DEEP Invites You to Celebrate Spring Fishing Day on Saturday April 12

Press Releases

04/11/2025

DEEP Invites You to Celebrate Spring Fishing Day on Saturday April 12

Go Fishing to Celebrate the Start of Catch and Keep Trout Fishing, and Help DEEP Stock Trout Parks Around the State

(HARTFORD) - Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites all residents and their families to celebrate Spring Fishing Day this Saturday, April 12. Every spring, the second Saturday in April is the start of the "catch and keep" season for trout. Starting at 6:00 a.m. on April 12, anglers are allowed to keep the trout they catch, though the permissible numbers and size of fish that can be kept varies by waterbody. While trout fishing is open year-round, it is "catch and release" fishing only from March 1 until 6:00 a.m. on April 12 on most waterways in the state (the exceptions are Trout Management Lakes, Sea-Run Trout Streams, and waters designated as "Tidal Waters and Tributaries").

To celebrate Spring Fishing Day, DEEP plans to conduct several trout stocking events throughout the state on Saturday, April 12. Twelve of these events will occur at waters designated as "Trout Parks," which are areas tailored to easily accessible, family-friendly fishing opportunities (see list of event locations and times below).

"Connecticut is home to some of the best fishing in the Northeast, which is why fishing and boating are the top contributors to our outdoor recreation economy," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "Thanks to our hatchery system, we're able to offer exceptional fishing experiences-even in a densely populated state with an avid angling community."

DEEP has been stocking trout at various locations since February and overall will release more than 500,000 trout this spring into more than 100 lakes and ponds and 135 rivers and streams. Among the best places for families to fish are the 13 designated Trout Park ponds or the 16 Community Fishing Waters (CFWs). The CFWs are scattered throughout the state in cities and large towns and are managed to provide fishing opportunities in or close to urban areas.

"We look forward to our annual "Come Stock With DEEP" day every year. It's obvious that the simple act of carrying trout in a bucket of water to the water's edge and watching them swim away can create lasting memories for our younger generations," said Pete Aarrestad, Director of DEEP's Fisheries Division. "Our Trout Parks and Community Fishing Waters are key to providing equitable access to trout fishing to Connecticut's residents. We hope to see you at one of our stocking locations on Saturday, April 12."

The following is a list of waters where the public is invited to stock with DEEP as we celebrate the start of Catch and Keep Trout Fishing on April 12, 2025. The approximate stocking times are listed. It is recommended that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

Trout Parks	April 12 stocking time
Black Rock State Park (Watertown)	10:00 a.m.
Chatfield Hollow State Park (Killingworth)	10:00 a.m.
Day Pond (Colchester)	8:00 a.m.
Great Hollow at Wolfe Park (Monroe)	10:00 a.m.
Kent Falls State Park (Kent)	8:30 a.m.
McGovern Pond (West Hartford)	8:00 a.m.
Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich)	8:00 a.m.
Pasture Pond (Plainfield)	8:00 a.m.
Southford Falls State Park (Oxford)	8:00 a.m.
Stratton Brook State Park (Simsbury)	8:00 a.m.
Valley Falls Pond (Vernon)	8:00 a.m.
Wharton Brook State Park (Wallingford)	10:15 a.m.

DEEP Staff will be available immediately following the stocking activities for interviews on Saturday, April 12, at the following locations:

Black Rock State Park (Tom Chairvolotti - Thomas.Chairvolotti@ct.gov)

Kent Falls State Park (Drew Ransom - Andrew.Ransom@ct.gov )

McGovern Pond (Matt Devine - Matthew.Devine@ct.gov)

Southford Falls State Park (Pete Aarrestad - Peter.Aarrestad@ct.gov)

Stratton Brook State Park (Matt Goclowski - Matthew.Goclowski@ct.gov) (Tom Chairvolotti - Thomas.Chairvolotti@ct.gov)

Valley Falls Pond (Andrew Bade - Andrew.Bade@ct.gov)

Wharton Brook State Park (Mike Beauchene - Mike.Beauchene@ct.gov)

About Catch and Keep Trout Season:

Trout fishing is open year-round per Public Act 21-12. Anglers are reminded that trout fishing is catch and release only statewide from March 1 until 6:00 a.m. on April 12, except for Trout Management Lakes (TML) where harvest of one trout is allowed (check each lake for specific size limits via DEEP's Fishing Guide) and Sea-Run Trout Streams or "Tidal Waters and Tributaries" where the daily limit is two trout with a 15-inch minimum length.

Starting at 6:00 a.m. on April 12, anglers are allowed to keep their catch from most waters*. The number and size of fish you can keep varies by waterbody as many trout fishing areas have special regulations, including Trout Parks, Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Sea-Run Trout Streams, and Wild Trout Management Areas. Fishing regulations are available on DEEP's CT Fishing Webpage as well as on the world's largest fishing app, FishBrain.

*Anglers are not allowed to keep their catch at any time from year-round catch and release sections of Trout Management Areas or from any Class 1 Wild Trout Management Area.

Cold Water Safety:

Boaters are reminded to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Despite the warm air temperatures we often experience in Connecticut during spring months, water temperatures will remain cold throughout the spring. Whether paddling in a canoe or kayak or fishing from a motorized vessel, a PFD can save your life should you capsize. While DEEP recommends all boaters wear a PFD when on the water, State law requires anyone aboard manually-propelled vessels - both operators and passengers regardless of age - to wear a PFD during the cold water months between October 1 and May 31.

Trout Stocking Information:

Anglers can find more information on trout stocking online using DEEP's Interactive Trout Stocking Map. This mobile-friendly application provides the number of days since the last stocking at each of our stocked waters, enabling anglers to search for their favorite waterbody, find a new favorite, or look for those that have been stocked most recently.

Trout Stamp Information:

Trout anglers ages 16 and older are reminded that they may need to purchase a Trout & Salmon Stamp in addition to their fishing license. This stamp is required to fish in any designated Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area, Trout Park, or Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Area and is required for anglers harvesting trout or salmon anywhere throughout the state.

There are several exemptions from the requirements for a Trout & Salmon Stamp. Holders of lifetime fishing licenses issued to persons that are blind, have an intellectual disability, or have certain physical disabilities are exempt from the requirement. Additionally, those fishing waters that are not stocked by the State but have been stocked by another entity (e.g., a fish and game club, or stockings by a town or other organization for a local fishing derby) do not need the stamp.

The fees for the Trout & Salmon Stamp are $5 for Connecticut residents who are 18 and older, $3 for Connecticut residents ages 16 or 17, and $5 for nonresident anglers aged 16 and older. Information on the stamp can be found in the 2025 Fishing Guide and at DEEP's CT Fishing webpage.

You can purchase your 2025 fishing licenses and Trout & Salmon Stamps directly online through our mobile-friendly online licensing site. You also can obtain them at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices throughout the state. Remember that fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses for 16- and 17-year-olds are reduced from the adult rate (most hunting and fishing permits, stamps and tags are also reduced for 16- and 17-year-olds).

For a complete list of fishing license vendors, visit the DEEP CT Fishing website or call DEEP Licensing and Revenue at 860-424-3105.Twitter: @CTDEEPNews Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

Contact

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

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