Recent Posts ctfisherman.com en-us Tue, 26 May 2026 09:07:27 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm 5 connecticutfisherman@gmail.com CT DEP News & Announcements CT DEP News & Announcements https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/images/general/default/rss_icon.gif https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm $450,000 Awarded to Ten Projects to Help Restore CT Waterbodies https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1859273#Post1859273 Mitch P.
on: 03/19/26 10:08 AM

DEEP Announces Recipients of Sixth Annual Grant Round for Aquatic Invasive Species Control on Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers

https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases...species-control]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:08:28 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1859273#Post1859273 2024 State of Connecticut Bass Tournament Fishing Report https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1855010#Post1855010 Mitch P.
on: 03/06/25 10:48 AM

2024 State of Connecticut Bass Tournament Fishing Report

We are excited to announce the release of "The State of Connecticut Bass Tournament Fishing," our comprehensive annual report offering valuable insights into bass tournament fishing across the state.

As bass tournament fishing continues to be a major part of Connecticut’s recreational activities, this report provides an in-depth look at tournament trends, the impact on local waterbodies, and key statistics that are vital for anglers, tournament organizers, and fisheries managers alike.

Key Findings from the 2024 Report:
• 42 Waterbodies Hosted Tournaments: A total of 42 lakes and reservoirs across Connecticut hosted at least one bass tournament in 2024.
• Candlewood Lake Leads with 150 Tournaments: Candlewood Lake remains the most popular tournament destination, hosting 150 bass fishing events in 2024 alone.
• Biggest Bass: The report highlights the top 20 largest bass caught during tournaments, showcasing the quality of fishing in the state.
• Tournament Pressure Insights: A breakdown of monthly tournament activity, including the concentration of events on Connecticut’s most renowned fisheries.
• Overall Post-Tournament Reporting: The overall rate of post-tournament fish reporting stands at 35%. As this rate improves, future reports will provide more detailed population insights.

This report is designed to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including:
• Bass Tournament Organizers: To help guide future event planning and understand regional trends.
• Everyday Anglers: To stay informed about bass tournament activity and the health of Connecticut’s bass populations.
• Lake Association Groups: For insights on tournament frequency and its potential impact on local waters.
• Fisheries Managers and Stakeholders: To use data-driven information in managing and conserving the state's bass fisheries.

We encourage you to share this report with anyone who may find it of interest, including fellow anglers, tournament organizers, and local lake associations. Additionally, tournament directors are continually encouraged to begin providing post-tournament reports after every event to help increase the total reporting percentage. This will ultimately make the report more accurate and valuable to the entire bass fishing community.

We look forward to your feedback and to working together to continue improving Connecticut’s bass fisheries. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at spencer.mallette@ct.gov or 203-908-5827.

Spencer M. Mallette
Fisheries Biologist – Warmwater Program
Bureau of Natural Resources – Fisheries Division
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton, CT 06791
p: 203.908.5827 |spencer.mallette@ct.gov

You can access the full report at this link (and attached below):
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/fishi...6D42DD277E2670E
]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:48:11 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1855010#Post1855010 2023 fall trout stocking https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1844647#Post1844647 Mitch P.
on: 10/17/23 03:13 PM

Fall salmon stocking update:

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/News-Releases...almon-Stockings]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:13:46 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1844647#Post1844647 DEEP Announces Availability of Grants for Aquatic Invasive Species Control on Lakes, Ponds and Rivers https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1804459#Post1804459 Mitch P.
on: 12/28/20 05:12 PM

DEEP Announces Availability of Grants for Aquatic Invasive Species
Control on Lakes, Ponds and Rivers]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:12:58 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1804459#Post1804459 Fall trout stocking https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1801901#Post1801901 Mitch P.
on: 11/25/20 05:31 PM

From CT DEEP:

Quote:
Good afternoon,

I hope everything is well. As I promised last Friday, attached is a PDF versions of a press release issued on Tuesday, 11/23/2020, about our stocking of 490 Lake Trout last week into Winchester Lake, Coventry Lake, Tyler Lake, Squantz Pond, and Bigelow Pond.

The daily limit is five fish per day, BUT to help spread the catch out among as many people as possible, please only take the fish one will immediately use. If you go out to fish for a Lake Trout in CT, we want to hear how your fishing is going, both successful and skunked. Please fill out this very short form https://arcg.is/CzOHr after each fishing trip. We will not share your information with anyone; it will help us to evaluate this bonus fishery. Please remember we need to hear about each fishing trip, no matter the duration or success! From all of the completed surveys, we will randomly pick five folks to receive a free copy of the “Pictorial Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of CT” or “A Fisheries Guide to the Lakes and Ponds of CT”- you choose!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!
]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2020 17:31:29 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1801901#Post1801901 Lake drawdown info https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1801180#Post1801180 Mitch P.
on: 11/17/20 08:14 AM

From CT DEEP:

CANDLEWOOD LAKE (lake levels, safety buoys). Due to the ongoing drought, the lake level is somewhat below typical late October levels and the launching of trailered boats (especially larger boats) is difficult at the Lattins Cove state launch. The Squantz Cove state launch remains fully functional. Also, remember that the Candlewood Lake authority has removed the hazard, navigation and speed buoys for the winter. Boaters, especially those unfamiliar with the lake should use extra caution out on the lake.

COLEBROOK RIVER LAKE (boat launch). Due to low water levels the boat launch at Colebrook River Lake remains closed. Boaters can call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at 860-379-8234 for updated information.

QUADDICK LAKE (launch access). The state park gates were closed for the season to vehicular access on October 13, limiting access to the state park and state boat launch to walk-ins only.

WINTER DRAWDOWNS. In western CT: A deep (7-8 foot) drawdown of Highland Lake started in early October, and the state boat launch is now difficult to impossible for trailered boats to use. A 2-3 foot drawdown of West Hill Pond is ongoing. A drawdown of Lake Zoar was completed and the lake has refilled. Lake Lillinonah is currently drawn down with refill scheduled to begin on November 13, the launching of trailered boats from the Route 133 state boat launch will be very difficult and launching from the Pond Brook boat launch is likely not possible during this drawdown (refill should be complete late in the weekend).

In eastern CT: Drawdowns of Ashland Pond (3 feet), Bashan Lake (3 feet), Beseck Lake (3 feet), Billings Lake (3 feet), Gardner Lake (3 feet), Middle Bolton Lake (1.5 feet), Lower Bolton Lake (1.5 feet), Mashapaug Lake (1.5 feet) and Wyassup Lake (3 feet) are ongoing. A 3 foot drawdown of Hopeville Pond will begin November 15.

FISHING SEASONS. Anglers are reminded that the fishing season at several lakes and ponds scattered throughout the state closed November 1, most notably LAKE WONOSKOPOMUC, and SHENIPSIT RESERVOIR. Additionally, the fishing season at a number of areas including BUNNELLS POND (Beardsley Park), GREAT HOLLOW POND (Wolfe Park), LAKE MCDONOUGH, the MALTBY LAKES, LAKE SALTONSTALL, MOHEGAN PARK POND (Spaulding Pond, Norwich), and LAKE CHAMBERLAIN will close after November 30 and SAUGATUCK RESERVOIR will close after December 31st. (Please refer to the 2020 CT Angler’s Guide for complete regulations).]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2020 08:14:39 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1801180#Post1801180 Update on state boat launches Lattins Cove, Squantz Cove) on Candlewood Lake https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1795352#Post1795352 Mitch P.
on: 09/10/20 07:25 PM

Squantz launch is back to fully open.

Latins still closed until about Sept. 23.]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2020 19:25:05 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1795352#Post1795352 State of CT news release - drought status update https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1794343#Post1794343 Mitch P.
on: 08/27/20 01:46 PM

Attached is a press release issued by CT’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) this afternoon announcing an update on drought status for portions of the state. Also attached is a map showing affected areas.]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2020 13:46:28 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1794343#Post1794343 2020 Weekly Diadromous Fish Reports https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1790210#Post1790210 Mitch P.
on: 07/01/20 03:29 PM

Latest:]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:29:17 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1790210#Post1790210 ANNUAL FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1788073#Post1788073 Mitch P.
on: 06/04/20 01:54 PM

ANNUAL FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY:]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:54:48 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1788073#Post1788073