|
E-Tackle Box
(links to fishing info)
| |
|
|
|
|
Super Holiday Gift Ideas
|
The DEEP store has an excellent selection of items for the person on your list who is into the great outdoors. The store features hard to find CT specific publications covering hiking, fishing, and more.
|
|
|
|
Mystery Fish
|
Do you recognize this fish found in some CT waters? HINT: it is only about 3 inches long. Email your guess to DEEP.inland.fisheries@ct.gov
The November mystery fish was a Striped sea robin (Prionotus evolans).
Sea robins can be caught in Long Island Sound while fishing on the bottom for fluke or porgy. Most people toss them back, however, large sea robins can be filleted, providing a tasty meal.
|
|
|
Learn to Ice Fish for FREE
|
Come and join your neighbors and friends at a free DEEP ice fishing class available in a community near you. We take care of the instruction and equipment, you bring the family. Check out our video.
|
|
|
|
Budding Angler in Your Family?
| |
|
|
|
|
Connecticut Wildlife Magazine
|
Every issue of this bi-monthly publication includes great wildlife photography, in-depth feature articles written by DEEP biologists, information about hunting and fishing, and natural history articles.
Connecticut Wildlife Magazine is published six times each year.
Subscriptions are $8 for one year, $15 for two, or $20 for three years.
|
|
|
|
Report a Violation
|
Help to protect our natural resources for future outdoor sports enthusiasts. Report suspected violations by calling DEEP Environmental Conservation Police at 1-800-842-HELP
|
|
|
|
Teach With Care
|
If you would like to share your passion for fishing and help to inspire the next generation to get hooked on fishing, then we need you!
All CARE fishing programs are offered at no cost due, in part, to our core of hundreds of State certified volunteer instructors. Join CARE today. Contact Tom or Justin at 860-633-1656 for more information. |
|
|
|
Need a Permit?
|
P lanning a fishing tournament or derby? Would you like to stock some fish in your pond? You can now take advantage of our new on-line permit application system, ezFile. To get started, download Google Chrome, create your user account, and submit an application. If you have questions, give us a call at 860-424-FISH (3474).
|
|
|
|
Missed an Issue of CT Fishin' Tips?
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| December 2014 offers an extremely rare and unique opportunity. The Inland Fisheries Division is stocking surplus Seeforellen strain Brown Trout, averaging 15 pounds, into 8 lakes around CT during the month. Some of these fish will be just over 20 pounds. We hope that you will be able to try and catch one of these "fish of a lifetime." |
 50% off of Fishing and Hunting Licenses for all 16 or 17 year old residents of CT.
Effective December 1, 2014 the fee for all 2015 fishing and hunting licenses, tags, permits, and/or stamps has been reduced to 50% of the resident cost for all 16 or 17 year old CT residents.
|
| Family Ice Fishing Classes: FREE! Check our frequently updated schedule and then, sign-up. Ice fishing is the perfect low-cost outdoor winter activity for the entire family. Try it and you will be "hooked". |
 Family Ice Fishing Derby-Coventry Lake,
Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 9 am to 12 noon at Patriot's Park, 172 Lake Street, Coventry.
This derby is designed to introduce families to all aspects of ice fishing. Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) Instructors will provide one-on-one lessons on how to drill a hole, set up a tip-up and jigging rod, and provide bait. Dress for cold weather and leave your sneakers at home! Check out our introduction to ice fishing introduction to ice fishing video.
|
|
Families are encouraged to come out and participate in ice fishing (ice fishing equipment, bait, and instruction provided), snowshoeing, animal tracking, ice rescue, canine search & rescue, a bonfire, and a variety of other winter activities. Waterproof boots and warm clothing highly recommended.
|
 Trophy Fish Award ProgramThe trophy fish award program recognizes and rewards angling skill. If your fish meets the minimum size requirements and you submit an affidavit with photo, you are eligible to receive a trophy fish award pin. Get all of the details about the trophy fish award program in our Angler's Guide or on line. |
The next CARE new instructor training will be on
Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 10 am to 2 pm at the CARE facility, 360 North Branford Road (Route 80), Killingworth.Looking to share your passion for fishing with the next generation of anglers? Join the hundreds of active State certified fishing instructors. Contact CARE at 860-663-1656.
|
 Ice fishing is a unique way to spend quality time outdoors, enjoying the winter season. Please be sure to check with your local bait and tackle shop to get the latest "pointers" and places with safe ice thickness. Below are a few of the basics to get you started.
|
 Auger: A drill-like tool to cut a hole into the ice. Augers look like a giant cork screw. They are powered by gas, propane, or by hand and come in different diameters including 6", 8" or 12". |
 Tip up: A fishing device that has a spool and a flag. Your bait of choice is placed on a hook, lowered into the hole and a flag is set (like a mouse trap). When the fish bites, the flag goes up! |
 Jigging Rod: Looks like a mini fishing pole as it is only about 2 feet in length. Live bait, small lures (jigs), or both can be placed on the line, lowered into the hole, and moved up and down to entice fish to bite. |
 Bait: Can be live, like mealworms, minnows (of various sizes), moussies or maggots (fly larva) or a small lure or jig. Match the type of bait to the kind of fish you would like to catch. |
|
Brown Trout-Seeforellen Strain: Originally from Germany, this strain of Brown Trout is known for rapid growth to a very large size. Seeforellens tend to reach their greatest potential in large cool lakes.
|
|
The Inland Fisheries Division has been raising the Seeforellen strain at the Kensington State Fish Hatchery since 1996. Most of the offspring have been used to stock our lakes and ponds, hoping to provide some lucky anglers with the trout of a lifetime.
|
|
This month, 400 of the largest surplus broodstock (5 year old fish), will be stocked into 8 lakes across Connecticut ( Black Pond in Meriden/Middlefield, Cedar Lake in Chester, East Twin Lake in Salisbury, Highland Lake in Winsted, Long Pond in Ledyard/North Stonington, Mashapaug Lake in Union, Squantz Pond in New Fairfield, and West Hill Pond in Barkhamsted). These fish are very large, averaging 15 pounds and take up a lot of space at our hatchery. They will be replaced with the upcoming generations of 2, 3, and 4 year old fish. |
 This is a fantastic opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime. We hope you have the chance to get out and try your skill. If you are fortunate enough to catch one of these giants, please send us a photo at deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov |
 CEDAR LAKE, Chester is just over 69 acres. It is a natural lake with maximum depth of 40 feet. A state-owned boat launch is located in the northern shore with room for about 6 vehicles. This month Cedar Lake was stocked with 50 of our extra large Seeforellen Brown Trout mentioned above. In addition, Cedar Lake boasts a diverse fishery with Brown and Rainbow trout stocked in the spring and warmwater fish like bass, pickerel, and panfish providing great angling throughout the summer. For the past three years walleye have been stocked as 3-4 inch yearlings. Soon these fish should reach the state minimum size of 18 inches, providing a unique fishery for years to come. While in the area, take in some of the nearby natural resources, such as Cockaponset State Forest, Haddam Meadows State Park, and Chatfield Hollow State Park.
|
 By purchasing a fishing license, you help to support conservation and improvement of Connecticut's fisheries. Thank you! |
|
|
