October 6, 2004

DEP Announces Atlantic Salmon Stocking

Atlantic salmon are renowned for their propensity for jumping clear of the water and their fighting ability when caught by angling. If hooking-up with one of these acrobats sounds like an exciting way to spend a beautiful crisp fall day, then the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a fantastic opportunity for you! The DEP today announced that the Inland Fisheries Division will begin its annual stocking of surplus broodstock Atlantic salmon by releasing approximately 250 salmon into the Shetucket River and the Naugatuck River next week.

The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocking program has become quite popular,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner David K. Leff. “Catching an Atlantic salmon is a very special moment. Until this program was started in the early 1990’s, being able to fish for them in Connecticut was only a dream for our state’s anglers. These fish are the progeny of searun salmon that returned to the Connecticut River. They were raised in hatcheries to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. Having served this purpose, they will provide a unique opportunity for Connecticut anglers.”

Broodstock Atlantic salmon are three to four years old and weigh between 2 and 15 pounds each. The fish that will be released in October are surplus and barren fish from the Kensington State Fish Hatchery. Following spawning, the DEP expects an additional 500-600 salmon to be available for stocking. Additional fish may also become available following spawning in federal fish hatcheries in November and December. Anglers who catch large broodstock salmon are encouraged to submit Trophy Fish Award affidavits to DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. There are both catch-and-release and the traditional weighed categories. Anglers are reminded that clear photos of the catch are required (and high quality photos also have a chance of appearing in future publications). Complete rules and the affidavit form can be found on pages 46 and 47 of the 2004 CT Angler’s Guide.

All Atlantic salmon broodstock will be stocked into three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas: the Shetucket River between Scotland Dam (Scotland) and Occum Dam (Norwich); the “Campville Section” of the upper Naugatuck River from Bogue Road downstream to the Thomaston Flood Control Dam (Litchfield-Thomaston); and the “Beacon Falls Section” of the lower Naugatuck from Prospect Street (Naugatuck) downstream to Pines Bridge Road (Beacon Falls).

Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches (Torrington) downstream to its confluence with the Housatonic River (Derby). Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam. Anglers may fish for salmon in the portion of the Shetucket River that extends downstream from the Scotland Dam (Windham) to the Water Street Bridge (Norwich-Preston), the first bridge upstream of Norwich Harbor.

Angling for broodstock Atlantic salmon is restricted to catch-and-release only through November 30. The daily creel limit is zero and all Atlantic salmon must be immediately returned, without avoidable injury, to the waters from which taken. From December 1, 2004, through March 31, 2005, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon is one. During the open season, the legal method for taking Atlantic salmon is limited to angling using a single fly, or an artificial lure with a single free swinging hook. No additional weight may be added to the line above the fly or lure. Currently, during the period from October 1, 2004, through March 31, 2005, in the designated Broodstock Areas anglers may only fish for salmon (i.e. fishing for other fish species is prohibited).

Anglers should be aware that DEP has proposed regulations that will allow fishing for other species in the designated Broodstock Areas (angling would be restricted to methods legal for broodstock Atlantic salmon) and also modify the upstream boundary of the upper Naugatuck River Broodstock Area. These regulations have been reviewed in a public hearing and are expected to be enacted in early 2005.

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