Opening Day For Trout Fishing

Opening day of trout fishing season is Saturday, April 16, and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and ponds stocked and ready. Although the DEP did not stock bodies of water in Newtown, there are several town locations to cast lines and drop lures. Visit www.ct.gov/dep/fishing and click on the anglers guide for a listing of every publicly accessible fishing site in Connecticut.

Since early March, nearly 387,000 trout have been released into more than 100 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut and are awaiting the state’s many anglers. DEP’s spring trout stocking effort will continue through the end of May and when completed, DEP expects to have stocked more than 650,000 catchable size trout.

Trout Parks do have special regulations; a two trout per day creel limit. As many other specially managed areas including Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Sea-Run Trout Streams and Wild Trout Management Areas also have special regulations, anglers are advised to consult the new 2011 Connecticut Angler’s Guide for the current fishing regulations that apply to the waters they plan to fish. The 2011 Angler’s Guide is now available at Town Clerks Offices, many DEP offices and at tackle stores selling fishing licenses. Anglers may purchase their fishing licenses online or at participating town halls, DEP field offices and fishing tackle vendors. Both the Angler’s Guide and the online licensing system may be accessed on the DEP website.