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

Press Releases

DEEP News Release Header

05/08/2019

May 11 is FREE Family Fishing Day in Connecticut

No fishing license or Trout and Salmon Stamp required – Excellent opportunity to take the entire family fishing for free anywhere!

Saturday, May 11, is a great day to be outdoors with your family – it’s the first day of Connecticut’s Great Park Pursuit: Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure and Family Fishing Day across the state.  
 
“Free fishing day is a special opportunity to turn down the noise of everyday life and connect with the natural world around us. For some, it's a first exposure to fishing. For others, it's a long-overdue return to something we enjoy. I hope you will join my family in participating in this state-wide event," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.
The Great Park Pursuit kicks off at Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth with a free fishing event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that will include fishing in the pond, fish stocking, a fish fry, and fun activities for all ages.  The day’s events at Chatfield Hollow State Park also include an unveiling of a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) statue outside the Oak Lodge at 1 p.m. This will commemorate the first CCC camp location in Connecticut.  The kickoff event is a partnership between DEEP’s No Child Left Inside program and the Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program. More information can be found at www.NoChildLeftInside.org, or email Kristen.Bellantuono@ct.gov or call DEEP State Parks at (860) 424-3200.
There are a number of fishing events in addition to the Great Park Pursuit that are scheduled to take place on “Family Fishing Day.” 
Other fishing events this coming Saturday include: 
  • Merwin Meadows, Wilton CT- Fly Fishing Clinic. The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited is offering a free Fly Fishing Clinic at Merwin Meadows Park in Wilton between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fly casting, knot tying, aquatic insect identification and a late barbecue lunch are on the schedule. More information can be found at www.mianustu.org. For reservations email jyates@mianustu.org or call 203-216-7078.
  • Mirror Lake, Hubbard Park, Meriden, CT- Carl D’Addaraio Children’s Fishing Derby. Annual children's fishing event sponsored by the Meriden Rod and Gun Club and the City of Meriden with prizes in various age groups for biggest fish and most fish caught. Each child also gets a free hotdog and soft drink. Some of the top prizes include bicycles. This event is rain or shine and registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the derby starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 12 noon. For more information contact Mike Roberts at michaelroberts@mindspring.com
Although no licenses or the new Trout and Salmon stamp are required, all other Connecticut fishing laws and regulations apply on “Family Fishing Day.”  Check fishing regulations in the 2019 Connecticut Fishing Guide (also in Spanish), found online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishingguide. Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing. Fisheries and Wildlife can be found directly on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife.
Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook