Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Commissioner Declarations

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection has statutory and regulatory authority under several circumstances to declare and adjust closed seasons, close areas to fishing, specify conditions for operating commercial fisheries, and to establish and adjust possession and length limits. Declaration authority may be used to protect species threatened with undue depletion, to adjust harvest levels consistent with efficient management of a species, and to conform to regulations adopted under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act or by other regional management authorities such as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Following are active Commissioner Declarations establishing rules for both recreational and commercial fisheries:

2025

Atlantic Salmon open season, daily creel limit, minimum length and method of taking

2024

The taking of Alewives and Blueback Herring is prohibited in Connecticut waters

D24-05 Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D24-03)

D24-04 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D24-02)

D24-03 Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D24-01)

D24-02 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D23-09)

D24-01 Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D23-05)

Atlantic Salmon open season, daily creel limit, minimum length and method of taking

2023

The taking of Alewives and Blueback Herring is prohibited in Connecticut waters

D23-09 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D23-06)

D23-07 Sturgeon, shark, and American shad regulations (supersedes D22-08)

D23-06 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D23-04)

D23-05 Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D23-03)

D23-04 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D23-01)

D23-03 Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D23-02)

D23-02 Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D22-09)

D23-01 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D22-10)

Atlantic Salmon open season, daily creel limit, minimum length and method of taking

2022

The taking of Alewives and Blueback Herring is prohibited in Connecticut waters

D22-10  Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D22-07)

D22-09  Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D22-06)

D22-08  Sturgeon, shark, and American shad regulations (supersedes D22-01)  

D22-07  Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D22-05)

D22-06  Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D22-04)

D22-05  Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D21-08)

D22-04  Minimum lengths, creel limits, and closed seasons for recreational fishing (supersedes D22-02)

D22-03  Lobster fall closure (note: this declaration superseded by permanent regulation 2021-027 finalized on 5/11/22)

D22-02  Minimum lengths and creel limits for recreational fishing (supersedes D21-06)

D22-01 Sturgeon, shark, and American shad regulations (supersedes D20-08)

D21-08 Commercial Fishing Regulations (supersedes D21-07)

Atlantic Salmon open season, daily creel limit, minimum length and method of taking

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

The taking of Alewives and Blueback Herring is prohibited in Connecticut waters

Atlantic Salmon open season, daily creel limit, minimum length and method of taking

D20-06 Minimum lengths and creel limits for recreational fishing (supersedes D20-04)

D20-07 Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D20-05)

D20-05  Commercial fishing regulations (supersedes D20-03)

D20-04  Minimum lengths and creel limits for marine recreational fishing, Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites (supersedes D20-02)

D20-03  Commercial fishing regulations

D20-02  Minimum lengths and creel limits for marine recreational fishing, Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites

D20-01  Lobster fall closure

D19-10  Sturgeon, shark, and American shad regulations

2019

The taking of Alewife and Blueback Herring in Connecticut waters is prohibited

Atlantic Salmon open season, daily creel limit, minimum length, and method of taking

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

Content last updated in September 2024.