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100% of your investment in fishing license fees come to the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources to support your passion for the outdoors- Thank You! 👍👍
February 2025
Please reach out to mike.beauchene@ct.gov with any suggestions, comments, or questions related to CT's Fisheries.
2025 Fishing Licenses are Available
Fishing licenses are available for 2025. Don't miss a single day of fishing - renew or get your fishing license today. Need a refresher on how to use CT's online system? Check out the video below.
Annual Winterfest Saturday, February 1
DEEP's annual winterfest will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Burr Pond State Park from 10:00am-3:00pm. Please dress for the weather! Waterproof boots are recommended - no sneakers (or you may end up with very cold feet).
No changes to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations
There are no changes 😁 to the regulations for sportfishing in the Inland District 🎣 for 2025. Download your PDF copy. Printed copies are available at many town clerks and tackle shops.
The changes proposed over this past summer are still working through the formal adoption process. As such, the Fisheries Division is opting to keep the regulations as they are. We expect the proposed changes will take effect January 1, 2026, about one year from now.
Let Us Know Your Preferences For The West Branch Farmington River Trout Management Area
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Fisheries Division is collecting information on a possible expansion of the year-round catch and release section of the West Branch Farmington River Trout Management Area (TMA).
No immediate plans to expand catch and release regulations are in place as this is only an information gathering period. Please take time to answer each question as your opinion matters, and please also provide comment. These same questions were asked of anglers on the Farmington River as we conducted a yearlong survey from the Goodwin Dam in Barkhamsted down to Route 177 Bridge in Unionville in 2024. Your participation in this survey is encouraged and appreciated. Thank you!
WOW - 33 Catches X 2!
DEEP's Youth Fishing Passport fishing challenge is a year-long contest for those age 15 or younger. The quest - to catch at least 1 of all 33 species on the scorecard. This year we have 2 anglers who "caught them all"! Congrats to Rocco Semeraro and Adam Chrzanowski!
The top four anglers with the largest number of catches earn "Top Angler" honors. Joining Rocco and Adam are Adam O'Brien. and Adrian Swietek.
NEW - Fish Community Data Map
The DEEP is pleased to release our newest tool to share fish community data. The Fish Community Data App replaces the original viewer found on CT ECO. The new map retains much of the functionality of its predecessor but has new and expanded features. We hope you find the data useful. Questions may be directed to mike.beauchene@ct.gov
Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp Info
New for 2025- The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Stamp must be purchased separately from your vessel registration. Any person operating a vessel on Connecticut inland waters that is required to be registered, in CT or another state, must have a CT AIS Stamp.
There are two AIS Stamp options:
$7 individual operator
or
$25 AIS decal to cover all operators on the vessel
Visit AIS Stamp FAQs for more information. You can purchase your 2025 AIS Stamp now through the Online Sportsmen Licensing system. This is required for CT registered and out of state registered vessels.
Seasonal Job Openings
Come and join the CT DEEP this spring/summer. Job postings are found on CT Job Aps and are being updated daily. We have lots of great opportunities for you! Apply NOW!
Fishing Challenge DIY Videos
To help budding anglers fill their youth fishing passport fishing challenge score card the Fish With CARE program has made a special playlist on the DEEP Video YouTube channel.
The fishing challenge is free for all age 15 and younger. The challenge is a year-long fishing scavenger hunt to try and catch all 33 species on the score card. Catches are submitted online and results displayed on the dashboard. For more info please reach out to mike.beauchene@ct.gov
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 Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) which is a small (up to 12 inches or so) feisty fish often found in schools near pilings. They feed on benthic organisms such as worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. Anglers often catch them using sandworms and squid. Spot are named for the brown "spot" behind the gill cover on each side of the body. Spot are most common in waters along the mid-Atlantic but with increasing water temperatures are being caught more frequently along the CT shoreline.
Spot are a good fish to eat, described as having a flakey white meat and often fried whole. As very abundant, short-lived, small-size fish, these are a good choice to take home for a meal.
Nice Catch!
Thank You Natasha Lubczenko of WTNH Channel 8 for spotlighting the Fish with CARE program as one of your family activities of choice.
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
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.
This program receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.
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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