My 2 cents:

Trout stocking is directly tied to DEP finances.
Thats the way it has always been and it probably isn't going to change.

I dont know the actual specs but I know that the majority of the fishing licences that are sold in this state will be sold this week.
The majority of people that purchase licences, “Put N Takers”, go to one of the trout parks, or heavily stocked streams, for one or two trips and then hang up the rods for the rest of the year.

The DEP could put in less trout and that would leave extra money to spend on other programs but it would also, most likely, result in lost licence revenue next year.
(If the Put N Takers don't see any fish caught they probably wont go out the next year)

I look at it this way;
The entire holdover trout fishery in the bigger lakes, the trophys we are looking for, is basicly a byproduct of the initial stocking (which is paid for by those “Put N Takers” we all like to bash).
Aside from the native/wild streams scattered throuout the state, there really aren't a lot of trout born in CT lakes.

There's absolutely no reason the bait shops can not create a DERBY that would replace the OPENING DAY draw of business. They could probably up their revenues that way too. Regular customers would participate. They could purchsae trout to stock for the event. It is very possible to keep the business there, without OPENING DAY!

Posted by Greengo Bob

How is stocking mud puddles that are less than 10ft deep generating revenue? Look through the Anglers Guide, then look through the Guide to Ponds and Lakes and see what is written about the depth and summer oxygen leves for trout. Those fish it uncaught will be dead by July if not sooner due to the water temperature. 60% is a huge number. I'm all for taking a kid fishing, but not just to catch trout one day a year. They already have trout parks which are perfect for this purpose and stocked heavily all spring.

Running a company, would you spend 60% of yur profits to make money? Doesn't sound like a recipe for success. The DEP is crying poor and pushing for a saltwater license to generate money to save jobs. Cutting back on stocking unsuitable waters would be a good way to save some money instead of taxing the residents more. Believe me. There are plenty of great streams, ponds and lakes that are suitable for stocking fish that will hold out most of the season until August rolls around.

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.