Trout stocking numbers

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DEP 2010 Preseason Trout Stocking Underway

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DEP 2010 PRESEASON TROUT STOCKING WELL UNDERWAY

Opening Day of trout season is Saturday, April 17th

Trout Management Areas offer pre-season angling opportunities

FIND YOUR RODS, DUST OFF YOUR LURES, CHECK YOUR WADERS, AND GET READY FOR OPENING DAY OF TROUT FISHING SEASON!

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is also gearing up for the 2010 season. DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division began its annual spring trout stocking on March 1st, and expects to have 389,000 trout stocked throughout the state by Opening Day on April 17, 2010.

Early March stocking can be an adventure, especially when fish often must be carried down slopes through the remnants of winter to reach their destination.

“For many Connecticut families, Opening Day is a tradition rich in memories, and the first opportunity of the season to get outdoors and go trout fishing,” said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP. “Fishing is one of the outdoor activities that we are encouraging more people to do as part of our No Child Left Inside® initiative. Fishing can be a great outdoor adventure for the entire family.”

“Connecticut’s anglers can look forward to exceptional trout fishing this spring,” said Deputy Commissioner Frechette. “Our hatchery staff has worked hard to get another excellent crop of trout ready for Opening Day.”

Over 200 truckloads of trout will be distributed throughout the state in preparation for Opening Day. These trout will be released into 103 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut. The following species & sizes will be stocked for Opening Day:
63,600 brook trout(10-11 inch)
194,300 brown trout(10-11 inch)
6,900 brown trout (12 inch)
8,000 tiger trout (10-12 inch brook/brown hybrid)
94,200 rainbow trout (10-12 inch)
19,500 rainbow trout (12-14 inch)
2,800 surplus broodstock (3-10 pound trout)

Trout anglers looking for an early start to the fishing season can visit one of the state’s sixteen Trout Management Areas (TMA). All these popular areas are open for pre-season catch-and-release fishing. The TMA’s on the Mill River (Fairfield), Saugatuck River, Pequabuck River (including Coppermine Brook), Hammonasset River, Hockanum River, Mill River (Hamden), Naugatuck River, Farmington River, Mianus River, Willimantic River, Moosup River, Yantic River, and Salmon River have already been stocked. There are also plenty of large holdover trout in the TMA’s located on the West Branch Farmington River and the Housatonic River (Housatonic River TMA in Cornwall/Sharon).
This year, ten of these TMA’s will be stocked again in April prior to Opening Day. Class I Wild Trout Management Areas (WTMA) are also open year-round for catch-and-release fishing, and are located on Deep Brook, Eightmile River, Hawleys Brook, Beaver Brook/Merrick Brook, Macedonia Brook, Mill River (in Easton), Quinnipiac River, Tankerhoosen River, and Wachocastinook (Riga) Brook.

Additionally, downstream portions of five of the designated Sea-run Trout Streams (Eightmile River, Farm River, Hammonasset River, Latimer Brook, Whitford Brook) are open year-round with a two trout per day creel limit and a fifteen-inch minimum length.
Currently, an electronic version of the 2010 Guide is available on the DEP website ([url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing"]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing[/url]). Printed versions of the 2010 Angler’s Guide will become available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds in early April. The 2010 print version will also introduce a new and improved look for the CT Angler’s Guide.

How to Obtain Fishing Licenses
Anglers can now purchase their fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEP website ([url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/fishing"]www.ct.gov/dep/fishing[/url]) or call DEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).

DEP reminds anglers age 65 and older that the free resident “lifetime” inland fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for individuals age 65 and older became “annual” licenses effective October 1, 2009. All “age 65 and older” free inland fishing, hunting and trapping licenses obtained since October 1, 2009 must now be renewed annually.

Additionally, all “age 65 and older” free marine fishing licenses must be renewed annually. Holders of age 65 and older “lifetime” Connecticut inland fishing licenses obtained prior to October 1, 2009 are not required reregister for a new license. However, should one lose this “lifetime” license, they will need to obtain a free replacement by accessing the licensing system from their home computer, or by visiting a town hall, DEP office or other participating vendor.

All individuals with “lifetime” hunting or combination hunting & fishing licenses will need to register themselves in the Automated Licensing System to obtain the appropriate permits and tags along with their unique Conservation ID#. In subsequent license years, this Conservation ID# will be re-used and the free hunting license will need to be selected annually prior to obtaining permits and tags. For assistance in renewing these licenses, contact DEP Licensing and Revenue at (860) 424-3105.
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[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/url]
Captain Raul Camejo [url "mailto:raul.camejo@po.state.ct.us"]raul.camejo@ct.gov[/url]
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