Freshwater Fishing Guide

Licenses and Permits

Fishing and hunting licenses, stamps, and permits can be purchased 24/7 on the DEEP’s Online Outdoor Licensing System. These items can also be purchased at outdoor equipment retailers and some town halls (please check with your local town hall to find out about availability or any restrictions).

Fishing and hunting licenses purchased through CT's Online Outdoor Licensing System are signed electronically at the time of purchase, allowing you to keep a digitally signed copy on your smartphone instead of needing to have a signed, printed copy! Licenses purchased through a license agent location must still be printed and signed to be valid.

The Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods (Burlington; directions) and Franklin (North Franklin; directions) Field Offices, Marine District Headquarters (Old Lyme; directions), and DEEP's Western District Headquarters (Watertown - new location at Black Rock State Park; get directions) are open for fishing and hunting license sales on Monday – Friday, from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (except holidays). DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters (Marlborough; directions) is open for license sales on Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM.

Inland Fishing Licenses | Youth Fishing Passport | Permits | Hunting and Fishing Guide Registration

Thank you for your purchase. Fishing fuels conservation! 100% of your investment comes to the Bureau of Natural Resources to support DEEP's programs that feed your passion. Examples include; trout rearing and stocking, purchase of pike, walleye, and channel catfish, land acquisition for conservation and fishing access, maintenance of boat ramps, restoration of migratory fish species, monitoring of resident fish populations (marine and freshwater), and education to share the many benefits fishing has to offer. Looking for more information visit this link: Fishing fuels conservation.

Inland Fishing Licenses

New to fishing licenses? Get help with our simple summary.

Inland fishing licenses are

required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing in the Inland District.
issued on a calendar year basis and expire on December 31st.
discounted by 50% for Connecticut residents who are age 16 or 17.
not required for anyone under age 16.
free for Connecticut residents age 65 or older.

Dates for FREE fishing:

No Fishing License is required on Saturday, May 11, 2024; however, all other rules and regulations still apply.

A free one-day license is valid on

Sunday, June 16, 2024
Saturday, August 10, 2024

The free one day license is available through the online license system three weeks prior to each date.

Fishing License Type and Fee

License Type	CT Resident Age 16-17	CT Resident 18+	Non Resident
Sport Fishing Licenses
All waters (freshwater and saltwater)	$16	$32	$63
Inland Fishing (freshwater only)	$14	$28	$55
Trout and Salmon Stamp (FAQs)	$3	$5	$5
3-Day consecutive (freshwater only)	not available	not available	$22
Group Fishing License Available to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations wishing to conduct group fishing programs and events for qualified: Veterans with a service-related or other disability. Persons receiving mental health or addiction services from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and associated programs and facilities. Individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities receiving services from the Department of Developmental Services or a facility licensed by DDS. Persons receiving care from the Department of Children and Families, DCF receiving homes, or certain licensed DCF care facilities or programs. License is for up to 50 events per year for up to 50 persons per event. Contact DEEP Fisheries for an application	not available	$125	not available
Combination Licenses
All Waters Fishing and Firearms Hunting	$20	$40	$120
Inland Fishing and Firearms Hunting	$19	$38	$110
All Waters Fishing and Bow and Arrow Permit to Hunt Deer and Small Game	$33	$65	not available
Free Licenses
Age 65 and older	not available	Free to those age 65 or older	not available
1 day fishing license (dates selected by CT DEEP)	two dates per year	two dates per year	two dates per year
Waiver for High School Fishing Curriculum A fishing license waiver can be granted to all students participating in a fishing field trip, provided the field trip is part of the school curriculum (call 860-424-3474 for details).
Intellectually Disabled or Blind-Inland Fishing Issuance of a free license to the blind or intellectually disabled requires proof of disability in the form of a certificate provided by any person licensed to practice medicine in this state.	Free	Free	not available
Physically Disabled Persons-Inland Fishing Any resident with the loss of one or more limbs or the permanent loss of the use of one or more limbs and a doctor’s certificate may be issued a free license. Qualified nonresidents who are residents of states which allow CT residents the same privileges are also eligible.	Free	Free	may be available
Physically Disabled Persons-Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting Any resident with the loss of one or more limbs or the permanent loss of the use of one or more limbs and a doctor’s certificate may be issued a free license. Qualified nonresidents who are residents of states which allow CT residents the same privileges are also eligible.	Free	Free	may be available

Free Lifetime License for Seniors (Age 65 and older): The free LIFETIME RESIDENT INLAND FISHING LICENSE-AGE 65+ became ANNUAL licenses effective October 1, 2009. All age 65+ licenses will need to be renewed at no cost each year.

Armed Forces: Any active full-time member of the U.S. armed forces may purchase a Connecticut hunting, fishing, or trapping license for the same fees as a resident. Proof of full-time membership during the calendar year must be carried while using the license. These licenses are only issued at DEEP or town clerk offices.

Lost License: If you purchased your license through the Online Outdoor Licensing System, you can reprint your license at any time by logging on with your CT Conservation ID, last name, and date of birth. After logging in, there is a link for reprinting your license on the top right of the page. If you purchased your license at a participating license vendor, you can ask for them to reprint your license.

Group Fishing License:

Fee $125

Available to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations wishing to conduct up to 50 fishing programs/events for up to 50 individuals who are:

Veterans with a service-related or other disability.
Persons receiving mental health or addiction services from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and associated programs and facilities.
Individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities receiving services from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) or a facility licensed by DDS
Persons receiving care from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), DCF receiving home, or certain DCF-licensed childcare facilities or programs.

No fee may be charged to participate in the events and the individuals must be supervised by an individual with a fishing license.

Contact the Fisheries Division for more information at deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov or 860-424-3474

Youth Fishing Passport

Get Details: FREE to anyone (resident or nonresident) who is of age 15 or younger. The Youth Fishing Passport is available through our online licensing system. Note: you will need to create a new user profile for any youth obtaining the passport for the first time (driver's license, social security are NOT REQUIRED fields).

Permits

Import Live Fish - For Bait Dealers Only

Required for commercial fish hatcheries and bait dealers to import live fish or live fish eggs into the state.

No permit is required to import common aquarium species.
It is illegal to release any aquarium fish into public or private waters.
Possession or importation of a number of fish species is prohibited. These prohibited species include piranha, walking catfish, black, silver and bighead carp, gizzard shad, and all species of the family Channidae (snakeheads).
For further information and a complete listing, contact Inland Fisheries at 860-424-3474.

Apply online using What is ezFile?

(Traditional paper applications - Word / PDF - will still be accepted, but on-line filing is preferred.)

(Bait Dealers Reporting Form - must be submitted annually by licensed bait dealers)

Importation Permit (non bait dealer use)

Authorizes the importation of live fish or live fish eggs (except Grass Carp) from out-of-state from an approved List of Private Hatcheries.

An importation permit is required for the importation into Connecticut of live fish or fish eggs.
No permit is required to import common aquarium species.
It is illegal to release any aquarium fish into public or private waters.
Possession or importation of a number of fish species is prohibited. These prohibited species include piranha, walking catfish, black, silver and bighead carp, gizzard shad, and all species of the family Channidae (snakeheads).
For further information and a complete listing, contact Inland Fisheries at 860-424-3474.

Apply online using What is ezFile?

(Traditional paper applications - Word Form / PDF- will still be accepted, but on-line filing is preferred.)

Liberation (Stocking) Permit

Authorizes the liberation (stocking) of live fish or live fish eggs (except Grass Carp) into Connecticut waters.

A liberation permit is necessary whenever an individual or organization stocks live fish or fish eggs into any pond, lake or stream in Connecticut.
List of Private Hatcheries

Apply online using What is ezFile?

(Traditional paper applications - Word Form / PDF - will still be accepted, but on-line filing is preferred.)

Triploid Grass Carp

Importation and/or Liberation of Grass Carp requires its own application process. Please visit the Triploid Grass Carp page for details.

Permits to Change/Modify Fishing Regulation(s)

Private Waters Designation Word Form / PDF
The registration of private waters is required for any owner of private waters who desires to remove fish from such waters.

Special Regulations on Association Controlled Waters
A permit for any association owning or controlling the fishing rights in any stream or pond to have special open and closed seasons, daily creel and season limits, and legal lengths of species taken from such waters.

Apply online using What is ezFile?

(Traditional paper applications - Word Form / PDF - will still be accepted, but on-line filing is preferred.)

Inland Fishing Tournament/Derby Permit

Required to conduct a fishing tournament or derby on waters open to public fishing involving anglers 16 years of age and older. Open water catch-and-release-only tournaments can be granted an exemption from Bass Management Area special regulations (exemptions available for all Bass Management lakes from September 1 through June 30, exemptions granted only for Gardner Lake and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir from July 1 to August 31).

Apply online using What is ezFile?

(Traditional paper applications will still be accepted, but on-line filing is preferred.)

Scientific Collector Permit

This permit allows individuals to collect fish and crustaceans for scientific and educational purposes. Word Form / PDF

Hunting and Fishing Guide Registration

Individuals providing fishing and hunting guide services in Connecticut must register annually with the DEEP. The registration is valid for the calendar year. The registration fee is $100 and can be purchased through the Online Outdoor Licensing System or in person at DEEP offices and other vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are available.

Please note: Any hunting or fishing guide carrying paying passengers on a vessel on marine waters, or on the Thames River, Connecticut River south of the Bulkeley Bridge (Route 84) in Hartford, or on the Housatonic River below the Derby Dam is required to hold a current passenger-for-hire license issued by the United States Coast Guard. Operators and crew of vessels registered in Connecticut as a charter, party or head boat are exempt from the guide registration when providing guide services on the registered vessel. Please refer to the Marine Fisheries Information Circular if you are considering purchasing a Fishing Guide Registration to take marine species.

DEEP Permits and Licenses main page