The results are in. After much discussion, Inland Fisheries Division has decided to make the following additions to the species list for next year's Trophy Fish Awards.
TROPHY FISH AWARD SPECIES LIST ADDITIONS
American Eel (inland & marine catches will be treated as the same species and have the same qualifications) Atlantic Salmon (yes)* Bowfin (no) ILLEGAL TO POSSES A LIVE FISH; BY STATUE; MAY CHANGE Burbot (no) ILLEGAL TO POSSES; ENDANGERED SPECIES; WILL NOT CHANGE Fallfish (yes) Grass pickerel (no) Difficult to identify & very small; let me know what you think. Green sunfish (no) Very few in CT; IFD does not want this limited species targeted. Longear sunfish (no) NOT FOUND IN CONNECTICUT; typically is a Blue GillxRed Breast hybrid Northern Redhorse (no)** NOT FOUND IN CONNECTICUT Redbreast Sunfish (yes) Sunfish Hybrids (yes) Sunfish over 10" usually are hybrids Tiger Trout (yes) This was left off the list by accident White Sucker (yes) Yellow Bullhead (yes)
Qualifing weights and lengths are to follow. They will be found in the new Angler's Guide (when published) & I'll post them here when finalized.
* includes only hatchery-reared broodstock released into the Broodstock Atlantic Salmon waters and some lakes. Wild Atlantic salmon from the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound are illegal to possess and are not included in the Trophy Fish Award program.
** We have never found a Northern Redhorse in our field work. If you think you have found one please send me pictures. Include pictures of a full side view, top view and a close-up of the mouth. Characteristics of the mouth are definitive for all sucker species. Perhaps you have found something that we have never seen. In the past anglers have alerted us to new things.
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