Share the Experience—Take Someone Fishing • APRIL 8 Opening Day Trout Fishing 2017 CONNECTICUT ANGLER’S GUIDE INLAND & MARINE FISHING »New Marine Regulations for 2017 See page 58 YOUR SOURCE For CT Fishing Information Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection www.ct.gov/deep/fishing FISHING REGULATIONS GUIDE - GA TRIM: . 8˝ X 10-1/2˝ (AND VARIOUS OTHER STATES) BLEED: . 8-1/4˝ X 10-3/4˝ SAFETY: . 7˝ X 10˝ TRIM TRIM SAFETY TRIM BLEED BLEED SAFETY BLEED BLEED TRIM TRIM SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY TRIM TRIM BLEED BLEED TRIM TRIM TRIM BLEED BLEED SAFETY SAFETY Client: Progressive Job No: 16D00890 Created by: Dalon Wolford Applications: InDesign CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC Job Description: Full Page, 4 Color Ad Document Name: Bass ad / Fishing Regulations Guide - GA and various other states Final Trim Size: 7-7/8˝ X 10-1/2˝ Final Bleed: 8-1/8˝ X 10-13/16˝ Safety: 7˝ X 10˝ Date Created: 11/7/16 2017 CONNECTICUT ANGLER’S GUIDE INLAND REGULATIONS INLAND & MARINE FISHING Easy two-step process: 1. Check the REGULATION TABLE (page 21) for general statewide Contents regulations. General Fishing Information 2. Look up the waterbody in the LAKE AND PONDS Directory of Services Phone Numbers .............................2 (pages 32–41) or RIVERS AND STREAMS (pages 44–52) Licenses .......................................................................... 10 listings to find any special regulations. Permits ............................................................................ 11 National Saltwater Registry Program ............................. 11 Trophy Fish Award Affidavit ............................................ 12 Trophy Fish Awards ......................................................... 13 Bait and Tackle Shops .................................................... 14 Law Enforcement ............................................................ 16 Are The Fish I Catch Safe To Eat? .................................. 17 Aquatic Invasive Species .......................................... 18–19 Responsible Angling .......................................................20 Inland Fisheries Inland Recreational Fishing Regulations ........................21 Definitions .................................................................26–27 Disabled Access .............................................................27 Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Fishery ..............................28 Alewives & Blueback Herring ..........................................28 Neighborhood Fishing Opportunities .............................30 Record Freshwater Fish ..................................................31 Lakes & Ponds .......................................................... 32–41 A Guide to Catchable Freshwater Fish .....................42–43 Rivers & Streams .......................................................44–52 Marine Fisheries Line Between Marine & Inland Districts ..........................54 LEARN TO FISH: Free Classes, Page 6 Fishing in Coastal State Parks ........................................55 The Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) Program Enhanced Fishing Opportunities ....................................56 will introduce you and your family to the fun of fishing. Expert instruction, hands-on activities and a fishing trip will lead to Marine Angler Survey .....................................................57 wonderful time spent outside with your family or friends. Marine Volunteer Angler Survey Program ......................57 Marine Recreational Regulations ....................................58 Rules Covering Crabs, Lobsters, Shellfish & Bait ..........60 Coastal Boat Launches ...................................................61 ON THE COVER State Record Marine Fish ...............................................62 Derek Angel with a nice Bluefish caught using a Tide Table ........................................................................64 clouser minnow on the dropping tide at Silver Sands State Park, Milford. Photo by Nick Walsh. This high quality, scenic, and colorful photo was Opening Day: April 8th, 2017 selected from over 250 entries and represents the quality shoreline fishing that can be found at the Enhanced Shoreline Fishing Opportunity Sites (page 56), coastal State Parks page 55), and FREE FISHING DAY 2017 through state-owned boat launches. May 13th—no license required. TO REPORT A WILDLIFE VIOLATION For updates to the 2017 CT Angler’s Guide and other Call 1-800-842-HELP fishing information see: 24 Hours Toll Free • All Calls Confidential www.ct.gov/deep/fishing CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection 2017 CONNECTICUT ANGLER’S GUIDE INLAND & MARINE FISHING The Connecticut Angler’s Guide is published annually by the State of Connecticut Dannel P. Malloy, Governor Department of Energy & Marine Fisheries Program Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL Environmental Protection Mark Alexander, Assistant Director Robert Klee, Commissioner Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources 79 Elm Street William A. Hyatt, Chief Hartford, CT 06106-5127 www.ct.gov/deep About This Guide Fisheries Division Peter J. Aarrestad, Director This high-quality guide is offered to you by the Connecticut Department of Energy The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal & Environmental Protection through Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or [email protected] if you: have a disability its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information Publishing, LLC. in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. The revenue generated through ad sales This Guide is intended to provide a summary of the more important rules and regulations governing significantly lowers production costs and sport fishing in Connecticut and to assist in the enjoyment of the angling experience. For legal purposes, generates savings. These savings translate the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the Connecticut General Statutes must be consulted. into additional funds for other important NOTICE: Some advertisements in this publication may state that “No sales tax” is due. This is because the retailer is agency programs. located in a state that does not impose sales or use tax, and the retailer is not registered to collect Connecticut sales and use taxes. While you may not have to pay sales tax in the state where you bought the goods or services, you must If you have any feedback or are inter- pay Connecticut use tax on taxable goods or services purchased for use in Connecticut. For more information, see ested in advertising, please contact us at the Department of Revenue Services’ Informational Publication 2011(15), Q&A on the Connecticut Individual Use Tax: 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/publications/pubsip/2011/ip2011-15.pdf Graphic Design: Directory of Services Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, For additional information the following DEEP offices may be contacted from 8:30 a.m. to Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski 4:30 p.m. Please note that the DEEP – Licensing and Revenue Permit Sales Office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note that the Sales Office closes at noon before major holidays and may close early during periods of severe weather. DEEP website ...........................www.ct.gov/deep Parks & Recreation...............860-424-3200 Fisheries Division Wildlife ...................................860-424-3011 (Central Office) ........................860-424-3474 Forestry .................................860-424-3630 Inland Fisheries.....................860-424-3474 General DEEP Information ...860-424-3000 Licensing & Revenue ............860-424-3105 Marine Fisheries Program (Headquarters—Old Lyme) .....860-434-6043 DEEP Store (Maps & Publications) ............860-424-3555 Environmental Conservation Police .............860-424-3012 Field Services Questions concerning hunting, trapping, fishing, boating, camping, recreational use of state lands, forestry, and law enforcement may be directed to one of the following field offices (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Eastern Area Marine Law Headquarters ........................860-295-9523 Enforcement..........................860-434-9840 Western Area Boating Safety Headquarters ........................860-485-0226 and Education .......................860-434-8638 Marine Headquarters ...........860-434-6148 Other Useful Numbers This guide is also Aquaculture Division (Dept. Of Agriculture) Oil And Chemical Spill Shellfish .................................203-874-0696 Response Division ................860-424-3338 available online at 24 Hour Emergency Numbers Toll free report a violation ....1-800-842-4357 DEEP Emergency Dispatch 860-424-3333 2 2017 Connecticut Angler’s Guide SAVE TODAY. SMOOTH WATER TOMORROW. See how much you could save on boat insurance. for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | local offi ce Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by Seaworthy Insurance Company, a GEICO company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko Image