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November 2024
This is the first edition of the CT Fishin' Tips newsletter using DEEP's new delivery service, Campaign Monitor. DEEP is streamlining and strengthening our public outreach and engagement through the 20BY26 initiative, particularly goal 13 “Strengthening Communication And Collaboration With DEEP”, to learn more (20BY26 (ct.gov).
We hope you enjoy the new look, feel, and functionality. Please reach out to mike.beauchene@ct.gov with any suggestions, comments, or questions.
He Caught Them All (Already)
Congratulations😍 Rocco Semeraro, who has already landed all 33 of the species in CT's Youth Fishing Passport annual year-long Fishing Challenge (the challenge ends on December 31, 2024).
Rocco is the first to catch all 33 since the list of species expanded after Daniel Echols was the first and only to land all of the original 22 species. With a few months left in the year, let's see who will join Rocco in "catching them all". Check out the current leaderboard.
Atlantic Salmon Catch and Movement Study
"Tag - You're It!" (watch the Fox61 news coverage) This fall, the Fisheries Division is conducting an expansive tagging study to better understand the Atlantic Salmon Management Area fishery and we need your help 🙋. Prior to being stocked in rivers, 1,300 salmon will be tagged under the dorsal fin with external T-Bar anchor tags that each have a unique ID # (see picture below).
We ask anglers 🎣 to report their catches of tagged Atlantic salmon including the tag number, date, and specific location, using one of three available reporting methods (online survey, phone, or email).
This project seeks to integrate angler tag-return information with standard fisheries sampling methods to understand the movements, behavior, catchability, and fate of Connecticut hatchery-raised Atlantic salmon stocked in the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers 🐟. This unique collaboration between the Fisheries Division and the angling public will help to fill critical data gaps and inform management decisions such as the density, timing, frequency, and location of stocking events.
- Report it via our online survey
- Email Matthew.Devine@ct.gov
- Call Matthew Devine 203-500-2513
About CT's Atlantic Salmon Management Areas
Fingerling Walleye Stocking Complete
Walleye fingerlings (average 5-7 inches) arrived from Minnesota on Monday, October 28 and were stocked into Batterson Park Pond, Lake Zoar, Coventry Lake, Long Pond, Beach Pond, Squantz Pond, Saugatuck Reservoir, Gardner Lake, Mashapaug Lake, and Mount Tom Pond.
The annual stocking of Walleye fingerlings serves to maintain the fisheries in these waters. Learn more about the Walleye management program in the video below. In addition to being a sought-after game fish for anglers, walleye also help lake ecosystems as a predator, feeding on stunted sunfish which can overcrowd lakes. Questions about CT's Walleye program may be sent to Christopher.Mcdowell@ct.gov
LAKE, TOWN (ACRES) and # STOCKED
Squantz Pond, New Fairfield, Sherman (270) 1,345
Batterson Pond, New Britian (140) 700
Beach Pond, Voluntown (372) 1,860
Coventry Lake, Coventry (373) 560
Long Pond, N. Stonington (109) 545
Lake Zoar, Derby (909) 4,545
Mt Tom Pond, Litchfield (56) 280
Gardner Lake, Salem-Bozrah (529) 2,645
Mashapaug Lake, Union (287) 1,435
Tautog Season - A New England Tradition
Blackfish or "Tautog" are feisty crab-eating machines, which are challenging to catch and provide a bulldog-like fight 🏅.
Just about every reef or rock pile in Long Island Sound is inhabited by the "tog". The fall season is a favorite among anglers who love to chase the defenders of their rocky lairs. Whether you angle or spearfish, a keeper tog is an accomplishment. Blackfish have a firm white meat, which is often used to make a hearty fish chowder (chowda). Another favorite is to cube the meat, toss it in Cajun seasoning, and pan fry in butter (YUM).
Fall Trout Stocking Update
The DEEP State Fish Hatcheries are in the home stretch of fall trout stocking with nearly 50,000 fish released these past few months!
Check out our fall Trout and Salmon Stocking report to stay updated on when and where. Please enjoy and remember that fishing for trout in seasonal Trout Management Areas (TMA) is catch and release from September 1st – 6:00am April 12th, 2025 . Regulations in TMAs vary so please be sure to know before you go by checking out our Freshwater Fishing Guide.
This Month's Mystery Fish
Think you know this species 👀? Send your guess to mike.beauchene@ct.gov
Mystery Fish Revealed
Last month's mystery fish was the Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis).
Depending on where you fish it is also known as squeteague, bastard trout, bastard weakfish, common weakfish, gray weakfish, chickwick, gray trout, gray sea trout, sand trout, silver weakfish or squit. Although any reference to trout is a mis-nomer as the species is not part of the trout family.
The weakfish is often caught in the western part of Long Island Sound along sandbars and spits. The Weakfish feeds on a variety of prey including small schooling fish such as anchovies and menhaden; will also eat crabs, shrimp, mollusks and large zooplankton.
Nice Catch!
Tiger Trout: This incredible fish 😮 was caught in a secret location in Northern Connecticut and sent to us.
A Tiger Trout is a sterile hybrid produced when the eggs of a Brown Trout are fertilized by a Brook Trout. Tiger trout can occur when there are both Brook and Brown Trout living and reproducing in the same section of stream. The Fisheries Division specifically produces Tiger Trout in our hatchery system for anglers to enjoy. Thanks to Pat F. for sharing such a unique fish.
Need to find a place to fish? Check out our "Where to Fish For..." interactive map with video tutorial below.
DIY Videos- our complete library can be found on the DEEP YouTube Channel
How to get your fishing license online
How to get the youth fishing passport online
How to use the "Where Can I Fish For...." Interactive Map
Have a Tip or Photo You Would Like to See in CT Fishin' Tips?
Have a Tip or Photo You Would Like to See in CT Fishin' Tips? Email your tip to DEEP.Inland.Fisheries@ct.gov
E-Tackle Box
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.
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If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you need more information, please write to:
Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights
U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Report a Fishing or Hunting Violation
Call DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police 24/7
860-424-3333
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