Opening Day for fishing season is Saturday, April 20. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) began its annual spring trout stocking earlier this year and expects to have 376,000 fish stocked throughout the state by Opening Day.

More than 200 truckloads of fish will be released into 101 lakes and ponds and 203 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut, according to Newtown State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, who circulated information to promote Opening Day among his local constituents.

Anglers may purchase their 2013 fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers, and DEEP offices.

For a complete list of vendors, call DEEP Licensing and Revenue at 860-424-3105; or visit the DEEP website by clicking on this link: http://1.usa.gov/11hEeqE.

 

Learn To Fish On May 18

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Natural Resources Inland Fisheries Division will hold CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) Free Family Fishing Course, Learn To Fish, on May 18.

Learn To Fish, open to Newtown residents, will be offered at Great Hollow Pond in Wolfe Park, 447 Purdy Hill Road in Monroe. The course will run from 8 am to 1 pm.

Families, and individuals of all ages are encouraged to attend and learn basic fishing skills, about equipment and tackle, knot tying, fish identification, casting, rules, and regulations.

Adult participants (16 and older) will need a valid Connecticut fishing license. Equipment and bait is provided.

To register, call Dave Connelly at 203-231-0946, or Russell Zelanin at 203-560-6826.