Recent Topics ctfisherman.com en-us Tue, 26 May 2026 09:05:42 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm 5 connecticutfisherman@gmail.com CT DEP Law Enforcement CT DEP Law Enforcement https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/images/general/default/rss_icon.gif https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm Regulation Jurisdiction Question https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1858581#Post1858581 MikeV
on: 12/27/25 07:53 AM

The possibility of quick resolution to the blackfish jurisdiction issue is gone. I had a family member that worked for the DEP. They changed jobs a couple of week's ago.
I will have to rethink my strategy. I will let you know what develops from here.

MikeV]]> Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:53:26 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1858581#Post1858581 Saltwater License Question https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1856409#Post1856409 John from Mystic
on: 06/23/25 07:49 PM

Thanks Mike and Jay.
John]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:49:40 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1856409#Post1856409 Question on overnight fishing weathersfield cove https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1854797#Post1854797 mattmann7
on: 02/11/25 09:30 AM

https://wethersfieldct.gov/content/398/

Phone numbers for essential services in town. Access to the lot is governed by PD.

I would question to the Police or Fire Marshall. They have a volunteer fire and they would be called in case of an Emergency. Knowing a lot of the guys on the volunteer including my nephew the issue is placing citizens in danger to perform an ice rescue. He works 2 jobs and has a newborn along with 2 other kids. His wife works as a full time first responder ambulance EMT. They are the people put at risk in the event of an emegency in the middle of the night. The town lost a volunteer fireman during the brush fire in Berlin and are on hightened awareness of the dangers when they leave work or home to respond. ]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:30:19 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1854797#Post1854797 Venison for sale? https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1854091#Post1854091 Bob Bradley
on: 12/29/24 06:48 PM

You could always do what an old friend of mine did whenever he needed venison for a game dinner...take a 6am drive up the Taconic Pkwy.]]> Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:48:52 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1854091#Post1854091 August 2023 DEEP enforcement https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1843859#Post1843859 Iuse2fish
on: 09/11/23 02:57 PM

I totally agree with you. That is where I saw people keeping everything that they caught and they were using salted minnows. English 2nd language if at all.]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 14:57:37 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1843859#Post1843859 Length regulation clarification please https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1837518#Post1837518 Capt_Jay
on: 12/29/22 04:38 PM

Originally Posted By: MikeV
The new boat is a Tidewater 198CC
Here are the details: https://www.tidewaterboats.com/198-cc-adventure.html

We (My son and I) will keep it at a slip somewhere (TBD) in Niantic or close by.

We are working on the slip now. We are both very much looking forward to the spring.

MikeV


Great boat, congratulations!!!]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:38:24 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1837518#Post1837518 Wildlife Management Areas https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1825528#Post1825528 SWMPYNKE
on: 01/02/22 12:58 AM

I have found them to have a nutty taste!!]]> Sun, 02 Jan 2022 00:58:55 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1825528#Post1825528 march 2021 Highlights https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1814903#Post1814903 No Fish Today
on: 05/29/21 09:00 PM

Thanks for all you do, and these updates!]]> Sat, 29 May 2021 21:00:55 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1814903#Post1814903 Feb 2021 Highlights https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1814646#Post1814646 EnCon Police
on: 05/26/21 10:49 AM

Western District Highlights
Fishing Enforcement
On February 25th, 2021 Encon officers received a complaint of “Illegal Fishing” on the Housatonic River following a social media post on Facebook. The posting which headlined, “Great day on the housy… My neighbor Jose’s first time bass fishing” and included a photograph of several deceased fish covered with ice. Complaints continued as social media ‘investigators’ were adamant that the fish were Striped Bass and author of the post was a “Poacher”. Upon inspection of the post it was determined that the author of the post was “trolling” to intentionally entice and upset people on social media. Furthermore, upon inspection of the picture it was identified that the deceased fish were not Striped Bass rather Striped Mullet which is not a regulated game fish.
On February 27th, 2021 at approximately 1900 hours, a Southwest sector officer was conducting Striped Bass enforcement of the Housatonic River in Shelton where they observed four males angling with rod/reel combinations baited with worms. Once the anglers were contacted, it was determined that they all lacked a valid Connecticut fishing license for 2021. Additionally, one of the anglers was found to have an active warrant out of Danbury. Enforcement action was taken on all four anglers for fishing without a license. The angler with the active warrant was transported and turned over to Danbury Police Department.
Park and Forest/Public Safety enforcement
On February 19th, 2021 Officers from the Northwest sector were requested to assist the Wildlife Division with an injured employee. Officers responded to the scene and extracted the biologist through the snow and brought him to a waiting ambulance. The biologist had torn his Achilles tendon approximately ½ mile from the road.
Sick/Nuisance/Injured Wildlife enforcement
On January 31st, 2021 into the early morning hours of February 1st, 2021, Western District officers were dispatched to Newtown for the report of a resident trapped in their home by an angry bobcat. When officers arrived, the bobcat could be heard loudly hissing and growling. The animal was located inside a storage room along the exterior of the home. The homeowner told officers that his dog may have had contact with the bobcat and blood could be seen splattered along the porch steps. When asked if he had direct contact with any saliva, the owner responded that he and his wife cleaned blood out of his dogs’ mouth and washed the animal down with their bare hands. When officers initially attempted to retrieve the animal it immediately lashed out and began attacking any object within range. Officers lured the animal from the storage room into an area with a safe back stop and dispatched the animal. The bobcat was then transported to the Connecticut Health Lab, Rocky Hill for testing, where it subsequently returned a positive result for rabies.
On February 6th, 2021 Officers from the Southwest Sector were dispatched to Waterbury to assist a resident who was trapped in her home by an aggressive raccoon. When officers arrived on scene, the raccoon was observed laying on the front porch of the residence. Upon closer inspection, the raccoon appeared to be in a state of active decay. The animal was writhing with maggots, missing its left eye and its paws were black, engorged, and leaking fluids. When officers attempted to capture the animal, it began to scurry along the porch. Officers were able to remove the animal from the property and safely dispatch it.

















Marine District Highlights
Fishing Enforcement
On February 4th, 2021 officers were checking several ice fishermen on Messerschmit Pond in Westbrook. Upon conducting a compliance check it was determined that each angler had 6 tip-ups each, but one angler failed to have his name and address on his tip-ups and related that he was aware of the regulations. Said angler was issued a written warning for the violation.
On February 11th, 2021 officers were conducting fishing compliance checks on Messerschmit Pond and observed two individuals actively ice fishing. Upon approaching the individuals, the officers detected the distinct order of marijuana and observed 12 empty Busch beer cans. One individual failed to have a 2021 fishing license and was issued a written warning for the violation. The second individual also failed to have a 2021 fishing license and was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Said individual was issued an infraction for fishing w/o a license. Due to the inebriated state of both individuals, they were asked to contact their father to arrange to come pick them up to avoid them operating their motor vehicle.
Park & Forest Enforcement
On February 5th, 2021 officers were patrolling Nehantic State Forest in East Lyme and observed a vehicle operating at a high rate of speed within the forest after sunset. The state forest is closed at sunset. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop and determined that the vehicle’s registration was cancelled. It was also determined that the vehicle did not have insurance and the operator had a suspended driver’s license. The operator was charged with hours of operation at a state forest, driving too fast for conditions, operation of a motor vehicle on a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle with no insurance and misuse of plates.








Eastern District Highlights
Parks and Forest/Public Safety Enforcement
On February 2nd, 2021 officers were dispatched to Higgnaum Meadows on a report of several individuals riding ATVs in the park. An officer was able to locate these individuals and found them to be illegally operating their ATVs. Both of these ATVs were unregistered, and the operators were subsequently issued infractions for this violation.
On February 6th, 2021 an officer was on routine patrol in Salmon River State Forest. This officer located tracks going from the paved roadway into one of the trails of the State Park. The officer followed these tracks and located a vehicle that was stuck in the mud/snow. The individual operating this vehicle had previously been cited for illegal dumping in the state forest. There were no indications of any other illegal activity other than using the trails in the park illegally. An infraction was issued to the operator for this violation.
On February 14th, 2021 an officer was on patrol in Salmon River State Forest. The officer saw smoke coming from an area where campfires are routinely lit. The officer found the source of the campfire and confirmed that an individual was illegally tending this fire. This individual was educated on the rules of burning within the State Forest and was issued a written warning for this violation.
Hunting Enforcement
On February 28, 2021 Encon officers along with troopers from the Connecticut State Police responded to a private game preserve in Killingly on a report of a hunter shot unintentionally. As a result of this investigation, it was determined that a couple of hunters hired a guide to hunt on this preserve with the intention of hunting game birds. Before their hunt began, one of the individuals unintentionally discharged a shotgun round that hit another one of the participants. The HRSI (Hunting Related Shootings Investigation) team responded to this location and assisted with the identification and collection of evidence. This case]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 10:49:46 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1814646#Post1814646 March 2021 Highlights https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1814644#Post1814644 EnCon Police
on: 05/26/21 10:48 AM

Western District

Fishing Enforcement:
On March 21st, 2021 at approximately 1800 hours, a Southwest Officer on fishing enforcement of the Quinnipiac River in North Haven, observed four anglers fishing the river along the tidal marsh trail. The officer observed one angler catch and keep a short Striped Bass in a blue cooler adjacent to their fishing tackle. The officer contacted the anglers and located four Striped Bass less than legal length concealed inside the blue cooler. The anglers all verbally admitted to catching and keep one undersized Striped Bass. During this investigation it was found that two of the anglers did not possess a valid Connecticut fishing license for 2021. The Striped Bass were seized and later donated to a wildlife rehabilitator for wildlife consumption. All four anglers were cited for fishing violations.
On March 30th, 2021 at approximately 2045 hours, a Southwest Officer on proactive Striped Bass enforcement of the Housatonic River in Shelton observed one angler fishing using a rod/reel combination baited with sandworms. Upon contacting the angler, it was determined they lacked a 2021 Connecticut fishing license. Adjacent to where the angler was fishing the officer observed three Striped Bass tucked inside the rocks along with a white plastic bag containing two more Striped Bass. The angler verbally admitted to catching and keep all five Striped Bass. The Striped Bass were all found to be less than the legal length of 28 inches and over the daily creel limit of one. The Striped Bass were photographed and seized to be later donated to a wildlife rehabilitator for wildlife consumption. The angler was cited for a variety of fishing violations.










Marine District Monthly Highlights
Park & Forest Enforcement
On March 21st, 2021 EnCon Police received a report of an illegal dumping in Cockaponset State Forest. Upon arrival EnCon Officers that several dressers, tables, and chairs were dumped in the forest area. As they searched these items, they were able to find a Walgreens Pharmacy bottle with an individual’s name and address on it who resides in Clinton. Officers went to the address and spoke with the individual who denied dumping trash. Based off their investigation they determined the subject was responsible, and the individual was issued an infraction for the violation.
Commercial Fishing Enforcement
During the month of March, EnCon Police have conducted several joint operations involving commercial fishing vessel boarding’s with the USCG Station new London.
On March 12th, 2021 EnCon Police were checking commercial fishing vessels in Stonington offloading fluke. One of the vessels was 60 pounds over the weight limit of fluke and was issued a warning for the violation. This offload was part of the dual landings summer flounder program. This same vessel was also given a warning in Rhode Island for not having the Owner/Captain on board while offloading summer flounder under the same program.
Training
Four Marine District EnCon Officers participated in a joint training initiative with the United States Coast Guard Station New London and NOAA Federal Law Enforcement along with several commercial fishermen and their vessels reviewing gear compliance measures, commercial fishing regulations involving trawls and lobster gear. This training was important on many levels and proved to be helpful in creating and re-establishing relationships between law enforcement and the commercial fishing fleet.





Eastern District Highlights
Parks & Forest Enforcement:
On March 3rd, 2021 an eastern district officer was dispatched to the boat launch at Beach Pond for an illegal dumping complaint. The officer located several items that had a name and address on it, and eventually responded to the residence of the subject. The subject admitted to dumping the materials at the boat launch and went back to clean it up. The subject was issued an infraction for this violation.
On March 11th, 2021 officers from the eastern district were dispatched to an ATV/Trike accident in Hopeville State Forest. Officer eventually located the collision site and discovered that the operator was deceased. CSP responded to the scene and assisted with reconstructing the accident scene. This incident is still under investigation.
On March 21st, 2021 officers from the eastern district were on foot conducting ATV enforcement in Pachaug State Forest. The officers located several individuals riding ATVs illegally, but the operators refused to stop. Shortly thereafter, one of the operators drove into a gate and sustained an injury. Officers located and assisted the operator with first aid, and the subject was transported to a local hospital. Once the investigation was completed, the operator was issued an infraction for operating their ATV in the State Forest.
Public Safety:
On March 24th, 2021 an off duty Encon officer was driving to his residence through the town of Hebron. The officer drove upon a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle whereby the operator had sustained significant life threatening injuries. The officer acted according to his training and applied a tourniquet to the individual thus undoubtably saving the operators life. Eventually, other officers from the eastern district and CSP arrived on scene to manage the accident. This case was referred to CSP and recorded as an assist another police agency.]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 10:48:01 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1814644#Post1814644