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2019 Fishing Licenses
are
on sale
now. 100% of your investment in licenses, tags, permits, and stamps comes to the Bureau of Natural Resources in support of Fisheries and Wildlife programs.
Blue Crabbing is a great summer time activity for the entire family and provides some absolutely delicious seafood. Need info? Check out our Fact sheet. No need to get sophisticated - all you need is a net, string, and some chicken legs or wings for bait. No fishing license is required to crab, however, there is a minimum size to keep. Crabs with a hard shell must be 5 inches from spike to spike. Soft-shell crabs must be 3.5 inches from spike to spike. There is no daily limit on the number of keeper size crabs you can take.
Striped bass fishing regulations are going to change in 2020, and DEEP is looking for your opinions and comments on this issue. Please consider taking a brief (2-3 min)
survey to share your thoughts on striped bass regulations.
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PORGY (SCUP)
fishing really heats up in July. These hard fighting and very tasty fish can be caught from many shoreline locations! Hot spots from shore include the fishing piers at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London or Fort Nathan Hale Park in New Haven, or the rocky shorelines of Harkness State Park in Waterford or Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
You're sure to get into a hot porgy bite and load up on delicious fillets by going on Connecticut Charter Boat bottom fishing trip. Charter Boats are great for everyone, from new fishers and families to seasoned veterans - they will put you on the fish!
Porgy will eagerly take your offering of squid, clam, or sand worms fished on the bottom. They are very adept at stealing your bait so be attentive to your line. A subtle tap-tap then set the hook. Your catch rate will increase if you can use small hooks and small pieces of bait. Try fishing piers, rocky structure, mussel beds, and reefs.
Porgy must be 9 inches in length to keep, however, at Enhanced Shore Opportunity Sites the minimum size is 8 inches. Each person can keep up to 30 Porgy per day.
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COMMON CARP
are the largest freshwater fish (by weight) found in the waters of Connecticut. This introduced (but not invasive) member of the minnow family is commonly caught in the 25-35 pound range, with some 40+ pound monsters out there! Take a look at our Carp Fishing Primer for more information on the basics of Carp Fishing.
Connecticut boasts some incredible fishing for these giants. The daily limit to keep Carp is 5 per person with only one fish greater then 30 inches. To ensure anglers have an opportunity to catch a 40+ pound fish, the Fisheries Division has designated several "Trophy Carp Waters" where the MAXIMUM size is 26 inches and only one Carp per day.
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| FISHING SPOT OF THE MONTH |
Crescent Lake in Southington is this month's hot spot. At just over 50 acres, this former drinking water reservoir is open to the public for fishing. Boats are allowed by paddle or electric motor only (all internal combustion motors are prohibited). The lake features bountiful sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Calico Bass, and Yellow Perch. This past May, the Fisheries Division stocked approximately 1,600 Channel Catfish that averaged 14 inches and about 2 pounds. There is good shoreline fishing access all along the trail that originates in the parking area. Good luck and enjoy this beautiful lake.
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| YOUTH FISHING PASSPORT - SUMMER ACTIVITIES |
With school out for the summer, now is the perfect time to get or renew the
Youth Fishing Passport for your budding fisher-folk under the age of 16. The
Fishing Challenge and
Geo-catching are two year-long fun filled fishing challenges to fill your summer with quality family time.
Download your fishing challenge scorecard and get catching!
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Land Your Family on the 2020 Fishing Guide Cover
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We are currently looking for the best "Family Fishing" photo for the cover of the 2020 CT DEEP Fishing Guide. Please visit our web page for
contest details. Photos to contend for the cover should be high resolution, colorful, and represent the great fishing Connecticut has to offer. We especially want to see the family together as a group in the photo. Email your entries to
deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov
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2019 Fishing Guide in Espanol
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The Fishing Guide for 2019 has been printed in Spanish and is now available at
many locations around the state or
online.
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This Month's Mystery Fish
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The Trout and Salmon Stamp
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With approval by the Legislative Regulations Review Committee on February 27, 2018, Connecticut has a Trout and Salmon Stamp. 100% of the money invested in this stamp is guaranteed to support fisheries programs. Please visit our FAQ page or email deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov with questions. A summary is provided below.
Anyone age 16 or older including everyone who is age 65 or older who chooses to do one or both of the following must purchase a trout and salmon stamp:
1. FISH in one of the following areas: Trout Park, Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area, or a Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Area.
2. HARVEST (keep) trout, Kokanee Salmon, or Atlantic Salmon anywhere in the state (except for waters stocked at no expense to the state).
The fee is $5.00 for age 18 and older and $3.00 for those 16-17. The stamp is good for the calendar year (expires on December 31).
The Trout and Salmon Stamp will print on your fishing license as an additional privilege.
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Last month's
Mystery Fish
was a juvenile Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris). These fish commonly grow to 15-20 inches long! They are found along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida.
The Hickory Shad is a member of the herring family and are anadromous, which means they migrate from saltwater into freshwater to spawn. Unlike other CT herrings that are filter feeders eating zooplankton, the Hickory Shad preys on small fish.
Hickory Shad are commonly found in bays and mouths of large rivers in CT during the summer and fall months. They travel into freshwater and are regular visitors all the way up to Wethersfield Cove on the CT River!
Hickory Shad are not good eating but a prized sportfish - known for their acrobatic fighting and leaping ability! In fact, they are referred to as "Poor Man's Tarpon". A fantastic spot to try your luck at catching one of these "Poor Man's Tarpon" is the DEEP Marine Headquarters Fishing Pier, Old Lyme. Use light tackle and cast small flashy spinners, spoons or jigs from the pier.
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License Fees Fund Hunting & Fishing Programs
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Each time you purchase a license your contribution goes to support hunting, fishing, and open space right here in CT.
So, the next time you see a bald eagle, harvest a white-tail, pheasant, or turkey, or catch a brown trout or striped bass, give yourself and your fellow sportsmen a pat on the back!
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You are making a difference and we thank you for your support!
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E-Tackle Box
Quick Links to Inform Your Fishing
Need a License or the YOUth Fishing Passport?
Información disponible en español
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Get more news, events, and photos-all about fish, forestry, and wildlife
in Connecticut.
You'll find each issue packed with information about wildlife, hunting, and natural resource-related issues in Connecticut.
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at 860-418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint.
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