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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08/08/2024

12th Annual Saltwater Fishing Day Happening August 10th

Spend Time Outdoors With Friends And Family Catching Great Memories (And a Fish or Two); FREE Transportation Offered Through ParkConneCT!

(HARTFORD, CT)- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s No Child Left Inside ®  program, in partnership with DEEP’s Fish with CARE program, is hosting the 12th annual Saltwater Fishing Day on August 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the fishing pier at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London.

There will be fishing and crabbing opportunities on the fishing pier for the entire family!  Fish with CARE staff and volunteers will be there with fishing poles and bait, and will provide fishing instruction, if needed.  Due to the fluid storm predictions for the day, please visit the Fisheries (@CTFishandWildlife) and State Parks (@CTStateParks) social media pages for any last-minute updates or changes.

Need transportation to the event? The ParkConneCT program is pleased to offer FREE charter bus transportation for this event. DEEP is offering two pick up locations for the event:

  • North Haven State Street Park & Ride: Bus Transportation for both events will originate at the CTDOT Route 40 @ Devine Street (Exit 1) East lot/B lot. CT Transit Routes 224 and 950 serve the lot directly.
  • East Hartford Main Street Park & Ride: Bus Transportation for both events will originate at the CTDOT Route 5 @ Main Street (Route 15 Exit 30) lot. CT Transit Routes 87 and 95 serve the lot directly.

Participants should plan to be at the pickup location at 8:45 a.m. on the day of the Saltwater Fishing Day Excursion. To reserve your seat, please register online. Participants should register early, since seat reservations on the bus are limited and registration will close when seats are filled. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“Saltwater Fishing Day is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and families to either try saltwater fishing for the first time, or reconnect with a cherished pastime,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “This is a great partnership between our Fisheries and Parks Divisions to provide residents and their families with a fun outdoor event. This is also the second “excursion” DEEP and our CTDOT partners are sponsoring through our ParkConneCT program, and yet another way we’re working to increase access to our wonderful outdoor spaces in Connecticut.”

August 10th is also the second of two “free fishing license days” in 2024. To fish for free, anyone – resident or non-resident – can obtain a free one-day fishing license -- good for both the inland and marine districts --through the DEEP online sportsmen licensing system (https://ct.aspirafocus.com/internetsales ) or at any venue that sells fishing licenses.

“The designated “Free Fishing License Day” is one of DEEP’s initiatives designed to connect people with outdoor activities and Connecticut’s natural resources,” said Pete Aarrestad, DEEP Fisheries Division Director. “Free Fishing License Day reflects how fishing is much more than catching fish.  For many, the quality time spent connecting with friends and family outdoors is priceless. Many of those who took advantage of the previous ‘Free Fishing License Days’ have either fished as a youngster or have held a fishing license in past years.  We know that once people come out and fish our many lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and Long Island Sound they will be amazed at how much they have been missing.”

Connecticut has just about every type of fishing within 25 miles of every resident including trout, bass, pike, panfish, and saltwater species including striped bass, fluke, porgy or bluefish. Combining the annual Saltwater Fishing Day with Free Fishing License Day provides families the opportunity to plan an outing focused around fishing together as each family member 16 years of age or older can obtain a free one-day fishing license.

Those who are 15 or younger do not need a fishing license but can register using the same online system to obtain a “Youth Fishing Passport.” The Youth Fishing Passport provides access to the year-long fishing challenge. Saltwater Fishing Day is a good way to check off several species on the “Fishing Challenge Scorecard,” a year-long fishing checklist where young anglers can keep track of all of the different types of fish they catch. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing/care/fishing-challenge for details.

Need to brush up on the fishing rules? English and Spanish versions of the Guide can be found online at https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing/general-information/fishing-guide and print versions are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including many town halls, bait & tackle shops and 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: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing/ct-fishing, and on our social media channels; Facebook at www.facebook.com/ctfishandwildlife

 

Saltwater Fishing Day 1

Saltwater Fishing Day 2

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Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110