Celebrate Spring Fishing Day April 9

#Middlebury #Fishing #Trout

(HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) encourages residents to get out and celebrate “Spring Fishing Day” this Saturday, April 9, by going fishing or joining the DEEP Fisheries Division at a fish stocking event happening at selected Trout Parks around the state.

Trout fishing is now open year-round, per Public Act 21-12. The second Saturday in April has traditionally marked the start of trout fishing season in Connecticut, and as such, DEEP would like to continue to celebrate all the fishing opportunities a new spring brings on this day. DEEP has been stocking the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and ponds since mid-February, and over 477,000 trout are planned to be released this spring into nearly 100 lakes and ponds and 130 rivers and streams located throughout Connecticut.

The DEEP Fisheries Division plans to conduct a number of stocking events throughout the state on April 9. Among the best places for families to fish are the 13 designated Trout Park ponds or the 15 Community Fishing Waters (CFWs).

“Trout Parks and Community Fishing Waters 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 Pete Aarrestad, Director of DEEP’s Fisheries Division. “And as an added feature, families and young anglers will be able to help stock trout at ten of the Trout Parks (includes ponds and streams) on Spring Fishing Day. We have found that these stocking events are a real highlight for many families. Please come help us stock trout.”

The CFW’s are scattered throughout the state in cities and large towns and are managed to provide fishing opportunities in or close to urban areas. With water and air temperatures just beginning to warm up, boaters are reminded to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Whether fishing from a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or outboard, a PFD can save your life should you capsize.

Anglers can find more information on trout stocking online including an interactive trout stocking map (www.ct.gov/deep/troutstockingmaps). This mobile friendly application provides the number of days since the last stocking at each of our stocked waters enabling anglers to search for their favorite waterbody, find a new favorite, or look for those that have been stocked most recently.

Trout anglers ages 16 and older are reminded that they may need to purchase a Trout & Salmon Stamp. This stamp is required to fish in any designated Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area,Trout Park, or Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Area and for anglers harvesting trout or salmon anywhere throughout the state. There are several exemptions from the requirements for a Trout & Salmon stamp.

Holders of lifetime fishing licenses issued to persons that are blind, have an intellectual disability, or have certain physical disabilities are exempt from the requirement. Additionally, those fishing waters that are not stocked by the state, but have been stocked by another entity such as a fish and game club pond or by a town or organization for a local fishing derby, do not need the stamp. The fees for the Trout & Salmon Stamp are $5 for resident anglers who are 18 and older, $3 for CT residents ages 16 or 17 and $5 for nonresident anglers age 16 and older. Information on the stamp can be found in the 2019 CT fishing guide and online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.

Anglers are reminded that many trout fishing areas have special regulations, including Trout Parks, Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Trout Management Areas, Sea-Run Trout Streams and Wild Trout Management Areas. Anglers should consult the 2022 Digital CT Fishing Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. The guide is now available online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishingguide.Fishing and fisheries-related information can be found on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.

DEEP Fisheries and Wildlife information can also be found directly on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife. This page features a variety of information on fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching in Connecticut. Anglers can find updates on DEEP’s trout stockings on both the Fisheries and Wildlife Facebook page and on the DEEP website. 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.

You can purchase your 2022 fishing licenses and Trout & Salmon Stamps directly online through our mobile friendly site. You can also obtain them at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices. Remember that fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for 16 and 17 year olds are reduced from the adult rate (most hunting and fishing permits, stamps and tags are also reduced for 16 and 17 year olds). For a complete list of fishing license vendors, visit the DEEP website (www.ct.gov/deep/fishing) or call

DEEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105). 100% of revenues from fishing licenses and other fisheries permits support DEEP’s fisheries programs, including trout rearing and stocking, purchase of fish such as pike and walleye, land acquisition for conservation and fishing access, fish restoration and monitoring programs, and more!

The following is a list of the designated Trout Parks in Connecticut being stocked as we celebrate Let’s Celebrate Spring Fishing Day on April 9, 2022. The approximate stocking times are given.

• Black Rock State Park (Watertown) 10:00 am
• Chatfield Hollow State Park (Killingworth) 10:00 am
• Day Pond (Colchester) 8:00 am
• Kent Falls State Park (Kent) 8:30 am
• McGovern Pond (West Hartford) TBD
• Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich) 8:00 am
• Pasture Pond (Plainfield) TBD
• Southford Falls State Park (Oxford) 8:00 am
• Stratton Brook State Park (Simsbury) 8:00 am
• Valley Falls Pond (Vernon) 8:00 am
• Wharton Brook State Park (Wallingford) 10:15 am
• Wolfe Park – Great Hollow Pond (Monroe) 10:00 am

Note – all times approximate