), Salmon River, Saugatuck River and Yantic River. Anglers can access up-to-date information about where and when trout are stocked on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ctfishandwildlife.
Anglers should consult the 2015 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Printed versions of the 2015 Angler’s Guide are now available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait and tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds.
Anglers are advised there are several errors in the print version where the date for opening day was not updated to reflect the recent change from the third Saturday in April to the second Saturday in April. The electronic versions of the Guide can be found on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide and have been fully corrected.
Additional fishing and fisheries related information is on the DEEP web site at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing. The web site has a wealth of information including trout stocking location maps, annual fish stocking summary report, the very popular Youth Fishing Passport Program, and when you catch the big one, criteria for Trophy Fish Awards.
Save the last-minute running around and purchase your 2015 fishing licenses directly online, or if you prefer, at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEEP website listed above or call DEEP Licensing and Revenue at 860-424-3105.
