Fisheries Publications

Fisheries Information and Publications

The purpose of this page is to function as a central repository for various documents and publications produced by the Fisheries Division. Information and context supporting many of these documents can be found on a related Fisheries Division webpage.

If you do not see what you are looking for, please contact us at deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov and we may be able to locate it for you.

Fisheries Division Staff Directory

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Video Content

To view fisheries related videos, please visit our YouTube Channel.

 

Regulations/Commissioner's Declarations

Fishing Guides Main webpage

Fishing Guides:

Commissioners Declarations:

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021
  • 2021 The taking of Alewives and Blueback Herring is prohibited in Connecticut waters
  • D21-07 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D21-05)
  • D21-06 Minimum lengths and creel limits for recreational fishing (supersedes D21-04)
  • D21-05 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D21-03)
  • D21-04 Minimum lengths and creel limits for recreational fishing (supersedes D21-02)
  • D21-03 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D20-09)
  • D21-02 Minimum lengths and creel limits for recreational fishing (supersedes D20-06)
  • D21-01 Lobster fall closure
  • D20-09 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D20-07)
  • D20-08 Sturgeon, shark, and American shad regulations
  • D19-04  Closed seasons for marine recreational fishing (NOTE: Closed seasons from D19-04 still in effect; all other measures superseded by subsequent declarations)

2020

2019

2018
  • D18-02 Coastal Shark Recreational and Commercial Fishery Measures for 2018
  • D18-07 Lobster Season
  • D18-08 Recreational Fishery Measures for 2018
  • D18-09 Commercial Fisheries: Open seasons, possession limits and minimum lengths for several species

 

Permits/Licenses/Forms 

Inland waters permits main webpage

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Inland Waters Permits on EZ File

The following permit applications should be completed online using the CT DEEP EZFile system.

Tournament/Derby - Freshwater

Guidance documents to support inland tournaments/derbys

 

Permits/licenses for inland waters not on the EZ File System


Marine Waters - Personal Use Licenses

Personal Use Lobster License: Fee is $60.00. Required for taking lobsters by the use of up to 10 pots or SCUBA diving, for personal use (not for sale). Annual catch report required.

Personal Use Gillnet License: Fee $100.00. Required to take menhaden with a single gillnet, not more than 60 feet in length, for personal use (not for sale), from marine waters only. Annual catch report required. 

For information on Connecticut regulations governing the taking of lobsters, marine and anadromous finfish, and crabs by commercial and recreational fishermen, see Marine Fisheries Information Circular

Marine Waters - Commercial

Safe Harbor Policy Main Webpage


A commercial license (fees vary by license) is required to take and land (regardless where taken) for sale, fish, lobsters, blue crabs, squid, sea scallops and bait species from both the inland and marine districts. For further information on commercial fishing contact DEEP Fisheries Division at 860-434-6043 or write to Marine Fisheries Office, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or e-mail at deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov.

For information on Connecticut regulations governing the taking of lobsters, marine and anadromous finfish, and crabs by commercial and recreational fishermen, see Marine Fisheries Information Circular

Commercial Fishing Licenses

Open-Access License Application (Fillable PDF) must be used for the following commercial licenses:

  • Marine and Inland Commercial Bait Fishing License
  • Commercial Shad Fishing License
  • Commercial Blue Crab Fishing License
  • Commercial Landing Vessel Operator’s License (Landing License)
  • Restricted Commercial Fishing License (New)
  • Restricted Commercial Lobster Pot Fishing License (New)
  • Commercial Whelk (Conch) Fishing License

Limited Access License Application (Fillable PDF)

  • Principal Commercial Fishing License
  • Commercial Lobster Pot Fishing License
  • General Commercial (Finfish) Fishing License
  • Endorsements to take summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass

 

Dealer Licenses

A Seafood Dealer License is required to purchase, for resale, fish, lobsters, blue crabs, squid, and sea scallops from Connecticut Licensed Commercial Fishermen.  Dealer License Application (Fillable PDF).  For further information contact DEEP Fisheries Division at 860-434-6043 or write to Marine Fisheries Office, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or e-mail at deep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov.

A Bait Dealer License is required to sell Bait Species.  Dealer License Application (Fillable PDF). For further information contact DEEP Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474 or write to Inland Fisheries Office, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or e-mail at deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov. Reports must be submitted annually Bait Dealers Reporting Form

 

Vessel Permits / Registrations

A Commercial Fishing Vessel Permit Vessel Permit Application (Fillable PDF)

Required for all vessels used for activities authorized under commercial fishing licenses (e.g. use of commercial fishing gear, even if for personal use purposes).

This permit is not required for vessels used only for activities associated with the:

  • Restricted Commercial Fishing License
  • Restricted Lobster Pot Fishing License
  • Commercial Whelk Fishing License
  • Inland Commercial Bait Fishing License
  • Marine Commercial Bait Fishing License
  • Commercial Blue Crab Fishing License
  • Commercial Shad Fishing License

A Party / Charter Vessel Registration Vessel Permit Application (Fillable PDF)

Required for the operation of a vessel for a fee for the purpose of transporting and providing a fishing platform for sport fishermen in the marine district or for marine species in the inland district.  

Environmental Tourism Cruise Vessel Permit is required to use a vessel for the temporary collection of marine fish and invertebrates for educational and or tourism purposes. All animals must be returned to the water safely prior to completion of the daily tour. Environmental Tourism Cruise Vessel Permit Application

 

 

Fact Sheets/Brochures


Maps/Locations

 

Interactive Atlas of Crayfish of Connecticut -- An interactive map showing the distribution of the nine species of crayfish observed though DEEP’s Fisheries and Water Quality Monitoring programs.  The application contains a map for each species, an overview of crayfish anatomy, key identification characteristics, and detailed photographs. Contact DEEP Fisheries at 860-424-3474 or email DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov to contribute additional information.

Stocking Maps by waterbody as a PDF - visit webpage

 

Online Reporting Forms


Plans


Reports


Stream/Fish Habitat Project Summaries


Annual Fish Stocking Reports (other reports may be available by contacting DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov)

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016

Angler Recognition Reports/Trophy Fish Reports

Freshwater

Marine

Inland Fisheries Annual Federal Performance Reports (reports for additional years may be available by request)


Marine Recreational Fisheries Annual Federal Performance Reports (reports for additional years may be available by request)

Long Island Sound Trawl Survey (LIST) - A vital tool Marine Fisheries staff use to measure the abundance and distribution of finfish, squid, and other macro-invertebrates (lobster, crabs, horseshoe crabs, whelks) in Long Island Sound, independent of commercial or recreational fishing.

 

Additional LIST reports can be found by year below

 

Full Federal Reports and Job Reports by year


Other Marine Reports

Spring 2005 Disaster Relief Report -- The latest Disaster Relief Report summarizing the results of the lobster assessment and monitoring project from 2001 to 2005.

1999 Lobster Mortality Report -- The initial report on the widespread lobster die-off that occurred during 1998-1999.

Marine Fisheries Interstate Management -- Collect fishery dependent statistics from harvesters and dealers on catch, harvest, fishing effort by gear type and season; compile and analyze the data to provide information for quota monitoring, stock assessment, and development and evaluation of Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) and management measures.

2007 Eelgrass Report -- An assessment of the impacts of commercial and recreational fishing and other activities to eelgrass in Connecticut’s waters and recommendations for management. Submitted in response to Public Act 01-115.

 

Books/Articles/Newsletters

Books


Articles from Connecticut Wildlife Magazine

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General Fish/Fisheries


Warmwater Fisheries Articles


Connecticut River


Migratory Fish (Shad, Herring, Eels, and Lamprey)


Coldwater Fisheries Articles


Marine Articles


Newsletters

CT Fishin' Tips

 

Link to Facebook

Online Licensing System

 

Content last updated in July 2026