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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03/05/2020

DEEP Seeking Opinions on Warm Water Fisheries

Join a Series of Discussions in March

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Fisheries Division is pleased to invite all those interested to attend one of the public discussions focused on the State’s warm water recreational fisheries. The purpose of these meetings is to hear the public’s ideas and concerns specific to recreational fishing for bass, pike, walleye, catfish, carp, or pan fish.

“Informed conversations between our passionate and loyal anglers and the Fisheries Division are essential to ensuring we are managing these fisheries in the most relevant and meaningful manner, consistent with the preferences and desires of the people we serve,” said Pete Aarrestad, director of DEEP’s Fisheries Division.

Each meeting begins with a brief presentation about the Fisheries Division’s management of warm water fisheries and then expands to discussion on 4 key focal points related to warm water fisheries: 

  • What makes a good fishing trip?
  • What is the Fisheries Division doing well?
  • Where can the Fisheries Division improve?
  • What actions could be taken to increase the number people fishing?

All are encouraged to attend and provide their perspectives. At the conclusion of the meetings, comments will be compiled and considered to help inform the Fisheries Division’s development of a statewide warm water fisheries action plan.

To help determine the level of attendance and ensure sufficient accommodations for all, we are asking likely attendees to RSVP by calling the Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474 or by email to mike.beauchene@ct.gov.  Doors open 30 minute prior to the start of each meeting. Meeting dates, times and location are:

Date

Time

Location/GPS address

03/09/2020

7-9 pm

Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area

391 Route 32, North Franklin

3/12/2020

7-9 pm

Quinebaug Valley State Trout Hatchery

114 Trout Hatchery Road, Plainfield

3/14/2020

(Saturday)

3-5 pm

Kellogg Environmental Center

500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby

3/16/2020

7-9 pm

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area

341 Milford Road, Burlington

3/20/2020

7-9 pm

CT Forest and Park Association Headquarters

16 Meriden Road, Middlefield

 

Contact:

Ed Machowski

860-424-3927

Christopher McDowell

860-424-4143