2008 Connecticut ANGLER’S GUIDE OPENING DAY OF TROUT SEASON: APRIL 19, 2008 MARINE REGULATIONS: PAGES 42-43 INLAND REGULATIONS: PAGES 4-6 DIDYMO PAGES page 37 12 & 13 Visit our website at: ZEBRA MUSSEL www.ct.gov/dep WATER CHESTNUT State of Connecticut RUSTY CRAYFISH Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources Inland Fisheries Division Marine Fisheries Division The Connecticut Angler’s Guide is published annually by the DIRECTORY OF SERVICES State of Connecticut M. Jodi Rell, Governor DEP CENTRAL OFFICES (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) PHONE DEP website ............................................ www.ct.gov/dep NUMBERS INLAND FISHERIES DIVISION (Central Office) .............................860-424-FISH(3474) Department of Environmental Protection MARINE FISHERIES DIVISION Gina McCarthy, Commissioner (Headquarters - Old Lyme) .................. 860-434-6043 Bureau of Natural Resources ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Edward C. Parker, Chief POLICE ................................................. 860-424-3012 PARKS AND RECREATION ......................... 860-424-3200 Inland Fisheries Division William A. Hyatt, Director WILDLIFE ......................................................860-424-3011 FORESTRY .................................................. 860-424-3630 Marine Fisheries Division GENERAL DEP INFORMATION 860-424-3000 Eric M. Smith, Director LICENSING AND REVENUE ....................... 860-424-3105 Department of Environmental Protection DEP STORE (Maps & Publications) ............. 860-424-3555 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT 06106-5127 FIELD SERVICES (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) The Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, providing programs and services in a fair and EASTERN HEADQUARTERS ...................... 860-295-9523 impartial manner. In conformance with the American with Disabilities Act, WESTERN HEADQUARTERS ..................... 860-485-0226 DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons MARINE LAW ENFORCEMENT .................. 860-434-9840 with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities needing auxiliary aids or service, BOATING SAFETY AND EDUCATION ........ 860-434-8638 or for more information by voice or TTY/TDD, call 860-424-3000. OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS This Guide is intended to provide a summary of the more AQUACULTURE DIVISION (DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE) (Shellfish) ............................................... 203-874-0696 important rules and regulations governing sport fishing OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILL RESPONSE in Connecticut and to assist in the enjoyment of the DIVISION .............................................. 860-424-3338 angling experience. For legal purposes, the Regulations TIP HOTLINE ........................................... 1-800-842-4357 of Connecticut State Agencies and the General Statutes DEP-Emergency Dispatch ......................... 860-424-3333 of Connecticut must be consulted. 2008 FISHING FORECAST Anglers, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, and Marine: Anglers can expect excellent fishing Batterson Park Pond. The popularity of in 2008. The Nutmeg State offers year round Diversity makes for Great Fishing in our Trout Parks continues to grow among fishing action that few places can rival. Connecticut! Trout, walleye, pike, catfish, striped bass, bluefish, scup, largemouth bass, young anglers and families. New Urban With over 100 species of fish found in Long smallmouth bass, blackfish, fluke, ... the list Fishing Waters at Beardsley Park Pond, Island Sound, anglers can enjoy some of goes on and on. If you’re looking for great Lake Wintergreen, Keney Park Pond and the very best striped bass, bluefish, summer fishing in the Northeast then Connecticut is Mohegan Park Pond will provide good fishing flounder, scup and tautog fishing along the place to be. Avid anglers will love the for trout and channel catfish. Salmon anglers the entire coast. Striped bass and bluefish will continue to experience thrills as huge are abundant, tautog, black sea bass and FORECAST challenge of matching wits with wily trout in our TMAs, the sophistication of competitive bass broodstock salmon are released into the hickory shad stocks are also increasing, fishing, or night fishing for huge stripers in Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers. summer flounder and scup are responding to management plans. An example of the 2008 Long Island Sound, the tranquility of our trout parks, or the simple fun of fishing for scup off excellent fishing; in 2007 over 90 trophy a jetty or pier. Whatever your fishing pleasure, fish awards were issued with three new you’re sure to find it here in Connecticut. state records. Thanks to the support and participation of recreational anglers, effective This year I am again asking all Connecticut fishery management practices are working. anglers to join forces with DEP’s No Child The State of Connecticut offers anglers Left Inside initiative. There is no better countless fishing opportunities with many boat way to introduce children to the outdoors launches, excellent shore fishing locations at than through the sport of fishing. The thrill coastal state parks, and convenient party and of catching a fish is a sure way to provide charter boat fishing. a gift that will last a lifetime. You’ll also be developing our next generation of anglers and Please contact our Inland Fisheries Office conservationists. Please make a commitment (860-424-3474) or our Marine Fisheries Office to take a youngster fishing in 2008. (860-434-6043) for more information or if you have any questions. Experience what the 2008 fishing season has to offer. Good luck & good fishing in 2008, DEP hatchery maintainer Tom Fitzgerald with one Inland: Walleye fishing will continue to of the large broodstock Atlantic salmon at DEP’s Edward C. Parker improve at Beach Pond, Lake Housatonic, Kensington Hatchery. Chief, Bureau of Natural Resources OPENING day: APRIL 19th, 2008 CONTENTS LICENSES TABLE OF CONTENTS table INLAND LICENSES 2008 FISHING FORECAST ................................................ Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older DIRECTORY OF SERVICES PHONE NUMBERS .............. fishing in the Inland District (see page 39 for demarcation between OF Inland and Marine Districts). Most licenses are issued on a calendar INLAND FISHERIES year basis and expire on December 31st. LICENSES ...........................................................................3 licenses AVailable at toWN halls, many tackle CURRENT INLAND REGULATIONS ..............................4-6 retailers, AND IN PERSON OR BY PHONE FROM THE DEP NEW PROGRAMS ..............................................................4 store (860-424-3555): ATLANTIC SALMON BROODSTOCK FISHERY.................7 Resident and Armed Forces Members* ALEWIVES & BLUEBACK HERRING .................................7 LAW ENFORCEMENT ........................................................8 Fishing $20.00 RESPONSIBLE ANGLING .................................................8 Fishing & Small Game Firearms Hunting $28.00 PERMITS .............................................................................9 Nonresident DEFINITIONS ............................................................... 10-11 Season Fishing $40.00 INVASIVE SPECIES .....................................................12-13 Three Day Fishing $16.00 ARE THE FISH I CATCH SAFE TO EAT? .........................14 Fishing & Small Game Firearms Hunting $88.00 DISABLED ACCESS .........................................................15 SPECIAL LICENSES AVAILABLE ONLY FROM YOUR TOWN RECORD FRESHWATER FISH ........................................15 HALL: LAKES & PONDS ........................................................16-26 LICENSES Senior Citizen Lifetime Fishing License (65 and older) Free RIVERS AND STREAMS .............................................27-37 Mentally Retarded or Blind Lifetime Fishing** Free DIDYMO -THREAT TO TROUT STREAMS......................37 Disabled Persons Lifetime Fishing*** Free FAMILY FISHING (CARE program)...................................38 Disabled Persons Lifetime Fishing & Firearms Hunting*** Free QUINEBAUG HATCHERY FISHING PONDS ...................38 This Guide is intended to provide a summary of the more *Any active, full-time member of the armed forces may be issued important rules and regulations governing sport fishing a fishing and/or small game firearms license for the resident fee. MARINE FISHERIES in Connecticut and to assist in the enjoyment of the Proof of membership during the calender year must be carried while LINE BETWEEN INLAND and MARINE DISTRICTS........ 39 angling experience. For legal purposes, the Regulations using the license. MARINE ANGLER SURVEY PROGRAM ..........................40 of Connecticut State Agencies and the General Statutes ** Issuance of a free license to the blind or mentally retarded requires IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS ..............................................40 of Connecticut must be consulted. proof of disability in the form of a certificate provided by any person MARINE VOLUNTEER SURVEY PROGRAM ..................41 licensed to practice medicine in this state. CATCH & RELEASE TIPS ................................................41 *** Any resident with the loss of a limb or the loss of the use of a CURRENT MARINE REGULATIONS ..........................42-43 limb and a doctor’s certificate may be issued a free license. Qualified RULES COVERING CRABS, LOBSTERS, nonresidents who are residents of states which allow CT residents SHELLFISH,