Freshwater Fishing Guide

What Is New

Changes may occur during the year. Please see below for updates.

Most Current

December 1, 2023 - There are no changes to the inland sportfishing regulations for 2024. Marine regulations may change in February/March 2024 and will be published on the saltwater species page if/when they do change.

September 1, 2023 - Atlantic Salmon Regulations for 2023-2024 per Commissioner Dykes' Declaration.

May 17, 2023- Effective at 12:00 am on May 26, 2023, CT's Striped Bass regulations change to become a slot of 28 inches to 31 inches. Any striped bass that is less than 28 inches or greater than or equal to 31 inches must be released without avoidable injury. This change was the result of emergency action by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission on May 2, 2023. This action set a maximum size of 31 inches for striped bass coast-wide. As a result Connecticut's previous slot of 28 inches to 35 inches is now reduced to 28-31 inches.

3/9/2023 - A guide to the timing for required catch and release of trout is available for view/download.

3/1/2023 - The Fisheries Division has partnered with FishBrain, the world's largest fishing app. This partnership allows CT to have the fishing regulations served up to app users for FREE! Download the app.

1/13/2023 - 2023 Fishing Guide is available for download here.

Please feel free to download the most recent version as indicated by the date on the cover of the fishing guide. The Fisheries Division will be printing and distributing a limited number of copies to fishing license vendors as soon as the saltwater species regulations are finalized, which typically happens in mid-March. Direct your questions to mike.beauchene@ct.gov.

As a reminder this guide is provided as a simple summary of fishing regulations and definitions. The official version are on the web page for the Secretary of State.

12/27/2022 - Summary of New Regulations for Sportfishing in the Inland District. Official version is posted on Secretary of State Web Page.

Seasons:

Removes the closed season for fishing on all lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. (Legal access still required).
Establishes a statewide “Catch and Release” season for trout and kokanee from March 1 to 6:00 am on the second Saturday of April (Opening Day of harvest). This does not apply to waters with special fishing regulations like trout management lakes, trout management areas, wild trout management areas.
Extends the season on trout management lakes to 6:00 am on the second Saturday of April (Opening Day of harvest) from March 31.
Retains the closure to protect trout seeking refuge in cold-water tributaries as indicated by signs posted by CT DEEP. Species

Species and Waterbodies:

Revises the statewide daily creel limit for trout and kokanee to be 5 trout daily AND 5 kokanee daily (previously 5 of either, 8 in aggregate).
Establishes the following special trout regulations on East Twin Lake and Lake Wononskopomuc:
- During the period from 6:00 a.m. on the second Saturday in April through the last day of February the daily creel limit for trout shall be five, not more than one of which may be a brown trout, and the minimum length for brown trout shall be twenty-two inches. During the period from March first through 6:00 a.m. on the second Saturday in April, inclusive, the daily creel limit for trout shall be one and the minimum length limit shall be twenty-two inches.
Adds Long Pond (North Stonington) and Lake Wononskopomuc to the list of Trout Management Lake.
Prohibits ice fishing on Factory Pond (Salisbury), Lake Chamberlain (Bethany), Lake Saltonstall (Branford, East Haven), Maltby Lakes (Orange, West Haven), Lake McDonough (New Hartford, Barkhamsted) and Shenipsit Lake (Ellington, Tolland, Vernon).

Gear:

Establishes a limit of two devices per person when ice fishing on East Twin Lake or Lake Wononskopomuc. This may be two (2) tip ups, two (2) jigging rods or one of each.

Definitions:

Establishes a definition for Cast Net, Inline Circle Hook and Culling.
Revises the definition of Closed Season to conform with the definition provided in state statute

9/6/2022 - Atlantic salmon rules and regulations - Details here

4/9/2022 - Fish Consumption Advisory for the Hockanum River - Details here

4/8/2022 - Simple overview of Freshwater Fishing Regulations - Pamphlet

06/01/2021 - The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection continues to work toward restoring unencumbered fishing access to the Skungamaug River in the vicinity of Woodbridge Road in Coventry. Until such time, DEEP has temporarily suspended public use of an existing easement located at 80 Woodbridge Road. Stocking the waters of the Skungamaug River downstream of the Woodbridge Road bridge has also been suspended until public use is restored. Use of the easement for purposes of fisheries research and management actions by DEEP staff will continue. We encourage patience on the part of the fishing public while this matter is resolved and access for fishing restored. For alternate fishing locations on the Skungamaug and other nearby streams, please visit Trout Stocking Maps, which provides links to the Interactive Trout Stocking Maps and PDF maps of stocked rivers/streams.

05/21/2021 - Governor Lamont signs a bill (Public Act 21-12) that removes the closed season for trout.

01/01/2021 - Aquatic Invasive Species Fee for registered boats ($5 instate and $20 out of state) acquire via online licensing system.

01/01/2021 - Circle hooks required for use when fishing with bait for Striped Bass

Trout and Salmon Stamp implemented