Go do some research on the trout program in CT and see for yourselfs itis designed to generate revenue first and foremost,it is not manged for the good of the fishery .

I have read and studied reports going back as far as 1943 that I could find and the trout program's main intent is to create revenue.

Here is a good place to start by reading the book "A FISHERY SURVEY OF THE LAKES AND PONDS OF CT by The State of fisheries and Game Lake and Pond survey Unit,Report #1 it's only 393 pages and has some great information.

It was published in 1959 so it is old but it still gives insight into what the trout program was designed to accomplish.
I am grateful our current DEP has drastically changed it's approach and thinking about the trout program ,but I still feel the trout program could be much better even "world class" if managed differantly.
It would also be more cost effective by abolishing opening day and making more changes including the stopping of stocking trout into mud puddles where they will not survive.Put some bass,walleye or other warm water species in these places for anglers,at least these fish would have a chance at surviving.

One report I read in the above mentioned book actually mentions chemically killing all fish in Highland Lake and other surrounding ponds .Than the DEP would stock only trout in Highland creating a place trout fisherman would flock to pumping money into the local economy.The surrounding ponds would be killed off just so the warm water species would not re-invade Highland Lake.Think this sounds crazy.....it was done to Lakeville Lake in the 50's,thats why there are no more lakers and salmon there

It was also the DEP who stocked alewife into are waters(Highland,East Twin,Candlewood) not some bucket bioligest as claimed for years.


Getting rid of opening day and stop stocking warm water ponds with trout would be some good positive changes for the better.It would be a much more productive use of a great resource(trout).

Maybe the state should go back to stocking numerous species like it used to instead of just relying on trout,pike and walleye like it currently does.

CT used to stock lake trout,sockeye salmon ,landlocked atlantic salmon,smelt,large mouth ,small mouth,alewife,golden pond shiners and some other numerous species of fish.

I know this is a ramble but my main point is the trout program was and still is managed to generate revenue and not for the good of the fishery like it should be.