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

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05/23/2017

DEEP Completes 2017 Catfish Stockings

Catfish provide great fishing opportunities all summer long!

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that for the eleventh consecutive year, one of the most sought after freshwater game fish species in the country, the Channel Catfish, has been stocked into twenty-four water bodies across Connecticut (see list of locations below.)
This year approximately 15,800 fish were stocked.  The “cats” stocked include adult fish (about 5,800) averaging 12-18 inches in length and weighing just under 2 pounds; and juvenile fish (about 10,000), averaging 9-12 inches and about ½ pound in weight. Stocking the larger fish provides an immediate summer fishery for a great tasting-high quality fish, while stocking the smaller fish provides a cost-effective investment for great catfish fishing into the future.
“This DEEP program establishes channel catfish in lakes where we know there is sufficient habitat to support a population of large gamefish,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources. “Anglers have reported taking five-to-seven pound fish from several of the lakes. DEEP believes that the combination of a popular gamefish stocked into waters that are selected based on scientific data is a winning combination. We’ve had great success in using this approach to develop exciting fisheries for northern pike and walleye and now we’re seeing similar results with catfish.”
Just over half of the locations stocked are part of DEEP’s Community Fishing Waters Program (CFW). Community fishing waters are located in municipal parks that are in close proximity to hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents. Many of these waters are located along bus stops enabling willing anglers to ride the bus to fish. The intent of the Community Fishing Water program is to create and enhance year-round fishing opportunities in highly populated areas by combining trout stocking (in the spring), catfish stocking (in late spring or early summer), or both. This program began in 2007 and has expanded to now include fourteen lakes or ponds.
“Connecticut has a diversity of fishing opportunities, freshwater and marine, all within a short drive or bus ride from most citizens. Stocking catfish in urban areas provides excellent family recreational opportunities close to home for the many local residents,” said Bill Hyatt. “The Community Fishing Program is one of our many efforts to promote fishing throughout the state and to provide opportunities for all to enjoy the great outdoors.”
Tips on fishing for Channel Cats and how to prepare a delicious meal with your catch are easily found with a quick internet search. There is currently no minimum size for harvest or daily catch limit for catfish in Connecticut. DEEP strongly encourages anglers to enjoy fishing and catching this great gamefish, but please only take those fish you intend to eat.
All anglers can find fishing regulations in the 2017 Connecticut Angler’s Guide, found online at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. Print version of the guides are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including many town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds, or by contacting DEEP’s Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH). Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife.
Water
Community
Approximate Number
Size**
 Silver Lake  Berlin-Meriden
 1,320
  juvenile fish
 Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park Pond)*  Bridgeport
 750
  adult fish
 Birge Pond*  Bristol
 450
  adult fish
 Lake Kenosia  Danbury
 550
  juvenile fish
 Picketts Pond*  Derby
 400
  adult fish
 Freshwater Pond*  Enfield
 400
  adult fish
 Batterson Park Ponf  Farmington-New Britain
 285
  juvenile fish
 Hopeville Pond  Griswold
 1,300
  juvenile fish
 Lake Wintergreen*  Hamden
 1,275
  juvenile and adult fish
 Keeney Park Pond*  Hartford
 250
  adult fish
 Quinebaug Lake  Killingly
 800
  juvenile fish
 Center Springs Park Pond*
 Manchester
 275
  adult fish
 Mirror Lake (Hubbard Park Pond)*  Meriden
 300
  adult fish
 Black Pond  Meriden-Middlefield
 670
  juvenile fish
 Rowans Pond (Butternut Park Pond)*
 Middletown
 200
  adult fish
 Stanley Quarter Pond*  New Britain
 275
  adult fish
 Beaver Park Lagoon (North)*  New Haven
 350
  adult fish
 Spaulding Pond (Mohegan Park Pond)*  Norwich
 550
  adult fish
 Maltby Pond #2  Orange-West Haven
 165
  juvenile fish
 Maltby Pond #3  Orange-West Haven
 200
  juvenile fish
 Stillwater Pond  Torrington
 940
  juvenile fish
 Burr Pond  Torrington
 800
  juvenile fish
 Lakewood Lake*  Waterbury
 1,300
  juvenile & adult fish 
 Scoville Reservoir  Wolcott
 1,120
  juvenile fish

*Community Fishing Water
**Juvenile fish are in the 9-12 inch range, adult fish are in the 12-18 inch range (with some larger).
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