The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is nearing completion of its 2019 fall stockings of Atlantic salmon.
DEEP’s Fisheries Division began stocking Atlantic salmon in early October, and nearly 800 salmon were released during early stages of the fall stocking season.
The upper Naugatuck River (161 salmon), lower Naugatuck River (161 salmon), Shetucket River (377 salmon), Crystal Lake (50 salmon) and Mount Tom Pond (50 salmon) were all stocked at least once. Most of these fish ranged in weight from 2-6 pounds each though some larger fish were also stocked.
DEEP expects approximately 200 additional salmon from the Kensington State Fish Hatchery will be available for stocking in late November or early December, after they have spawned. These fish will generally range in weight from 6 to 20 pounds each.
DEEP reminds anglers of a change to regulations concerning fishing seasons for Atlantic salmon for 2019. The catch-and-release season for Atlantic salmon stocked into the Naugatuck and Shetucket rivers will run through December 15 instead of the end of November as in previous years.
This change to the catch-and-release season was made based on the results of a survey sent to approximately 25,000 license holders and also posted on DEEP’s Fish & Wildlife Facebook page. Approximately two-thirds of the 2,500 anglers who responded to the survey were in favor of extending the catch-and-release season. This survey was originally prompted by requests from salmon anglers for the catch-and-release season to be extended by one month or longer.
All other regulations for fishing for Atlantic salmon on the three rivers and in the lakes that have been stocked with Atlantic salmon remain the same as in the past several years.
Complete and up-to-date regulations can be found in the 2019 Connecticut Fishing Guide located online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishingguide. Print versions of the guides are available from many Town Clerks and bait & tackle stores, or by contacting DEEP’s Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH).
Salmon anglers ages 16 and older are also reminded that they may need to purchase a Trout & Salmon Stamp. This stamp is required to fish in an Atlantic Salmon “Broodstock Area”, and for anglers harvesting salmon anywhere else (where allowed). 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.
The Trout & Salmon stamp can be obtained the same way licenses are, online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing or www.ct.gov/deep/getmyfishinglicense, or in person at one of DEEP’s offices, a town hall that has opted to sell licenses, or at a number of other vendors.
Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.
source: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
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