HOME

September 27, 2005

Stocking of some streams may be affected by low flows

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that they are now stocking 45,000 rainbow trout in selected rivers, streams, lakes and ponds across the state as part of the annual autumn trout stocking program. DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division is stocking these adult size rainbow trout in twenty-four lakes and ponds, ten Trout Parks, and twenty-one rivers and streams now through October 14th.

Anglers are advised that the current drought-like conditions may cause some last-minute changes in this fall’s stocking schedule. Because some areas of the state have received only limited amounts of precipitation since June, flows are well below average for this time of the year in many of the state’s rivers and streams. "Unless we get a substantial amount of rainfall in the next week, we are going to have to evaluate the water level situation for each river a day or two before we plan to stock," said David K. Leff, DEP Deputy Commissioner. "If we find that the water levels in a river are too low, those trout will instead be stocked into more suitable waters, in most cases a lake or pond."

This fall, the DEP plans to stock ten of the Trout Management Areas (TMA) and ten Trout Parks. "Although this is only their fourth year, our designated Trout Parks have already become quite popular with anglers," said Deputy Commissioner Leff. "Our Trout Parks provide an excellent family activity and is a great opportunity for them to reconnect with nature. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon during the height of the foliage season than picnicking and fishing in one of our scenic state parks." Most of the Trout Parks include ponds, so stockings of these areas should not be affected by the low stream flows.

This year’s extended period of low flows and summer heat affected trout populations in a number of rivers and streams. Several areas not typically stocked in the fall have been added to the stocking schedule. "We plan special stockings of the Trout Management Areas on the Naugatuck River, Moosup River, and Willimantic River to replace summer losses," said Bill Hyatt, Director of DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. "Again, these stockings will depend on there being sufficient flows in those rivers." Two weeks ago, DEP stocked the Housatonic River TMA with 800 large Seeforellan-strain brown trout to replace fish lost during the summer.

Also, new for 2005, DEP plans a fall stocking of the Shetucket River. New regulations that became effective in April allow fishing for species other than Atlantic salmon in designated Atlantic salmon broodstock areas on the Shetucket River (and also on the Naugatuck River). Previously, anglers could only fish for salmon in designated broodstock areas during the fall and winter. Another new addition to the fall schedule is Valley Falls Park Pond in Vernon.

Trout Parks have a two-fish per day creel limit. Fishing in all fifteen Trout Management Areas is catch-and-release only during the fall. Regulations vary on many of the other waters to be stocked this fall. The DEP advises anglers to check fishing regulations in their 2005 Connecticut Angler’s Guide. Guides are available from Town Clerks, many bait & tackle stores, or by contacting the DEP Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH). The Angler’s Guide can also be accessed on the DEP web site at: http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/fishing/fishinfo/fishinfo2.htm

For interested media venues only: If you are interested in attending a trout stocking run, please contact the DEP’s Office of Communications at (860) 424-4100. Please be advised that the scheduling of trout stocking runs may be subject to last minute changes due to the current drought-like conditions. Note that DEP’s spring trout stockings offer a much wider range of opportunities to observe trout stocking (over 400,000 fish stocked into approximately 200 rivers/streams and 100 lakes/ponds in time for Opening Day).

The Trout Parks, Trout Management areas, and other locations listed below are scheduled to be stocked this fall. Fall trout stocking is scheduled to be completed by October 14.

Trout Parks

Trout Management Areas (TMA)

Rivers and Streams

Lakes and Ponds

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page