Statewide Salmonid Action Plan

The Plan

Salmonids (trout and salmon) are one of Connecticut's most sought after recreational fish species. This page provides information about and related to the Statewide Salmonid Action Plan. The purpose of this action plan is to maintain and improve recreational salmonid fishing and conserve wild populations in Connecticut. Looking ahead, the Fisheries Division will be more adaptive and responsive with salmonid production, distribution, and conservation in order to meet the changing desires and preferences of Connecticut’s anglers. The plan focuses on four themes: Grow Fish, Catch Fish, Conserve Fish, and Public Engagement.

Summary Document -- A simple summary of the purpose, themes, and goals.

The Plan -- Review the action plan .

Got Feedback? Please send along any comments, suggestions or feedback you would like to share via email to Mike.Beauchene@ct.gov.

A Message from Mason*
Greetings fellow trout and salmon anglers. I personally thank you for your passion for our trout and salmon fisheries. Your long-term support is critical to insure that generations to come experience the same or better opportunities as we. The five-year plan outlines well-thought-out actions, developed with your input, focused on improving both our stocked fisheries, as well as our self-sustaining wild trout.

The Environmental Conservation Branch has three tenants as we move all of our programs forward: Operational Efficiency (plan goals 1, 2, 3); Resource Sustainability (plan goals 5, 6, 7); and Equitable Access (plan goals 3, 4, 7). Each of these overarching tenants, combined with synergistic goals within the plan coupled with your continued support, will continue the long tradition of trout and salmon fishing in Connecticut.

*Mason Trumble is the Deputy Commissioner, Environmental Conservation Branch, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Mason enjoys fishing in all forms from striped bass along the shoreline to pike fishing through the ice. He especially loves to fly fish and, even though he has been fortunate to catch sea-run brown trout in Patagonia, bonefish in Belize, and cutthroat trout in Idaho, he most enjoys spending the last few hours of a summer evening fishing at one of the many exceptional trout streams and rivers right here in Connecticut!

Background

To help develop this plan, the Fisheries Division emailed a survey seeking angler preferences for trout and salmon fishing to over 50,000 fishing license holders, hosted six trout and salmon forums around the state, and hosted a webinar (September to November 2019). The purpose was to gain input from trout and salmon anglers and have face-to-face discussion focused on four key questions relating to trout and salmon:

What makes a good fishing trip?
What are things you feel the Fisheries Division does well?
Where do you think the Fisheries Division could improve?
What are some actions you would take to increase the number of people fishing?

Summary report from public discussions

Based on public input and Fisheries Division research, this plan will identify specific objectives and actions related to the following seven goals under four themes:

Theme 1: Grow Fish