Fishing season ‘unofficially’ kicks off this weekend

The sounds of lines casting will reverberate throughout Connecticut’s bodies of water this weekend as anglers anticipate warm weather to start spring fishing season in the state.

April 13 marks the unofficial kickoff of the spring fishing season in Connecticut as the “catch and release” moratorium for trout fishing ends in the state. According to the Connecticut State Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), the state is expected to stock approximately 500,000 trout this year through May.

Though trout fishing is the focal point of the kickoff, spring is a predominant time for Connecticut anglers to also catch fish that are in season like tautog, winter flounder and kokanee.

From fishing laws to what is common to catch this season, here is what anglers need to know before hitting the water this weekend.

Is Connecticut good for fishing?

Connecticut boasts more than 100 species of fish in Long Island Sound, which includes black sea bass, scup, blue crab, squid and spiny dogfish, according to the DEEP. Aside from Long Island Sound, the state also has more than 180 public lakes and ponds with more than “75 species of freshwater and anadromous fish,” according to Native Fish

Coalition for Connecticut.

Can you fish without a license in Connecticut?

According to DEEP, anyone over the age of 16 who is looking to fish from “shore or from a boat in the marine district” is required to have a license. The two main fishing licenses in Connecticut are “Inland Only” (freshwater) and “Marine Only” (saltwater). Connecticut also offers a license for all water types.

Licenses can be purchased online, from designated vendors or from DEEP offices.

This year, Connecticut residents will have three opportunities to fish for free. No license is required to fish on May 11, while free 1-day licenses are available only on June 16 and Aug. 10. Licenses are still required to fish on “Free Fishing License Day” for June 16 and Aug. 10.

What fish are in season in Connecticut?

Though many fish around Connecticut can be caught year-round, April begins open season for tautog and winter flounder for saltwater anglers, and kokanee and lake trout for freshwater anglers.

What is the most common fish in Connecticut?

The most commonly caught fish in Connecticut is dependent on where someone is fishing in the state. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are common for the Candlewood Lake area, striped bass populate the Connecticut River in vast quantities and stripers, fluke, black seabass, tautog and scup are commonly found in Long Island Sound, according to Fishing Booker, a popular fishing blog.

Where can you fish from the shore in Connecticut?

Connecticut lists its coastal state parks that offer shore fishing including Hammonasset

Beach State Park in Madison and Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. The state has also established its Enhanced Shore Fishing Access Sites program, which promotes fishing along Connecticut’s shoreline. The program is highlighted by a lower minimum length for catchable fluke (17 inches instead of 19) and scup (eight inches instead of 11). A complete list of locations participating in the program can be found on DEEP’s website.