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. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

CT MRIP Marine Angler Survey

Saltwater anglers displaying their catch.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is part of NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP): the state-regional-federal partnership responsible for estimating recreational fishing activity across the United States. During the fishing season, DEEP fisheries staff conduct in-person interviews with anglers returning to marinas, boat ramps, beaches, fishing piers, and other publicly accessible fishing sites. We count the number of anglers returning from fishing trips, measure and weigh the fish that were caught, and collect information about fish that were released. These interviews are confidential, and the information samplers collect is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974.

If you encounter DEEP field samplers in the field, please take a few minutes to answer our questions about your fishing trip. Sharing this information is one of the most important contributions you can make to fisheries science, management, and the sustainability of a great American pastime.

Visit countmyfish.noaa.gov to learn more about the state-regional-federal partnership that generates the marine recreational fisheries statistics used to assess and maintain healthy U.S. fish stocks.

Meet the CT DEEP MRIP Marine Angler Survey Team

Content last updated in April 2022.