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

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02/18/2020

DEEP Announces the Winner of the 7th Annual Fishing Guide Cover Photo Contest

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2020 Fishing Guide Cover Photo(HARTFORD, CT) - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced the winner of the seventh Annual Fishing Guide Cover Photo Contest. This year’s cover features a photograph submitted by Jim Curcuruto of Middlebury. The winning photo, captured by Jim, shows himself and his son Cooper Curcuruto with a pair of Largemouth Bass caught at the same time while fishing at Taunton Lake in Newtown.

 

Jim stated that he and his son Cooper, both of whom are members of Newton Fish & Game, are excited about being selected for the fishing guide cover. Jim recalls, “This photo was taken the morning of June 15 and we used spinning rods with wacky-rigged Senko worms. A typical day of fishing there gets us up early and on the lake around 6:30 a.m. Most of the bass we catch are released, but the occasional one makes it to our table. We catch "doubles" every once in a while but unfortunately for me, my catch is always smaller than Cooper's.” The father-son duo did a lot of fishing in Connecticut in 2019, but noted that their favorite locations are the Pomperaug River for trout and, not surprisingly, Taunton Lake for bass.

 

Jim and Cooper were officially announced as the winners this morning, Feb. 18, at a press conference, where DEEP Fisheries Division Director, Pete Aarrestad, and Division staff gave a behind-the-scenes look at the Burlington State Fish Hatchery. One of three hatcheries in the state system, the Burlington hatchery is responsible for raising one hundred thousand fish each year, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Kokanee Salmon, which are ultimately stocked in waters throughout Connecticut.

 

Adult anglers spend more than 4.4 million fishing days on Connecticut waters each year. This translates to nearly $450 million in economic activity across the state, resulting in thousands of jobs from bait and tackle shops as well guided trips, visits to local restaurants, and other support services.  The Fishing Guide, which is free to the public, covers a wide array of materials including the locations of public fishing areas, open seasons, and record weights of numerous species.

 

“In addition to summarizing the rules and regulations for sport fishing, the Connecticut Fishing Guide informs anglers from all over of the fabulous fishing opportunities our state has to offer,” said Director Aarrestad. “I always love to see the photographs entered in the cover photo contest because they show families and friends getting outside and enjoying these resources. This year’s winning entry particularly exemplifies that joy.”

 

The 2020 edition of the guide will be released later this month. To see a copy of the 2019 Fishing Guide, visit www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide

 

For more information about the Annual Fishing Guide Photo Contest, visit www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguidephotocontest